Having faces painted on your knees never really caught on, though I posted a pic a few years ago trying. Now, master tattoo historian Carmen Forquer Nyssen has sent this example. Thanks! Carmen maintains the best historical site on all things tattoo at BUZZWORTHY TATTOO HISTORY. Makes sense, as she is the Great Grand niece of legendary tattoo artist Bert Grimm, one of the most revered early artists of the genre. Carmen's site covers many other tattoo notables and her research is impeccable. Seriously serious work. Anyone with the slightest interest in tats (some 36% of all Americans) could spend hours on her site. Carmen has written numerous articles and is working on what will certainly be the definitive book on Mr. Grimm.
One can follow Buzzworthy Tattoo History HERE on Facebook. The website is HERE
Anonymous press photograph, circa 1925.
There were eight volumes of the incomprehensible Normal Union System of Industrial Drawing published by Sower Potts and Co. in 1878. There were dozens of private "textbook" publishers at the time who sold technical manuals to schools and individuals. The bulk of this one seems to be as simple as replicating simple designs in the blank spaces. The written instructions require a microscope to read! Obviously, our student didn't do very well, and upon failing it appears a younger sibling repurposed the pamphlet as a coloring book for watercolors. Both fail. A few pages of examples.
National Union System of Industrial Drawing (5" x 9") 1878 with watercolor embellishments. Collection Jim Linderman
Here today, gone tomorrow. Original photograph of Gullah artist Sam Doyle's house c. 1992 by Jim Linderman (bottom) and the same as seen in a cropped photograph by Roger Manley, I believe, from the early 1980s (top) A beautiful essay with considerable photographs of the environment are HERE on the Sam Seawright site.
"Cheer up" made by hand get well card by Ellen B. Moore-Morrill circa 1950.
Courtesy BOXLOT on Facebook.
The doorway to the Book Shack photograph by John Collier 1973 Free Press (Detroit?)
Candy Barr Stripped of Freedom 1957 photographer unknown, no source indicated
Pornography businesses line part of 66th Street N in Pinellas Park 1979 photograph by Barbara Hansen St. Petersberg Times
An interior view of the lobby office at the Geisha House which is a massage parlor and peep show at 414 West 42nd Street. The two gentlemen pictured are employees 1972 photographer unknown, New York Times
King's News raid 1961 photograph, source unknown
After some local residents complained and called the sign lewd and indecent, the North Hempstead Town Board asked him to add more clothes to the sign 1957 photographer unknown N. E. A.
Peep Shows 1953? Photograph by Knefel Chicago Sun Times
Vice raid 1957 photograph by Clarence B. Garrett The Sun Papers
New York minister holds news stand magazines that caused objections 1963 AP wirephoto photographer unknown
Customs officers check the books in preparation for burning 1964 photographer unknown Keystone Press Agency
Folk Art Shovel-Tailed Snow Snake Real Photo Postcard of Rice Lake, WI. "Largest one ever seen."
Collection Jim Linderman courtesy Curley's Antiques
The Church of God Jesus and the Holy Ghost by W.C.Rice, Alabama. Original photograph Jim Linderman
Large Folk Art Whirligig original snapshot c. 1950? Collection Jim Linderman
Collectors Joe and Lee Dumas discovered 156 carvings by Mr. Alten hidden in a backyard shack 30 years after his death. There were 14 hand built cages holding the menagerie in darkness since Alten passed in 1945. Collector Julie Hall wrote in the first catalog devoted to the work. "Alten's animals were "captured" in green wood cages with metal bars. It was apparent that, once Fred finished a dozen or so animals, he stood them in cages, and then permanently fitted the metal bars around them in a rigid wooden frame." "They were very strong, and I had to smash some of the animals to get them out…" Dumas is quoted in The Detroit News in 1986. It appears now this figure was one of them. I was told the tail was likely broken at that time. It also explains why the figure was photographed here (Country Living Magazine September 1986) on their shelves positioned with no tail showing! I also now have the tail.
Over the years, Alten's works have been added to many museums, some through purchase, others by generous donations. A dozen standard works on folk and outsider artists include his work.
Alten created his animals from several pieces of wood mortised together. Joined portions are seen here. He also often covered the carvings in wax while painting them and used a comb or pointed object to create a "hair" effect. A good portion of this has been lost since the little fella was photographed, but it has knocked around a good while. The puma was an orphan.
Shown here in Country Living Magazine 1986.
Puma Fred Alten c. 1920-1945. Wood, was, original paint. Collection Jim Linderman
Celebrity painters seldom amount to much.Red Skelton, Ronnie Wood, Sly Stallone, Miles Davis...even Tony Bennett. All great, but snubbed by the insular real art world. They painted when they should have performed. But we make an exception for Elke Sommer. Why? Because the art world treats women artists like crap.Sexism abounds. Painting is STILL seen as a hard ham-fisted manly activity.Think Jackson Pollock grunting over a floor-sized abstract, or Julian Schnabel bossing the city of New York into allowing his rooftop to exceed New York City limits. It helps if you are a troubled genius who drinks too much too. Well, Elke is neither of those, as far as I know..AND her paintings are FOR SALE HERE I think. Most seem sold, but I didn't click through too many. Give Elke Sommer some major love. Buy a Painting!
A nice group photograph of what appears to be a good portion of the town shucking the corn crop. Note remnants of outer leaves on the ground. I'm not sure how much work they got out of the two fellows lower right. I have to say they appear to have spent the day with corn liquor instead of shucking tools. Photograph by Lorenzo Short, Rondout NY circa 1905.
Pair of Vietnam-era amateur photographs. Love During Wartime is a continuing series on Dull Tool Dim Bulb the Blog. Collection Jim Linderman
A Vagabond Rat Hand Drawn postcard from a traveler.
Ohio dated 1906 (detail)
collection Jim Linderman
