On March 17, 2010 Matthew Jacobson wrote this letter to Rick Valicenti:
2010 marks the seventeenth anniversary of Number 17 and in honor of that I am putting together a book as a surprise gift for Emily Oberman and Bonnie Siegler, the two founders (so if you run into them, don’t breath a word!).
I’ve already emailed their friends, family, current and former employees, clients, etc. And I received a good deal of submissions, including from luminaries Paul Sahre, Stefan Sagmeister, Maira Kalman, Marian Bantjes, and Kurt Andersen. That said, I want to include “SEVENTEEN STRANGERS” (or at least people who are strangers to them, but whose work I really admire and know they do/or would as well).
Here’s the assignment, if you’re up for it …
You are invited to participate by providing your unique perspective on the actual number 17 (not the company). Do something unexpected, beautiful, smart, cool, quick, fun, serious, or any combination thereof!
Rick’s Response:
While his entry purposely has nothing to do with the number 17 it has everything to do with 17 years ago and another iconic partnership.
All memories of days gone by somehow seem to fade from clarity.