1st Edition
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Since 1837, the nameplate or vignette has been modified 14 times. However, two ever-present elements have endured: a steam locomotive and a sailing ship. And throughout most of the newspaper's history, they have been traveling in opposite directions. (Baltimore Sun)
The Sun 1839
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The rising sun with outstretched, finger-like rays, encircled by two goddesses, was first published on May 6, 1839. (Baltimore Sun)
The Sun 1840
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The newspaper's motto, "Light For All" first appeared in 1840 on a banner held aloft in an eagle's beak soaring over a sun. (Baltimore Sun)
The Sun 1852
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Since March 8, 1852, the eagle, symbol of the United States, has been perched atop a federal shield with 13 stars representing the country's original 13 colonies, of which Maryland was the seventh. (Baltimore Sun)
Sunpapers vignettes 1868 - 1928
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Many of the items in the vignette have been a constant since 1840, among them Themis, the Greek goddess of justice, who holds a sword in her right hand and the scales of justice in the other. A brush and palette are symbols of the arts and culture, while a beehive represents the state's industrial workers. A tied sheaf of wheat standing behind the beehive honors the state's agricultural community.
The Sun - 1983
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The vignette remained relatively unchanged until 1982 when then-publisher Reg Murphy ordered a study of the nameplate. A year later, the Murphy-era nameplate was introduced that featured a more simplified look. (Baltimore Sun)
The Sun 2005
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In 2005, a colorized version of the nameplate made its debut. The steam engine once again regained its balloon stack, while the steam- and sail-driven ship was shorn of its funnel. (Baltimore Sun)
The Sun 2008 to today
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In 2008, the vignette was redesigned, once again keeping stylized versions of the main elements of previous versions. (Baltimore Sun)