Black History Month original snapshot photographs from the book The Birth of Rock and Roll by Jim Linderman

Untitled (anonymous) From a set of ten snapshots, c. 1950-1960 collection Jim Linderman (From the book The Birth of Rock and Roll) #blackhistorymonth #snapshot #dance #vernacularphotography.

At the Circus. Vintage photographs of Circus Performers and Trainers from the Jim Linderman Collection

Most of these antique circus photographs have appeared on the Dull Tool Dim Bulb blog before, each with a story and some documentation. This post is just to look. Various 19th and 20th century circus photographs Collection Jim Linderman

Meet the Press Leatrice Joy Original Press Photograph 1921

I don't get to use the word exhuberant very often, but this "edited" for publication press photograph certainly is. Nearly more paint than photo. From the flowers on the bonnet to the stripped tie, there isn't a whole lot of honesty left. Leatrice Joy was a glamor celebrity and silent film star. By the time this photo was taken in 1921 she was well on her way to fame with dozens of short films to her credit. Her first films were shot during world war one! She also lived to the age of 91,passing away in the Bronx New York. Leatrice among those credited with popularizing the Bob haircut. Joy came under a considerable amount of flak at the time for being kinda manly or something, but the cut allowed her to play both young men and women in the films. Gossip columnists were big liars then and now, but she does appear to have been one tough woman who didn't take much crap. During 1921 Her films included half a dozen lost features. The following year she divorced big star John Gilbert citing his alcoholism. Original edited by hand Press photograph 1921. Unknown Washington DC News? operation. Collection Dull Tool Dim Bulb

Vernacular Photographs: Let Us Entertain You

Vernacular Photographs: Let Us Entertain You.  A few forgotten performers.  Original photographs collection Jim Linderman

Big Head from Clyde Beatty Circus 1962 original snapshot

Big Head from Clyde Beatty Circus 1962 original snapshot dated on reverse.  Collection Jim Linderman.

Plein Air Portrait Painters

Two aspiring illustrators apply their craft outdoors.  Enjoy the Summer!

Original Real Photo Postcard inscribed on the reverse with date 1912 and
Original Snapshot inscribed on reverse with date 1953.
Collection Jim Linderman
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Our Thanksgiving Snapshots came back from the Shop! Folk Art Installation ???

It was nice to have cousin Joey home for the holiday!


Snapshot circa 1940?  Collection Jim Linderman

Crap Shooting A PAIR (of photographs) Rolling Dice Found Photographs

We roll a pair of found photographs.  Two early snapshots of "Olie Pitching craps" circa 1950?  
Collection Jim Linderman

Speculation on a Found Photograph Pinup in the Office and Starting Anew

An anonymous boss seemingly creates a less than harassment-free work environment in this found photograph snapshot.  Let's examine it!

If I am not mistaken, the year on the pin-up calendar is 1945.  Squint.  Odd that the calendar has been placed OVER another poster, unless you consider it was the end of World War Two.  One way to celebrate the start of a fresh, war-free year?  Cover up the World War Two propaganda.  Then roll up your sleeves and get back to work.  Maybe this photo shows two "Rosie Riviters" out of dungarees and back to work at the office.

Not speculation, but old fashioned pin-up gawking reveals another tidbit.  The dame with nice gams was rendered by painter Rolf Armstrong, I believe.  

Snapshot circa 1945 collection Jim Linderman   
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Virginia climbs the Aeromotor windmill 1946

Virginia climbs the Aeromotor windmill 1946 Oregon
Snapshot embellished by hand collection Jim Linderman

1939 World's Fair Snapshot Photograph Album High Quality Unusual Subjects Vernacular Photography New York City

Unusually good snaphots of the 1939 World's Fair.  Also some lesser seen installations.  The Tree of Life  and the Town of Tomorrow Bungalow!  Monkey Mountain!  

1939 Photograph Album of the World's Fair Collection Jim Linderman
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Astounding Prison Polaroid Collection arouses Considerable Controversy

An unusual and remarkable archive of prison photographs have generated controversy.  Read the story HERE on the Prison Photography Website

Bathing Beauty in Cap with Decay, Abandonment and Rust. Guest Post

A lovely guest photograph by Anne Riepma, who is not only a follower of Dull Tool Dim Bulb...she is a friend.

"Say what you will about Instagram, but it has gotten me looking at things in a new way and I'm having lots of fun with it. I guess I'm making my own little digital footprint! I'm into decay, abandonment and rust."

Sent from my iPhone

Untitled (Reed's Motel) courtesy Anne Riepma

Snapshot of a Pin Up Reflection in Black and White Identified!

CLICK TO ENLARGE

 A pinup snapshot!  We can speculate. True love on the part of the shutterbug? An artist trying to document his painting in print? But guess what we need NOT speculate...as seen here, that the image comes from a 1952 issue of Esquire. Thanks to PROJECT B and Barbara Levine, vintage photography dealer extraordinaire for the snapshot. Thanks to Google and my well-trained eye for gams for solving my puzzle. Original Snapshot 1952 Collection Jim Linderman 

ORIGINAL BOOKS AND AFFORDABLE E-BOOKS BY Jim Linderman may be ordered HERE

Toothpick Apple Game Popular with Young Folks Dull Tool Dim Bulb

Pair of Original Anonymous Snapshots 1954 "Apple Toothpick Game) Collection Jim Linderman

Browse and Order Jim Linderman Art and Photography Books (and affordable ebooks) HERE

Tipped off to Tintypes and a Tip of the Hat to Robert E. Jackson

Pioneering  photography collector Robert Jackson wrote recently to tip me off to a few interesting tintypes available on eBay, so I bought them.  Mr. Jackson, who is largely responsible for the vintage vernacular photography field had his staggering snapshot photo collection documented by no less than the National Gallery of Art and Princeton University Press five years ago now with THE ART OF THE AMERICAN SNAPSHOT 1888 - 1978. The lovely book is still available and still essential.  When Robert told me "you can't go wrong" with the price on these photos, I thought the same about his book.  You can't go wrong.  It is 300 solid pages of extraordinary images and smart essays, worth every penny and more. 

As for the tintypes, they look mundane enough until you look behind the sitters.  My interest in tintype photography lies in the plight of traveling folk art portrait painters when they were replaced by the invention of the camera.  I attempt to prove they simply went on to paint backdrops instead in THE PAINTED BACKDROP: Behind the Sitter in American Tintype Photography.  As far as I know, still the only examination into what was in virtually every one of the millions of tintypes taken in a studio...a painting!  It is now available as an ebook for only $5.99, which is good, as the photographs look even better on your ipad.

Group of three tintype photographs with painted backdrops circa 1880 Collection Jim Linderman

A Scary Man in a Uniform World War One Scarecrow Collection Jim Linderman

World War One Scarecrow Collection Jim Linderman

Mabel loved a man in a uniform, so when she asked for a photo of her favorite, he of course replied, but it might have taken him a while.  Our World War One Doughboy had already turned his khakis into a scarecrow, thus protecting his sunflowers instead of his countrymen, and as far as I am concerned putting them to darn good work.  I am glad he survived the carnage. 


World War One Scarecrow snapshot, circa 1920  Collection Jim Linderman

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