Big Nipper the RCA Dog

Giant “Nipper” the RCA dog stands guard over the Kalamazoo Humane Society building in 1979. (Standing with him is my dog Crispus…RIP) Nipper was 150 pounds of fiberglass, and originally part of a RCA marketing campaign in 1950. Nipper has knocked around since… he was once stolen and thrown in a river. Apparently he has been restored, tucked away and makes appearances at various events since. Original Snapshot 1979 by Jim Linderman

Dr. Locke Famous Phony Faith Healer? Nah...Foot Doctor! 1933

I'm a little busy today, so no story, though I am sure there is a good one. Just a few real photo postcards of a "faith healer" at work who turns out to be a Canadian Foot Doctor. NOTE: This post is also on the blog old-time-religion, where miracles such as this occur on a regular basis.

Pair of Real Photo Postcards 1933 "Dr. Locke, Faith Healer" Collection Jim Linderman

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Bettie Page unseen amateur stereoview photographs c. 1955

When I was doing research for my now out of print book Camera Club Girls (mostly the story of Bettie Page and the plethora of women who posed for amateur photographers in the 1950s) one of the notable discoveries was a small group of anonymous stereoview slides of Ms. Page taken in the mid-1950s. They were largely unseen before, if at all. The group were sold in auction some 10 years ago. They were mounted in “Craftsman Guild Easy Mount” blank stereoview holders sold to hobbyists. The photographs were taken 1955 - 1958. Collection Jim Linderman and Private Collection .

George Laithwaite of Canada Concrete Sculptures Folk Art Environment

It’s the cement garden of George Laithwaite in Canada created from 1912 to 1952. At the garden, historical figures consort with figures from the Bible, Jack and Jill and Maggie and Jiggs. The masterpiece is depicted on my real photo postcard. It’s The Plough. The angry looking fellow is apparently the artist, while the figure behind the oxen team is the first Canadian Prime Minister Sir John Macdonald. The best source on the mysterious conglomeration of concrete figures is the book / pamphlet of Ralph Smith, fortunately available in full text online. Real Photo Postcard of The Plough by George Laithwaite c. 1940. Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb. A Laithwaite Legacy by Ralph Smith available in full at https://www.ruralroutes.com/8125.html

Halloween Antique Gauze Masks

A fine group of antique halloween masks. The story of the manufacturers is told on a post on the Blog with more pictures. Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb. Thanks and a tip "o" the mask to BOXLOT on Facebook. Full post is at https://dulltooldimbulb.blogspot.com/2016/08/vintage-antique-gauze-linen-muslin.html

Famous Monsters of Filmland the DRAWINGS submitted by a boy. Forrest J. Ackerman Private Collection

Original Drawings for Famous Monsters of Filmland Magazine submitted by a boy. Famous Monsters was started in 1958. These were contest drawings sent for publication in a "submitted by fans" section of the magazine. Editor Forrest J. Ackerman kept these for decades in his private collection. There are some 50 drawings revealing a young talent under the spell of prominent monsters(and monster films) of the 1950s and 1960s. Each drawing refers to a specific film. They were likely inspired by the numerous illustrations from press kits the magazine relied on for content. The works were drawn on 9.5 x 12 inch manilla paper. I created a blog which illustrates them all at the link here. All collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb https://monsters-of-filmland.blogspot.com/2024/10/

A Cactus Pebble Sculpture by Visionary Artist Ben Hartman Folk Art Environment

It’s Ben Hartman posing with a pebble masterpiece. I guess I would call it a cactus thingamajig for birds. Not only is his amazing environment saved, it looks fantastic! Original Real Photo Postcard circa 1930 Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb. See More at www.hartmanrockgarden.org #outsiderart #visionaryart #folkart #yardart #jimlinderman #dulltooldimbulb

Totem Pole Park in Crescent City CA is a bit of a mystery. There is little written about it. This, and a dozen other RPPC images of the place were taken by Frank Patterson, who worked the area with his camera 1920 to the 1950s. His archives are held at Oregon State University Libraries. There is a photo of the apparently non-indigenous artist in this 1941 issue of Popular Mechanics…but unless my eyes fail me they don’t list his name! The piece claims the artist made 2800 pieces with his Boy Scout ax, and that “hundreds of his samples can be seen…along highways of the west coast.” Well, I dunno. I posted another of his works (a gorilla in chains) on a previous blog post. The set of cards don’t reveal anything on the reverse. A few other carvings which make no sense are included. I believe the place is gone. Totem Pole Park formerly I Cresent City, CA. Painted Stump Octopus collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb. Other images from various sources.

Circus Carnival Back Half of a Zebra Man ? Original Photograph c. 1930

Bonus Post. Zebra and back half of a zebra man? Original snapshot c. 1930ish? Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb

Lillian M. Trafton Schoolgirl Folk Art Handmade booklet with Drawings c. 1900 Collection Jim Linderman

Four pages from the lovely handmade and hand drawn book of Lillian M. Trafton. I was able to find one girl with that name born 1892 in Massachusetts. There are eight pages of illustrations including the cover with original ribbon tie, but I scanned my favorites. Booklet made by Lillian M. Grafton c. 1900 Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb

Large Folk Art Sculpture / Bust.

Large folk art sculpture I've had around 20 years. I'm not sure how old he is, but the bark fell off not long after I found him and put him inside. 18 inches tall and as big around as a telephone pole. Carved Folk Art bust 20th C. Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb

Antique Folk Art Bird Whirligig

Antique Folk Art Whirligig. A simple abstracted bird original paddles. Circa 1940 or so. Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb

A real Yellow Submarine for One!

A real Yellow Submarine! It's only about ten feet long,looks homemade. I think Ringo could fit in. Yellow Submarine Michigan. Photo Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb

Apple Antique Die Cut Forms for cutting Victorian Scrapbook stickers

Apple Antique Die Cut Forms. Victorian lithograph paper “scraps” were originally sold in gummed sheets which had to be hand cut with scissors. A bit Later, factory cutting tools of razor sharp metal with wooden centers sheared them out. Two examples of apple cutters. There was no reason for anyone to dapple paint one of these apples…I don’t know if it was done in the factory or later for the antique aftermarket. The sticker scraps are still being made…Seen any apple computer stickers lately?

Moon Mullins and his little brother Kayo Folk Art Sculpture from Florida. RPPC

Moon and Kayo cartoon characters Moon Mullins and his little brother Kayo Mullins. Moon is my kind of guy, his name derives from Moonshine…during prohibition. Kayo is his little brother, named after a “K.0.” which is slang for a knockout punch. Tough guys with stogies and plenty of big schemes. They were created by Frank Henry Willard (1893 - 1965) The strip debuts in 1923 and ran for 67 years. An images of the fellas follows here with the real photo postcard from Sun City, Florida. A hand written note atop appears to date the figures to a 1947 trip to the Little Manatee River. I like their shadows too…must have been a sunny day in Sun City. Moon Mullins Real Photo Postcard 1947. Collection Jim Linderman Dull Tool Dim Bu

Goofy Mid-Century Drawing of a Man inventing the Internet

Check out this cool mid-century guy who invented the internet so he could look up teeth! Well…maybe he invented the iPad. An original drawing and an accompanying 8 x 10 photograph with a skull being investigated. Dated 1966, I think these could have been, like, patent drawings or something for the future which is here! Goofy drawing 1966 and goofy photo by visionary “Williams” with no other information. Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb

Visible Pumps and the American Dream. Petroliana Vintage Photograph

A photo of the American Dream. Note on the reverse indicates this is “Mother, Dad and Kay”. No location, but somewhere between places. Cities Service Oil Company started in 1910 and became Citgo around 1980. The gas pumps are a type known as “Visible” pumps which were the standard around 1927 until the late 40s. Mom made the sandwiches and I presume Kay added the blue. Original photograph c. 1930. Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb #gas. #petroleum. #petroliana. #dulltooldimbulb. #vintagephoto. #Visablepump

Bettie Page with Bangs and without Bangs.

From a scrapbook circa 1955 - 1960 it’s Bettie Page with and without bangs. There is no original source, but I believe the adjacent photos appeared in one of Robert Harrison’s magazines like Wink or Titter. Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb

Aunt Boo and her Dolls. Hillbillyana Real Photo Postcard collection Jim Linderman

I’ve had this RPPC of “Aunt Boo” for a while, and finally decided to learn her story. Turns out she was a member of Bob Burns comedy troupe rather than a poor, struggling Ozarkian. Several scarce Aunt Boo dolls are on the web. Each is identified by a printed label. I was sympathetic to the woman’s apparent plight of poverty…but it was a hillbilly show business ruse. In fact, I’m not even sure Aunt Boo was a woman. Aunt Boo was an associate of Bob Burns, the Van Buren, Arkansas favorite son. Bob specialized in what I today refer to as “Hillbillyana” but has also been described as “toilet humor” frankly. He was a radio “star” from the 30s and 40s. A Vaudevillian and a Minstrel. His most remarkable accomplishment was inventing the word “Bazooka”. Today a bazooka is a weapon, but the word originates from Bob! Back in the 1930s when Bob was performing, he invented primitive instrument made from pieces of pipe that he blew into making “Boo” noises. He held a copyright on the word! Not many of his bazooka’s remain today, as he often destroyed them in a frenzy on stage as part of his act. Sorta like Pete Townsend and his guitar. The best source I find on the real photo postcards is from the Pittsburgh Press of August 2, 1947. In part, it indicates a relative of Bob Burns ran a souvenir shop in Van Buren which sold “…pottery, cedar trinkets made locally, dolls, picture postcards of Grandpa Snazzy, Aunt Boo, Cousin Watford. They are real photographs posed by Ozark characters in make-up”. So I guess the real Aunt Boo was nobody. The Smithsonian holds a copy of the photo. Original Aunt Boo Real Photo Postcard c. 1940 Collection Jim Linderman. #rppc. #hillbillyana #Dolls. #ozarks. #dulltooldimbulb

Birdhouse Folk Art Environment Anonymous Real Photo Postcard c. 1940 (?) Collection Jim Linderman

Subdivision for Birds. Real Photo Postcard c. 1940? Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb #rppc. #realphotopostcard. #birdhouse. #dulltooldimbulb

Anonymous early folk art drawing "Are You A Princess" circa 1920 in Crayon

Circa 1920 anonymous crayon drawing "Are you a Princess" While crayons were invented around 1905, by 1920 they are in general use. Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb

Wooldridge Sculptures in Maplewood Cemetery photograph

A original period snapshot of the Wooldridge Monuments located in the Maplewood Cemetery of Mayfield Kentucky, along with an enlargement of same. Mr. Wooldbridge built them between 1890 and 1899, when he passed on. Then he was buried among the figures. Despite rumors the miserly lifelong bachelor took his money underground with him, the group lasted a long time. HIs horse here was named Fop. All the figures represent people (and pets) he knew. A storm broke nearly all of them in 2009, but they were repaired and the plot re-dedicated. Original vintage snapshot of the Wooldridge Figures. C. 1950? Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb the blog.

Victorian Spencerian Graphic Calling Card with a basket and rose

Victorian Spencerian Graphic Calling Card with a basket and rose. A very fine original hand drawn card with calligraphy. Colored by hand. One of two by Anton Weber 19th C. Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb #caligraphy. #basket. #callingcard. #Victorian. #Spencerian. #folkart

Justin McCarthy Nude by the Pool Watercolor c. 1930

Justin McCarthy “Nude by the Pool” c. 1930 Watercolor. Ex collection Tom Armstrong (former director Whitney Museum) Illustrated in Justin McCarthy Ute Stebich 1985 p.19 Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb the Blog #outsiderart

Folk Art Hand Carved Organ and Musician

Handmade Folk Art Organ and Player. I don’t know much about this hand carved figure playing his organ with LOTS of wooden parts…other than either he or the organ is an “RG. Detailed! Frayed wire would have plugged in the sheet music holder.10 inches wide. Antique Folk Art miniature Organ with Carved wooden player. Late 19th early 20th century. Collection Jim Linderman Dull Tool Dim Bulb #folkartsculpture #folkart. #miniature. #model.

Andrew Clemans Sand Artist original postcard 19th century Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb

The one of a kind sand art bottles of Andrew Clemens are well known to 19th century American Folk Art collectors. I recently found this postcard which indicates the artist was used by an advertiser! I am not familiar with any other folk artists (or sand artists) who were sponsored by a clothier…nor if the John Kramer company of McGregor, IA sponsored any others. Clemens was a good choice. He was a deaf mute living in the same town and his art is something to behold. He also took out his OWN ads in the local newspaper. Clemens would dig sand from the nearby Pikes Peak State Park (Pictured Rocks) and meticulously separate them by color to create his bottles. He made hundreds but not too many survive. Hence, very expensive when one is available. Clemens died at age 37. I do not know if this one still exists. Recently, as Antiques and the Art Weekly reported, a group of three bottles exceeded a million dollars. Original Postcard of Andrew Clemens Sand Art circa 1894 - 1900? Collection Jim Linderman Dull Tool Dim Bulb #folkart. #sandart. #dulltooldimbulb

Joe Chesnut Master Whittler and Wood Carver Folk Art Sculpture Real Photo Postcard

Joe Chesnut and his handmade train. Note large group of whimsy carvings lower right. Miniature tools, good luck charms, chain Real Photo Postcard dated on handcut sign. 1900. Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb #rppc. #realphotopostcard #folkart #sculpture #carving #dulltooldimbulb

Estorica and 7 Zephyrs Primitive Erotic Novels from Mexico in the 1950s.

Alas a project I may never get to, the photo-porn of 7 Zephyrs and Estorica Press. Remember the mimeograph machine? 7 Zephyrs Press was a primitive smut publisher working just over the border in Juarez and Tijuana, Mexico. By 1955, the modest business had published well over 200 individually numbered titles.  Each had primitive drawings to illustrate the deviant goings on. The company also ran a lending library!  One could RENT individual titles and trade them back. Buy one, read it and return for another. Each title was "cranked out" in editions of 100 or so and numbered like a set of prints. I collected the 8 x 11 ditto machine ditties 15 years ago hoping to share their contents once again, but times change and now google blurs the content. Alas. I have a list of 99 titles which were published! Primitive and scarce. Each has some 25 pages of homemade action to supply the American market…just like the drugs of today. Over the years I’ve wondered about printing my own limited edition book bringing back the highlights, but technology usurped the market! Assorted editions of 7 Zephyrs Press erotic novels. Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb

Justin McCarthy American Artist early drawing Skinanboan's. Collection Jim Linderman

Justin McCarthy 1891 - 1977 McCarthy’s works in a serial format were created not long after his release from Rittersville State Home for the Insane 1920’s and into the 1930s.The commercial use of the speech balloon was still fairly new at the time. US Newspaper cartoonists began telling stories in the form around 1919.Justin McCarthy at the time was attempting to sell patent drugs and remedies without much success. The patter of a marketer is satirized in this early piece. He would also draw humorous groups of small works and assemble them on pasteboard and showcard during the decade. This drawing is a good example of the artist’s humor and draftsmanship…often the protagonist resembles the artist somewhat. Untitled (Skinanboan’s Caster Oil Pills) c. 1930. Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb #outsiderart. #folkart. #artbrut. #JustinMcCarthy

A Vintage Mechanical Gag Postcard of a Cow and a Drawn by Hand copy! Both Mailed.

A pair of “mechanical” postcards, one printed and the other a bootleg! The gag is to pull down a strip of paper revealing the udders. Both of these were mailed, one in 1907 and the other in 1908. It didn’t take long for someone to steal the idea. A great example of an industrious copycat. Hand drawn example courtesy a friend. Pair of original postcards circa 1907-1908. one handmade. Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb the blog. #postcard. #novelty. #cow. #dulltooldimbulb

Lauren Leja Storywear at the Elusie Gallery in Easthampton, MA

Artist Lauren Leja expands the concept of the book and writing. Her incessant coating of objects with hand-written text is less about obsession than hard work and persistence. The result addresses concepts of context, story and object. I like it. For this show, sculptural objects are transformed with the written words of an institutionalized man to his brother. The work will be showing at the Elusie Gallery in East Hampton, MA with an opening April 11, 2024.

Rover the Folk Art Dog by Jim Linderman

This little dog holds a story and some advice. The dog, once named “Rover” passed through my hands 25 years ago. While in line for one of the (now) legendary Pier Shows in NYC I was chatting with a folk art dealer. We were both there early and sharing strategy. I said I always look at the small things first. He said he always looked at the big things first. Back then either strategy worked well. We both usually found things worth buying, as those were really great shows. It was the early 1990s and the perfect time to be shopping for whatever. Around the same time I went to one of the gigantic Atlantic City toy shows. It was huge, filling the cavern of the same place which held the Miss America pageants. There must have been a million toys on display. There among a pile of used Pez dispensers was the the little dog. I paid something like ten bucks. Imagine my surprise when I got home and consulted my library. There was my new little dog illustrated in the book “The All-American Dog: Man’s Best Friend in Folk Art” published in 1978. Obviously somehow Rover had gotten lost, shuffled and separated. I don’t have the book any longer…nor do I have the dog. I think I know who owned him before he ended up in a toy store but I’m not going to repurchase the book to help me remember. I in turn traded him to a departed folk art dealer hundreds of miles away for piece of equal value a few years later. He named him Rover and he was a great guy. Somehow decades later he appeared on the 1st Dibs website where he was again sold. We all sold too cheap. I don’t know where he is now. The lesson? Look at the small things at antique shows, and If you own a piece of folk art which has appeared in a book or show, put a label on him. Your dog could get lost. Photo of Rover from the 1st Dibs website. Dog now in a private collection somewhere. https://www.1stdibs.com/.../unusual-dog-folk.../id-f_519899/ Jim Linderman Dull Tool Dim Bulb

Easter. The Empty Tomb folk art environment of B. F. Perkins

Reverend B. F. Perkins was a veteran and a preacher. B.F. stood for Benjamin Franklin. He built this tomb in Bankston, Alabama near the Heartline Assembly Church of God where he preached. His concrete interpretation of the empty tomb has the open door and gourds for birds. Rev. Perkins was patriotic and steadfast In his belief. I have read that his 5 acre grounds of church and tomb are gone. B. F. Perkin’s Empty Tomb, early 1990s original photograph Jim Linderman

Herman Bridgers Repurposes a Coca Cola Slow School Crossing Sign

Artist Herman Bridgers of North Carolina created the astounding sculpture on the left (which I believe was a yard sentry) by repurposing a Coca-Cola “Crossing Guard” sign from the mid 20th century. Unfortunately the crossing guard (Slow School Zone) tin man has been reproduced and now turns up along with other crappy fake signs on eBay. No one will be able to reproduce the one Bridgers made (which is now in a prominent collection) Dull Tool Dim Bulb.

Antique Folk Art Drawing 19th on hand stitched fabric Young Woman and Man. Collection Dull Tool Dim Bulb

Young woman and man hand-drawn on stitched fabric,19th Century Folk Art. Signed on reverse Elsie Larue Moyer. Collection Dull Tool Dim Bulb.

Rattlesnake Sculpture from Texas.

On reverse “1090 Rattle Snakes represented in this design to be seen at Buckhorn Saloon. San Antonio, Texas” “Combination Design representing the emblem of American and Mexican Eagle Made entirely out of the Rattles of the Diamond Back Rattlesnake to be seen at Albert’s Buckhorn Saloon” and "Indian Heads" There were apparently 12 different post cards of the establishment sold as a set in 1920. They were subsequently republished by a different printer as well. These 1920, published by Nic Tengg. Rattlesnake sculpture. Pair of original post cards 1920 collection Jim Linderman / Dull. Tool Dim Bulb

World's Largest Last Supper made of Buttons ! Norman C. Engler of Arkansas

One never knows where a postcard will lead. In this case, to a rendition of the last supper made of buttons. Thousands of them! The piece is 88” x 30 inches. Created by master button artist Norman E. Engler. His son Peter Engler helped create a web page with a dozen of other creations, including a pioneer wagon train made of 25000 buttons! Original real photo postcard “Where-Away” Home of the world’s largest button mosaics collection Dull Tool Dim Bulb. Photo of Last Supper from Button Country website: https://www.buttoncountry.com/Z%20old%20site/MosaicIndex.html