Graphic designer and gentleman Milton Simpson has published a new book which tells the story of a most unusual set of erotic folk art figures he found, his attempts to find out why they were created, where they came from and what they were used for! I know the work as the "Woodbridge Figures" but here is the story, told visually, and it is a good one! So, what's with this family? Great objects and with Milt's visual sense a beautiful book.
Mr. Simpson is already recognized for producing two of the most outstanding folk art books, Windmill Weights and the influencial Folk Erotica. To preview and order "So, what's with this family" CLICK HERE and you can also see the facsimile edition of Windmill Weights he has made available as well.
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Pure harmony as a group of nurses show their handmade constructions, crafts and creations!
Downey Studio Photograph, Indianapolis, IN Circa 1950? Collection Jim Linderman
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Here is a tip for you Lotharios out there. The women do love the little lovely gestures. I imagine Willie Strode here did all right. I don't mind being a cynic, as the times certainly call for one, so let's guess how many Victorian innocents were recipients of Willie's love card. A beautiful little calling card, and I am guessing Strode frequently had company in the calling room.
Yours Truly Please Answer
Victorian Calling (Love) Card of Willie Strode circa 1890 Collection Jim Linderman
DULL TOOL DIM BULB BOOKS AVAILABLE HERE
How simple? Every boy should have a Jigsaw and every yard should have a wooden bird.
Wooden Yard Folk Art Bird Circa 1940? Collection Jim Linderman
W.C. Williams Advertising Postcard collection Jim Linderman
Real Photo Postcard circa (NOKO, circa 1910?) Collection Jim Linderman
NOTE: ROBERT REEVES WINS A FREE DULL TOOL DIM BULB T-SHIRT for taking the time to point (and gross me) out...with his comment, true, as follows:
"Those guys have been killing the rats in the barn. (see 'em laid out in front? Dozens!) I saw it happen when I was a kid.)
Robert has a better eye than I, always has.
CLICK TO ENLARGE(Copyrighted by the publisher. No rights are given or implied. Presented here for historical significance, magazine fans and Disney collectors)A little treat for you Mouseketeers! A mint illustration from what is likely one of the few remaining issues of Screen and Radio Weekly, an insert to the Detroit Free Press of September 27, 1936. Obviously stored with great care, the newsprint, large format magazine is is wonderful condition considering newspaper pulp and age. Colors as bright as the day they were printed!Back cover of Screen & Radio Weekly September 27, 1936 Detroit Free Press Collection Jim Linderman
With a skeleton on top and a whole family of faces below, this is one wonderful pole. It was built in 1904, created for Matt Larkin on the northwest coast (possibly by the Haida tribe) but then altered upon arrival in Albany, New York. The skeleton on top was added, as were the gentlemen around the middle (friends of the owner, who it is said was "father of the jukebox" ) and mounted on the grounds of his Burden Lake estate.
No actual tribe is identified, but it is certainly what we might call a marriage of cultures. Possibly Northwest origins with touches of Northeast drinking buddies? As you can see in my worn postcard, it is huge, dramatic and preservation worthy regardless.The pole stood until 1958 when a storm brought it down. 20 years later it went to the Marian E. White Anthropology Museum, who received it in 5 pieces. The museum contains one million artifacts with a concentration on Woodland tribes such as the Seneca. Being a composite project at best, and a "genuine Native American fake" at worst, the totem pole seems to be an anomaly. Maybe that is why restoration has been taking decades...a low priority? But then the museum world moves slow...The biggest pieces are displayed in the museum, others are still being worked on.
The laborious process is documented HERE with a really cool picture of the pole you can click on to to check progress.
Anonymous Photograph circa 1935? Collection Jim Linderman