Quote and Credit

Quote and Credit

CLICK TO ORDER OR PREVIEW JIM LINDERMAN BOOKS

The Saddest School Autograph Book Handmade and Brutal





Not only is this depression era autograph book handmade, it appears a brother and sister had to share it.  That would be sad enough, but the signatures indicate neither were exactly the most popular kids in class.


Cropped like a Corset Photographic Manipulation before Photoshop


Here a vintage photograph takes away some curves in an early example of photographic dieting (which shows women have been presented doctored up earlier than one might think.) Actually published photos have been lying all along.  (See my earlier post "Pictures always lie".) Never mind that this photo was likely used to advertise a nightclub performance for men...it is deceptive and as we have long known, demeaning.  One reason I like to tell stories with vernacular photographs is that the professional ones always deceive.  We have always taken it for granted, I guess.  Guess what I just learned?  Advertisements lie too! 

Slim made slimmer for publication vintage photograph, circa 1950.  Collection Jim Linderman  See information on new photobook THE BIRTH OF ROCK AND ROLL HERE.

Blues in Brooklyn African-American Mug Shots from the Collection of Jim Linderman






Real Black gangsters, I guess.  Criminals from the 1950s, but presumed, I am afraid, guilty until proven otherwise. Given attitudes, practices and institutional racism when taken,  these sharp-dressers might have been just walking to work.

Striking Photographs, each near 8" x 10" and each handed back and forth from lawyers, prosecutors, file clerks and now collectors. Another reminder that the photograph was a tool and a physical object which developed surface, wear and form as it aged.


Jim Linderman's newest book of photographs is THE BIRTH OF ROCK AND ROLL and is available from the publisher DUST TO DIGITAL, AMAZON, BARNES AND NOBLE AND OTHER FINE RETAIL OUTLETS.     

Trompe L'oeil Drawing with Real Photo Postcards circa 1910 Collection Jim Linderman



An unusual miniature Trompe L'oeil drawing seems to depict Real Photo Postcards circa 1910.  Trompe L'oeil drawing is intended to "trick the eye" into seeing three dimensional objects rendered in painted or drawn detail.  This miniature drawing shows three real photo postcards atop the cover of a book.  As such, it represents how RPPC images had become common objects early in the 20th century, and also that they were familiar enough to be used by visual artists.  Gems by the Wayside was a collection of religious and domestic poems published in 1855 by Lydia Odell Baxter, an invalid bible student and writer who passed away in 1874. I find no information as to when volume 2 was published.  The signature of the artist is illegible.  The book is only 3" x 4" and the post card "on top" is only 1.5" x 2.5".      Circa 1910 Collection Jim Linderman

Old Folk Art Sign STAR Greenhouses Big Rapids Collection Jim Linderman





Old Folk Art Sign STAR Greenhouses Big Rapids. 55" x 16"  The operation apparently burned down in the 1940s.  Plywood with cutout letters and original paint circa 1940  Collection Jim Linderman

Antique Folk Art Sculpture of a Running Man Articulated Carving




Man in a hurry.  Interestingly, his arms move but his legs do not.  He's suspended and stuck!  Folk art carvings are usually frontal and frozen, but this fellow is late for the train.

Anonymous folk art sculpture collection Jim Linderman

Rubber Pin ups for your Drink Glass Complete Set Miss Pin-Up



Rubber Pinups for your Drink Glass.  Miss Pin Up must not have been successful, as I find nothing about her (them) on the web.  They wiggle like bait!  
Miss Pin-Up erotic novelty drink hooks Modern Sales Co.  Collection Jim Linderman

Antique Folk Art A Calligraphy Pen becomes an Extension of an Arm



A Calligraphy Pen becomes an extension of an arm in this early and primitive exercise.  I am sure sometimes it felt like that.  Today, I can't even use a pen too long without my hand betting sore.

Calligraphy penmanship exercise. "Cigars"  Collection Jim Linderman