Howard Campbell Folk Art Collector and Collecting. A Piece I Won't Sell

As this is the fifth anniversary of the Dull Tool Dim Bulb Blog I thought I might revisit the very first post, from 2008, and a piece which still sits in my office.  I love it, of course, but that isn't the only reason it still sits next to me as I write this.  It sits here because the person I obtained it from told me to keep it.

Howard Campbell was one of the most interesting men I ever knew.  I'm not quite sure how to describe Howard, and those of you also fortunate enough to have known him will readily agree with me.  Let's see…a shock of white hair higher than a mountain?  Bare feet?  Bib Overalls, even in the most formal of places?  (Howard didn't go many formal places, if he could avoid it)  He didn't go to many places he couldn't be barefoot either…including his back yard covered in snow, which I myself saw him do several times without even a slight grimace. 

Howard was a folk art collector in the mountains of North Carolina.  A good one.  His house,  precariously placed atop a mountain, was for him a refuge, but for me a museum.  I cherish my visits there still. 

When Howard was a young boy, he visited a wonderland of small woodcarvings created by Earl Eyman of Oklahoma.  Eyman carved hundreds of tiny figures…you can see a few here I used to own, but Howard never owned any.  The house was a miniature museum of circus figures, baseball games, patriotic scenes and more.  He charged a dime to get in.  The Eyman environment was dispersed, and over the years I would find them at shows and such, love them for a while, and then trade them to Howard.  He loved them even more than I.  For me, an Earl Eyman carving was as good as cold cash at the Howard Campbell mountain museum, and I squeezed a few things out of it by dangling the little carvings in Howard's face over the years.  I got good at picking them out at folk art shows and such, and I did it for Howard.  No small feat, as the figures were tiny and their provenance was lost, having been dispersed and eventually tossed into boxes with more important things.  Two I found are here.  I found an astounding little carving of a woman holding a flag once, and Howard got that one too.  

When I met Howard for the first time, we shared another interest.  I had just quit drinking, and he was trying to.  I told Howard, who would mask his vodka in bottles of Mountain Dew soda, that I would always be there to help him if he wanted to chat.  I succeeded in quitting and have been sober a long, long time.  Howard didn't.   I don't think that is a secret either of us kept to ourselves really,  so I can share it here.  It was appropriate a decade or so after I met Howard, that many of the 22 boxes holding his collection of books on Southern folk art were sold out of cartoons which once held vodka and whisky bottles.  I don't know if it killed him, but it couldn't have helped.  My offer to help keep him sober may have ultimately allowed me to purchase the piece you see above.  It was one of Howard's favorites too, and he had a standing offer from me to purchase it whenever he was ready to sell it.  For YEARS.  And every time I visited and saw it there, the offer went up a bit, but he would wave me off.  To this day, although I never asked him, I believe he allowed it me to finally purchase it out of his own regret for failing to conquer the bottle.  After five years of my offers, he had two requirements.  One was the price, which was fair, and the other was that I never sell it.  People say that, but he meant it.  I won't ever sell it, and I have already moved it 800 miles once.

The piece is a handmade desk, dresser, chest, whatever with an attempted decorative scroll and the original mirror.  It dates to the late 1800's and was likely made by an African-American man who was a former slave who ended up in Tennessee, which is where Howard found it, and he told me so.  There is a name in pencil on the inside I have never even tried to research.

Howard Campbell was a brilliant man. That is an overused term.  It applies here.  Amy and Steve Slotin, auctioneers north of Atlanta who sold a large chunk of Howard's collection while he was living (to benefit the American Museum of Folk Art, as he wished) asked him to write his autobiography for their auction catalog.  A portion follows:

"I was always a collector. As a small child on our chicken farm in N.W. Arkansas, I dragged a horse skeleton out of the woods and tried to re-assemble it. The time was WWII. Mom and Dad were getting white rocks from hatchlings to broilers in seven weeks. I was dragging stuff out of the woods. I was an only; a self-absorbed/contained little kid. The parents (God keep them!) would ask me what I wanted for Christmas, birthday, whatever, and I would answer, “A little brother!” Because they had different rhesus factors it was 1947 before advancing medical technology gave it a chance. My little brother was born on Valentine’s Day in 1948. He and my sister-in-law don’t want any of this stuff! Being of sound mind and judgment, but realizing that a tree could fall on my head tomorrow...

But enough about me. Amy and Steve asked me to write some kind of bio-sketch that would emphasize my philosophy of collecting.

Philosophy, Schmilosophy! If it made me laugh, or chuckle, or snort, and it wasn’t too expensive, I dragged it home, where it was immediately lost amid the other junk...If it should affect others likewise, please bid and keep bidding! My poor widowed mother needs new shoes. That last sentence was a lie... My mother went to Heaven over five years ago. Like me, she hated shoes. Imelda Marcos she wasn’t.
Mom came close to being a Zen Master. She begged her children, grandchildren, etc. NOT to buy her ANYTHING for Christmas, birthday, whatever. And she meant it! I understand more and more what she was saying. Who wants to spend his last years dusting the bust of the deceased Duke?
It’s simply the thrill of the chase, or of the find, gentle readers. The money’s worth less (one Euro = $1.30) as I write. So keep bidding... 

An English gentleman (Thomas Rowlandson - borrowed from Hippocrates) wrote “Life is short, but art is long...”* Remember that and keep your paddles in the air. Your kids don’t need expensive Nikes, Converses, etc. either. They’re better off barefooted. Watching out for broken glass or dog doo will serve to sharpen their perceptions. Believe me, I know."


Well, that's Howard, and he talked like that too.  He was funny.  He was hilarious.  He could paint too, and while I can only find one online, it's a good one, a one-eyed dog and a young boy I believe is Howard.    I wanted one of his paintings too, but he never delivered.

Portions of the Howard Campbell collection of American Folk Art was exhibited at the William King collection in Virginia and the Hickory Museum of Art in North Carolina.  Once in a while, he would truck down some smalls and put them in an antique booth in Banner Elk, North Carolina.  He served in the Navy.  His bathtub was hand built of stones from around his house, and he listened to the radio, bluegrass usually, from a space taller than the towers which broadcast it.

Books and affordable ebooks ($5.99) by Jim Linderman are available HERE

Walter Main Circus Photograph in 1922 Collection Jim Linderman

CLICK TO ENLARGE Collection Jim Linderman No Use without Permission.

Original Photograph 8 x 11 1922 by Andrew Downes "Walter L. Main 1922" on reverse collection Jim Linderman

Art and Photography Ebooks by Jim Linderman ($5.99 Each) are available  HERE

Antique Handmade Sock Dolls Depression Era Make Do Folk Art collection Jim Linderman

Antique Sock Doll Pair circa 1930.  Good looking kids.  Each 14" tall, and each wearing two socks.  Collection Jim Linderman

Books and affordable EBOOKS by Jim Linderman are available HERE

Turn of the Century Well-Stocked Grocery Store

Click to enlarge (and shop?)  Might be time for a clearance sale.  You won't see a store like this anymore...the cops can't see in and watch the stick-up.

Original Photograph circa 1890 Collection Jim Linderman

Art and Photography books and ebooks by Jim Linderman HERE

Articulated Folk Art Man on a Pole Carved Toy Collection Jim Linderman

Monkey on a stick.  Handmade folk art toy circa 1920 Collection Jim Linderman

Books and Ebooks by Jim Linderman are HERE

Vintage Graphic Art of Murder Manilia Paper Tobacco Labels from Uncle Daniel and Oren Scotten of Detroit.

Early tobacco printing "mock-ups" on manila paper for the Uncle Daniel company in Detroit, Michigan.  The engravings are fragile, as manila paper tends to eat itself.   It is usually given to children for drawings, but in this case it was used, apparently, to draw up snazzy graphics to market carcinogenic dried weeds to unsuspecting, ill-informed and trusting naives...not that Uncle Daniel knew, of course.  The tobacco companies didn't start obfuscating what their product did to people until much later.

Daniel was Daniel Scotten.  He was the uncle of Oren Scotten, a precocious young man who entered the tobacco business at sixteen years of age.  By the age of twenty-five, he owned the whole show.  The American Tobacco Company bought him out eventually, making young Oren a millionaire and major land owner in Detroit.   Scotten, who passed away in 1906, is now buried, it is fair to say, along with each and every single one of his customers. 

Mr. Scotten, who was not required to place warning labels on his lethal product, was a highly regarded businessman.  He was an Elk, the fire commissioner for a time, an art collector,  an avid hunter and although you won't see him reported as such, a murderer.  

Group of "Uncle Daniel" Tobacco labels on manila paper, circa 1900.  Collection Jim Linderman

Moonshine Tableau Carved Whittled Folk Art Moonshiner

Moonshine Tableau Folk Art No Date Collection Jim Linderman

Buzzfeed picks 15 reasons New York City was Cooler in the 1980's and Jim Linderman is NUMBER EIGHT

Jim Linderman Hell's Kitchen New York City circa 1980  from BUZZFEED HERE
(SCROLL DOWN TO NUMBER EIGHT)

You NEVER Forget your first Airplane Ride! Real Photo Postcards from Argentina Collection Jim Linderman

Magnificent Argentinians in their flying machines.  A group of Real Photograph Post Cards circa 1920 - 1930.  I haven't explored the diffusion of real photo technology throughout the world (nor the use of goofy fun house photo props) but it would seem to be a field worth pursuing.

Original Real Photo Postcards from Argentina circa 1920 - 1930 collection Jim Linderman
See Books and Ebooks available HERE

Beautiful but Deadly Mid-Century Modern Kentile Asbestos Floor Products Salesman Sample Set

Beautiful but deadly.  Mid-Century Modern colors by Kentile, a Brooklyn based company which lasted nearly 100 years before asbestos forced them into bankruptcy.  Today, a search on the company turns up far more hits for respiratory disease then floor tiles, but you'll still find a few folks trying to match colors and patch-up the floor in the ping-pong room. 

Kentile had an eight-story tall sign visible from the Gowanus.  It rusts there still, I guess,  a reminder for product safety and essentially a gigantic memorial for the workers and homemakers who lived with Kentile.

By far the most popular and familiar Kentile floors were the dapple-like pieces shown in the ad below.  They epitomize the 1950s, but don't scuff your feet too hard and stir up the fibers.  Don't grind them up when you remodel either.  I think they were trying to create a vinyl marble, or a marbling effect. To me, the patterns define the era as much as the beautiful plywood furniture…and I grew up within a few miles of the Herman Miller company and my folks dragged me along to the now famous company tag sales, so I know.  Of course, even then, Kentile was the stuff you pulled up to create an even more modern look…or covered with shag.  You can connect with other trendy retro-renovators HERE
 

The colors in this salesman sample box have names as pretty as the colors.
Sagebrush
Burnt Orange
Bangkok Pink
Hot Canary
Avocado
Bristol Blue
Terra Cotta
White
Black



Kentile Salesman Sample Set of  Solid Colors Designer Palette Vinyl Tile No Date
Collection Jim Linderman

Jim Linderman Books (and Affordable Ebooks) are HERE at Blurb.com 

Want to see a "smart" woman and "wise" woman put floors down the easy Kentile way?

Folk Art Weathervane

Folk Art Weathervane 1904 Collection Jim Linderman

Samurai Preacher Joe Niijima Husband of Yae

Niijima collection Jim Linderman

Samurai runaway and stowaway Joseph Harvey Niijima,  "A Diamond of which the world is not worthy" is shown in this Japanese postcard circa 1900.  Niijima snuck aboard a ship to escape Japan, sold his swords and became a Christian educator and preacher after attending Amherst College in 1870. 

Apparently a scarce postcard.

Sound like a good story?  Samurai Preacher Reverend J. Niijima?  Japan network NKH TV thinks so…a year long historical drama (FIFTY episodes) will air on Sunday nights starting in 2013.  The epic will be titled "Yae no Sakura" with Ayase Haruka in the role of Niijima's wife Yae.

Japanese postcard, circa 1900 Re. J. Jiijima collection Jim Linderman

BROWSE and ORDER books (and affordable ebooks) by Jim Linderman HERE 

Bettie Page Wood Carving Folk Art collection Jim Linderman

Bettie Page Wood Carving

Amateur Carved Wood Tribute to the Queen of the Pin Up  Anonymous circa 1960
Collection Jim Linderman

Card Game Bride? RPPC Deck of Cards Wedding

Deck of Cards Wedding Party

I have no idea why this wedding party has participants dressed as a deck of cards, but maybe you do.


Real Photo Post Card circa 1900 Collection Jim Linderman

Lonnie Holley's Consistent Artistic Vision Review of Just Before Music

Those familiar with 20th Century self-taught artists, in particular African-American creators will be interested in the new CD of songs by Lonnie Holley on the Dust to Digital label.  Co-produced by Stephen Lance Ledbetter and Matt Arnett.  Lance of course co-produced the Grammy-nominated release Take Me to the Water with me several years ago, and Matt is of course from the Souls Grown Deep organization which published the mammoth (and essential) Souls Grown Deep volumes on Southern Black art which grew from the collecting and scholarship of Bill Arnett.

I first met Lonnie Holley 20 years ago, when he was living on (and in) a remarkable sculptural environment he created in Birmingham, Alabama…a massive jumble of rusted objects repurposed into sculpture, visions, lessons and mojo near the Airport.  While we spoke  (or rather, while Lonnie spun a continuous rap and I listened) he created a  hand-sized carving out of foundry sand with a nail file while a handful of his many children played in the nooks and crannies of his yard.  I left impressed but suspicious.  To this day I have considered Mr. Holly half-spiritual griot  and half carnival barker.  Both, in my book, are noble and valid.  Either way he is a considerable communicator.

I once made a list of all the known and prominent self-taught, or "outsider" artists who also sang or played instruments.  (A year ago, when Lance sent me a dub of one song here, I immediately asked in surprise "who is playing the piano" without thinking much.  Of course it was Lonnie.)  But Sister Gertrude Morgan, Henry Speller, Son Thomas,  S. L. Jones, Charles and Noah Kinney, Anderson Johnson, Howard Finster and Jimmy Sudduth all played some music.  It goes hand in hand…the creative impulse is cultural after all, and visual arts often come from the same place as musical.  They are one and the same in many ways.

Lonnie comes up with a handful of songs in perfect synch with his sculptural creations.  A contemporary praise singer of sorts.  There is a consistency in his vision which travels to his fingers, back to his eyes and now through his voice.  One voice.  He may claim he is the voice of his ancestors, or of the earth, but Lonnie is really his own voice built upon deep roots.  Musically, the disc is more than anything a pleasing groove,  Not quite the deep Alabama blues drone of Junior Kimbrough which came out of the Fat Possum hills, but you WILL hear descending phrases which sound like the bluesman,only here soft and almost jazz-like.  The lyrics are moods with repeated phrases as much as poems,  and all are what one could be called vintage Lonnie.  Consistent with his vision.

There is lovely packaging, of course.  Both Souls Grown Deep and Dust to Digital do that like no one else.  Holley writes the intro, and there is a ten page insert with splendid examples of his art as well as lyrics.  If you collect Dust to Digital releases, and you should, it is recommended.  If you are interested in the relationship between the visual and aural traditions of African-American culture, likewise. 

Dust to Digital continues to be the most interesting, entertaining and DEEP labels of recorded sound in business.  A striking video of Mr. Holley working follows:

Dukes UP Boxing Day Folk Art Boxers

Pair of Folk Art Boxers Boxing Toy  No Date Collection Jim Linderman

Carnival Ball Toss Target Figures From the Forties Collection Jim Linderman

 

A group of wooden painted sideshow carnival ball toss figures, circa 1940     Collection Jim Linderman

Keith Bernard Photographer Master of the Pin Up

 
"Unsung Hero of Photography" number eight hid his name, but he worked under one.  Keith Bernard was what he sold his glamor under, but his real name may have been Keith Davis.  The Glamor Photographers site says his full name was Marion Keith Davis, he was born in 1911 and passed away in 1981 still a slight mystery...but he left behind Betty Brosmer, praise the slick pin up lord.

Keith Bernard adopted the Bernard moniker from Bruno Bernard.  It worked for Bruno, after all.  Among his most notable subjects were Jayne Mansfield, and also the famous cover of Modern Man Magazine showing muscleman Joe Weider's wife Betty Brosmer.  Betty's chest to waist ratio was so magnificent, I'm not going to depress you by reporting it.  Joe is one of my personal hero figures, and not just because of Betty's figure.

Okay, I will. Betty Brosmer had an 18 inch waist.  She may still!  Take your two hands, put them together in a circle and you just about approximate Betty Brosmer's waist.  No photoshop.  The Gym.

Keith Bernard sold TWO HUNDRED MAGAZINE COVERS of Betty Brosmer.  For that alone, he is awarded the Vintage Sleaze Unsung Hero award!  His photos of Ms. Brosmer are some of the most incredible glamor photographs ever created, and if there is a library of men's magazines in a box when you get to heaven, head right to the one with Betty Brosmer done by Bernard.  Bernard has the brains to sign her to an exclusive, and he did her well.

The three (magnificent, IMHO) photographs on top, each 8 x 10, show the master at work with Patti Conley, who is ALSO quite a story.  Apparently, Ms. Conley earlier posed in bondage photographs (under far less glamorous circumstances) for somewhat demented fetish kinkster John Willie.  Don't look them up.  They look like true crime photographs and will creep you out.
 
However, if you want spend a pleasant few minutes typing Betty Brosmer into your friendly search engine, it might motivate you to get to the gym.  And yes, as far as I know, Keith whatever his name is took these all.



Three original photographs top, Keith Bernard and Pat Conley each circa 1955 Collection Jim Linderman

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