Tricks and Traps of New York City 1857 1858 by Brainard Illustrations by Holcomb and Davis Rare Book Scams and Bye-Hours

Some of the illustrations from the rare book Tricks and Traps of New York City published in 1858 by Dinsmore and Company.  The 62 page booklet was written by C. H. Brainard and illustrated by Holcomb and Davis, who also did the drawings for The Drawing Room Dances, and/or one Hoppin who I know nothing about.  Big cities were at the time dirty, unsafe places.  Some still are.   Additional books in the series were to be published including Tricks and Traps of Seducers (Both Sexes) and Tricks and Traps of Politicians (Both Parties) which indicates the publisher was one of the first somewhat  exploitive printers of books.  Who could avoid the titillation of a book, presumably illustrated, showing seducers in action? 

The book was sold for ten cents.  I have located two copies held in special collection libraries, but absolutely no copies for sale.  A copy of the book is available in the Internet Archive HERE but they have left out the illustrations.

I am too smart to fall for any of these ruses, so I guess I am accepting offers for the book.  You will still see tourists falling for the tricks discussed within on the streets of Manhattan.
Be aware of "Bad Hours, Bye Streets and Bad Liquors...you should be all right. 

Tricks and Traps of New York City booklet collection Jim Linderman

Greil Marcus on Jim Linderman The Birth of Rock and Roll Dust to Digital 2015

I am honored more than I can describe by the review Greil Marcus provides on his Real Life Top Ten  column HERE on B&N.  

Miniature Folk Art Coffin Sarcophagus collection Jim Linderman

A miniature Folk Art Coffin or Sarcophagus said to have been made by a sailor who worked with the earliest British examinations of mummies.  The first modern day investigations began in 1901, which is probably where the date for this small folk art sculpture should be set.  Original paint.  Notice amateur "hieroglyphic writing" around paper figure on the left.  The paper remnants are original, and I think the mummy is as well.  I haven't unwrapped him, but something is in there.  

19th century handmade coffin with mummy collection Jim Linderman

Rural Life and Humor circa 1910 Anonymous Folk Art Naive Drawings collection Jim Linderman

A group of drawings by an anonymous artist circa 1910 depicts rural humor from the agrarian United States.  Note Two-Headed calf, racist depictions, a tornado and animal life.

Anonymous Folk Art Drawings circa 1910 Collection Jim Linderman

Policeman Orders to STOP HERE FOR HOT NUTS Folk Art Standing Figure

Stop here for Hot Nuts  Real Photo Postcard circa 1950 Collection Jim Linderman

Album of Fine and Unusual Folk Art Calligraphy by Children c. 1940 Collection Jim Linderman

Taking the doodle and curlique to the standard of calligraphy are these selected pages from an album of children's school drawings done during World War Two.  It is Spring.  Collection Jim Linderman.

Ephemeral Folk Art Sculpture of Sand and the Baby Parade of Ocean City New Jersey Original 1932 Snapshots Collection Jim Linderman

Ephemeral Folk Art Sculpture of Sand and the Baby Parade of Atlantic City New Jersey.  Two snapshots dated on the reverse 1932 taken during the annual Baby Parade.  The sculptures are made of sand.  Sand sculpture has a long tradition on the Jersey Shore, but these certainly transcend the genre.  Not seen, off to the side, would have been the artist (or artists) and their tip bucket. 

The Baby Parade was a Ocean City tradition which started in 1901.  It was just that...babies in stollers.  By the 1950s the event had grown to participants and viewers in the thousands. 

Note sign on second photo?  The Baby Parade is advertised, but the sand sculptures here could have been done in Atlantic City, but  the current Ocean City website shows a sand sculpture on their home page.  Ocean City and Atlantic city share the ocean and are only a miles from each other.

Anonymous snapshots 1932 Collection Jim Linderman

The Strangest House in the World : George Daynor Fights (the) Depression Vernacular Folk Art Environment

The Strangest House in the World : George Daynor Fights (the) Depression.  New Jersey resident George Daynor stands before his muck house in 1939.  Press photograph with caption on reverse.

Some "outsider" artists who build environments are shy, but Daynor was Howard Finster with an even bigger bent for attention.  An early fame whore.  He used his junk-made Vineland environment to attract visitors and fame.  Here is an excerpt from Wiki:

"George Daynor claims that he was guided to New Jersey by an angel, who provided the design for the palace. Completed on Christmas Day 1932, the palace was built on 7 acres which cost him seven dollars. Daynor said that his palace was "the greatest piece of originality ever brought about in the history of Man." He would charge 25 cents for a tour.
Daynor was a publicity hog and claimed to be "the most photographed man in the world." After Peter Weinberger was kidnapped on 4 July 1956,  Daynor called the FBI and falsely reported that the kidnappers had visited the palace. The FBI followed the false claim and Daynor was imprisoned for a year.
The Palace of Depression was linked with another disappearance, that of William Ebenezer Jones III, who went missing in 1962; the grounds of the Palace of Depression were dug up, but no body was ever found." 

Not much of the joint left...only the ticket booth.  Plenty about George and his Palace of Depression on the Web, but I don't see this pic.  Wikipedia is HERE

Press photograph 1939 Collection Jim Linderman

Giant Cat Folk Art Yard Art Tree and Root Sculptures

Giant Cat Folk Art Yard Art Tree and Root Sculpture snapshots.   Unknown location, unknown date.  Collection Jim Linderman

19th Century Folk Art Sculpture Trade Figure of a Woman collection Jim Linderman

19th Century Folk Art Sculpture Trade Figure of a Woman collection Jim Linderman  Original Paint 42" tall with carved arms, shaped figure.  Two Sided.