Now available in eBook for $5.99
THE PAINTED BACKDROP: BEHIND THE SITTER IN AMERICAN TINTYPE PHOTOGRAPHY by Jim Linderman
The
previously untold story of 19th century painters and their influence on
American photography during the tintype era. Never before examined in
detail, the book contains over 75 rare, unpublished original tintype
photographs from the Jim Linderman collection. A Grammy nominated writer
and collector who has been called "the perfect subject for a Harvey
Pekar comic" this book is informed with Linderman's wit and continues
his examination of previously overlooked art and photography subjects.
80 Pages, 8' x 10" with essays by Jim Linderman and Kate Bloomquist. ORDER HERE
"All games have morals; and the game of Snakes and Ladders captures, as
no other activity can hope to do, the eternal truth that for every
ladder you hope to climb, a snake is waiting just around the corner, and
for every snake a ladder will compensate. But it's more than that; no
mere carrot-and-stick affair; because implicit in the game is unchanging
twoness of things, the duality of up against down, good against evil;
the solid rationality of ladders balances the occult sinuosities of the
serpent; in the opposition of staircase and cobra we can see,
metaphorically, all conceivable oppositions, Alpha against Omega, father
against mother." Salman Rushdie Midnight's Children. Random House. p. 160.
Common Cardboard Snakes and Ladders game, no date, no manufacturer Collection Jim Linderman
Women Outlaws Seduce the Innocent. Ladies of the Lurid West!
Women Outlaws. A "golden age" comic book, which means before the government decided kids should read Casper the friendly ghost rather than lurid crime from the Wild West OR downtown. Whatever. None of these were as bad as what is found through a gaming console today, and kids are even lazier, more sullen and more surly now. Kefauver's censorship worked for a time, as the comics learned how to "self-patrol" with the comics code logo…but the kids are just the same, only worse!
Sure enough, one of Women Outlaws was used as an example for Fredric Wertheim's expose Seduction of the Innocent. And no wonder…check out one of the woman outlaws being served justice. Still, I was a juvenile delinquent, and all I read was the Hardy Boys!
Some kids are going to test the rules, Fredric. No matter what they read. Plus now that I recall, the boys were always bullying Chet, the fat kid.
One of these issues (the one with what seems to be Marshall Dillon's platonic girlfriend and implied whore Kitty from the Gunsmoke TV show) is currently listed on eBay for $600, so these have to be pretty scarce. One website puts the first issue at $900.
Who READ these? Little sisters who wanted their own action tales? Let's face it, "romance" comic books for the girls were horrible. Every single story was the same. Guy with a buzzy haircut meets a girl, there is some confusion (usually Buzzy has to fix his car and forgets to call) and the last panel has them swapping rings. Happy ending. It gets old, even to impressionable young readers being socialized into accepted forms of happy women consumers. So maybe some "branched" out into hanging branches?
I guess they do strike a blow for women somehow…and Annie Oakley was a role model for tough girls.
I really think Dad read these. Illiteracy rates were reported as less than 4% back in the 1950s, but I think that was propaganda to show the Ruskies we were superior. In fact, I think it was many times that, and even higher today. Imagine how many returned soldiers wanted books with pictures…and a little bright colored excitement from the wild west (with dames) would have been perfect.
Below is a great one…all smudged up with age and rotten acid pulp and more…yet still so great the seller is asking the price of dinner for it. It looks like "Dot" signed her name on it, so maybe girls did read them!
Comic Book guys are, by the way, WAY too hung up on condition. All things age, especially cheap comic books. Get over it. Live with the wear guys…art is supposed to change over the years through use and appreciation. Let your comic books breathe.
Women Outlaws was published by the Fox Feature Syndicate, who also published "Crimes by Women" and for some ungodly reason, a comic called "General Douglas MacArthur (which adds some support to my theory the consumers were slow readers from the Greatest Generation.) There were only a handful of issues.
The best site (and most information) is found on the FANTASY INK website, a place which also links to many things comic book. It is edited by Tom, who doesn't provide his full name but should. Nice stuff. Further information is available on WESTERN COMICS ADVENTURES. More information on Dr. Wertham and his curious mission is found HERE on Seduction of the Innocent the website, which is devoted to finding every damn comic book the good doctor was shocked by.
Books and ($5.99) ebooks by Jim Linderman are available HERE
The guy here stole MY picture of MY little cabin from the web and is using it to promote his business! He didn't even ask. 25 Grand! Mine cost 6 Grand. He HAW. If he had credited my photo and cabin, I'd help him. On the other hand, his voiceover does call me "a progressive individual." Progress on the inside is shown here.
Folk Art Sculpture Carvings. Lacking Pitchfork. Collection Jim Linderman
Musical Knapp Family of Michigan Real Photo Postcard Collection and Juke Box Hits
More on the family HERE. Collection Jim Linderman
BOOKS AND EBOOKS BY THE AUTHOR AVAILABLE HERE
Did you ever wonder where all those novelty carnival photographs of people looking silly sticking their heads through holes in a photography studio? Here's the answer. Georges!
Novelty Photograph in original sleeve George's "Fat Boy" Photos San Francisco, CA No Date
Collection Jim Linderman
After considerable thought, I've decided to go with Sleestak.
Handmade Sleestak Mask (Epoxy Resin, Corduroy, Paper Mache, Paint) circa 1975
Collection Jim Linderman
It has been a while, but here is At the Circus in Black and White number 34, the latest installment of the series here on DTDB. Animal Trainers! Top is Buckles Woodcock, Elephant trainer extreme. Second is an unknown Dog Trainer.
Others in the series are found HERE
Snapshots circa 1959 collection Jim Linderman
Books and Ebooks by Jim Linderman available HERE
Not to worry, this RED real photo postcard from the early 20th century isn't glowing from radiation despite being produced by the Radium Studio in Muskegon. Some RPPC images were printed on red paper (or on paper tinted red) to indicate warmth. This is a perfect example, as the gent is reading by the warmth of a fire. A discussion figuring out the process is HERE on the Post Card Collector site.
Radium Photography, an unusual name for a company, is still in business! They were founded in 1909 and for over 100 years have been providing service to the Western Michigan area! See their website HERE. Imagine the number of images a century old company has produced.
Undated RPPC in red Collection Jim Linderman
Books and ebooks by Jim Linderman are shown HERE
Thinking of a few corn cobs hanging on the outside door for Halloween? Beat This.
"Today" panel made of natural colored grains WORLD'S ONLY CORN PALACE - MITCHEL S.DAK D. Grigg Pix Co. No Date (circa 1940?) Real Photo Postcard
Collection Jim Linderman
No date, but a nice photograph of the "glory" days of burlesque. Note folk art dapple-painted piano at left and performer slugging hooch.
Original photograph no date Collection Jim Linderman
Antique Folk Art Whirligig Sawing Wood Man. A whopper...23 inches tall. This would have been quite the sight on a windy day when intact.
Whirligig Fragment Collection Jim Linderman
A tintype ghost. "A bad Victorianish" painted backdrop has through wear become a ghastly apparition over this bloke's shoulder!
I spent five years looking "behind the sitter" in every tintype I could find putting together my book titled "The Painted Backdrop" available in easy $5.99 ebook form, ahem, HERE. I still can't break the habit. Which is fine, as the backdrops are often far more interesting than the people. In this case, particularly so.
$5.99 ebooks by Jim Linderman available HERE.
Some serious poundage from the Great Depression! How four brothers managed to put on so much chunk when the rest of the country was struggling is beyond me, but here they are. Look close at the upper right and you'll see they are standing in front of a bakery. That might give us a clue. Fat cats.
GRILS??? That one is easy, our fat-fingered typist meant "Girls" certainly.
Why the Girls Leave Home? Hmm. A song title, at least twice. Once in 1914 and again in the 1940s. I'm not sure if it has anything to do with the photo.
Books and ebooks by Jim Linderman are available HERE
Original Snapshot 1933 Anonymous, Collection Jim Linderman
Vintage Folk Art Handmade Tiger Mask (Go Tigers) Circa 1950 collection Jim Linderman
The Detroit Tigers are in the playoffs and need my support! The rest of the city? Well...it's a little more complicated.
