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.

Back to School Drawings. Students from the 1950s draw the Family at Dinner collection Jim Linderman

Well, the assignment is "My Family at Dinner" and the paper is manilla. I like to think of these drawings as being on the cusp of perspective. Being only an amateur scholar of children's art, I can't evaluate these much, but it appears ta few of the artists might need a bit of attention. C. 1950 Children's drawings from a classroom, ages up to 11 years old. Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb

I'm Not at the Outsider Art Fair Paris 2019 Edition post Anonymous Drawings of Startled 1950s Women

A surprising group of drawings by an anonymous west coast shut-in at this point known only as Ms. Daisy.  Each is 9" x 12" and there are hundreds. Each drawing has the date created on the reverse and most have a weather report!  (Cloudy today, sunny and hot, smog, etc…)  She lived into her 90s, and while institutionalized drew one every few days from 1952 until tapering off in the 1960s.

I have never had such a large group of work consecutively dated. The artist's work improves a bit over the years, but each retains this rather stark, naive singular look. One note in the reverse indicates "there is a convention on television so we can't watch our programs" leading me to guess these are an assortment of entertainers, soup opera stars and models of the 1950s.  Another note reveals workers are "removing the trees across the road." Only a few are identified by name but many could be identified.

I cannot say if the artist had training, or if the results were produced through practice. There are no duplicates.  Hundreds of 1950s women, each which reflect the times and the persistence of the artist. The overall effect of a dozen lined up is wonderful.

I will scan a few more soon. 

Six anonymous (Ms. Daisy?) Drawings of women 1957 - 1958.  Collection Jim Linderman

You might also enjoy the book Eccentric Folk Art Drawings: Obscure Drawings of the 19th and 20th century, a 250 page book of similar discoveries available from Blurb.com in softcover or an affordable ebook.  The link leads to a ten page preview and ordering information.  Thanks!

A few of the other outsider art fair posts are available HERE

Antique Folk Art Cat Carving Sculpture Playing Card Suit Reminder.

Antique Folk Art Carving Sculpture Playing Card Suit Reminder.  Original paint with a subtle reminder that even while playing games, it is hard to escape the current political situation.
Collection Jim Linderman

Toy Walkie Talkie set made of Cardboard and String c. 1950

Toy Walkie Talkie set made of Cardboard and String  c. 1950  Collection Jim Linderman

Vintage Folk Art Valvoline Hand-Painted Sign Easy Flow Oil c. 1950 Petroliana

Original vintage Folk Art Valvoline Hand-Painted Sign Easy Flow Oil c. 1950.  I heard that Frank Fritz and the American Pickers are coming to Michigan.  Got this JUST IN TIME!  Pretty unusual to find a painted by hand petroliana sign, and whoever made it designed his own logo!  He even remembered to paint the V upside down when letting the oil out. 

Antique Folk Art Valvoline Hand-Painted Sign Easy Flow Oil c. 1950 Collection Jim Linderman

Folk Art Sculpture Vintage Red-Headed Woodpecker

Folk Art Sculpture Vintage Red-Headed Woodpecker Collection Jim Linderman
Books and Ebooks by the author HERE

Life Size Folk Art Horse Mask with Shag Carpet Mane

Folk Art Horse Mask. The title here pretty much says it all.  Over 20 inches tall with nearly enough shag carpet to line the van.

Horse Mask circa 1970 Collection Jim Linderman

BOOKS AND AFFORDABLE EBOOKS BY JIM LINDERMAN ARE AVAILABLE HERE

Confetti on the Floor Salesman Samples for the Basement Retro and Modern at the Same Time!

When I was a lad, one of these was the entire basement floor…I scuffed them up playing ping-pong down there.  Retro madness confetti floors of asbestos from the Matico Company and their line of "Aristoflex" floors.

I am a big fan of paint chips and floor samples.  For one thing, they are the only thing free at your local Home Depot.  They are also fantastic for art projects, and they look great on the shelf.  Unfortunately, you can not get the asbestos ones anymore…but I guess that is a good thing.


Group of Salesman Sample Flooring tiles Matico 1957  Collection Jim Linderman
BOOKS AND EBOOKS BY JIM LINDERMAN ARE HERE

The Eldoras Delicate Act of Balance A Different Novelty colllection Jim Linderman

It is a delicate "balance" of art, skill and athleticism as one of the Eldoras avoids looking up the skirt of the other Eldora.

The Eldora's (sic) A Different Novelty Real Photo Post Card Undated (circa 1940?) Collection Jim Linderman

Ebooks ($5.99 Each) available HERE from Blurb.com

Vintage V African-American Weaves Wigs and Hair from Howard's of Harlem

Some SERIOUS Black wigs from just after World War Two.  And since hair is a serious subject for most African-American women, I am not going to even attempt much an essay here.  I do remember walking through the book fair on 125th street (where these images came from fifty years earlier) and it seemed every publisher, large or small, had a title devoted to women of color and their hair, wigs, weaves, hats and the culture around it.

There is also a serious amount of weaves in here, including  "crispy hair transformations and biscuit side puffs"  along with a considerable group of the necessary tools.  Beautiful essentials for already beautiful women.

My only other observations are the "V" for victory style,  which makes sense after the war,  and that from what I can tell "Howard's of 125th Street" was in business well into the long-overdue "Black is Beautiful" era of the late 1960s and beyond. 

The splendid artist, alas, is unidentified in the catalog, which is a whopping 44 pages. At one time Howard's owned a copyright on the phrase "Re-birth of Charm" though I don't think the women who received this catalog in the mail ever lost theirs.

Rebirth of Charm spring 1946 Catalog  Coiffures Created by Howard's New York City  44 page Pamphlet 5" x 7" Collection Jim Linderman 

BROWSE and ORDER Books and affordable Ebooks BY JIM LINDERMAN HERE at Blurb

Sparks Withington Says Suck on THIS Deluxe Tube Television!

Screw your flat screens, man.  Here is a tube you can enjoy without even turning on what passes for news and entertainment today.  NO wonder they call it part of the designer series.  It has a record changer and a radio as well.  Fake flowers and what seems to be a fake Buddah extra.

It appears Sparton was a Sparks Withingon manufacturer in Jackson, Michigan.  Founded in 1926 as a radio company, they were one of those who spent more on the box than the guts.  Like the reputation Magnavox used to have among audio purists (who, back then, were called "Hi-Fi Guys" and spent their time pouring over Lafayette parts catalogs.  I think Lafayette was absorbed into Radio Shack, who is trying to rebrand as the hip "SHACK" but it won't work.  They'll all close up too.  Who wants to go to "The Shack" when you can sit on your increasingly wide rear and order online?

Anyway, This box rocks.  They produced until around 1956, about when this beauty was made.  It was so good it put them out of business. 

Sparton Three-Way Imperial TV Chassis postcard Collection Jim Linderman.

DELUXE!

See Jim Linderman Books and Ebooks HERE

Folk Art Ventriloquist Head collection Jim Linderman

Vintage Folk Art Ventriloquist Dummy Head Wood, cork and paint.  Circa 1940 Collection Jim Linderman

Of related interest is I'M WITH DUMMY: Vent Figures and Blockheads  Vintage Photographs from the Jim Linderman Collection (Book and Ebook $5.99 download for Ipad HERE)

Real Cowgirls Vintage Photographs collection Jim Linderman

Cowgirl Costumes collection, circa 1950 - 1960 Jim Linderman

To send a free postcard from the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame go HERE

To see some cowgirls who grew up...sorta...go HERE

Preview or Purchase Jim Linderman books and Ebooks HERE