First African-American Armed Cross Dressers with a Guitar Pose for the Camera collection Jim Linderman

First African-American Armed Cross Dressers Pose for the Camera?
Even though I suspect the gun, holster and guitar are studio props, you have to GIVE props to this African-American couple who had the nerve to exchange clothes for the photo.  It is a man and a woman, as the gentleman in drag has an Adam's apple.  The RPPC dates from 1910 to 1930.  If they are not using props, this could have been quite a team, musical or criminal.  A rare, tough image with lots of cultural resonance today.  The first cross dressing African-American photograph, even if done for the photographer only?

Real Photo Postcard with Azo Back circa 1910 - 1930  Unknown location and photographer.  Note on reverse  Collection Jim Linderman

ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY BOOKS by Jim Linderman (AND $5.99 EBOOKS) are available HERE

Fun at the Midway Funny Foto Studio Playland at the Beach Collection Jim Linderman

Fun at the Midway Funny Foto Studio Playland at the Beach Collection Jim Linderman

Larger than Life Folk Art Clay Head Sculpture Antique

Twice life size folk art clay head.  Built up on wood base.  No date or signature
Collection Jim Linderman

World War One Straw Human Decoys Fake Encampments with Cannon collection Jim Linderman

  Strawmen peer to the sky for enemy planes.  A fake encampment

Real Photo Postcard circa 1920 Collection Jim Lindertman

Fat Man Going to Work (Literally, THE Fat Man) Carnival Photograph collection Jim Linderman At the Circus in Black and White

Fat Man Going to Work  (Literally, THE Fat Man) Carnival Photograph 1958
collection Jim Linderman

Pair of Jesus Fraktur Drawings and Prayer 19th Century Collection Jim Linderman

Pair of Jesus Fraktur Drawings and Prayer  19th Century Collection Jim Linderman

Antique Erotic Folk Art Sculpture Carving Baleen or Bone Carved Cigarette Holder Nude Woman

Antique Erotic Folk Art Sculpture Carving Baleen or Bone Carved Cigarette Holder Nude Woman Collection Jim Linderman

Pig Effigy Folk Art Sculpture Carving

Pig Effigy Carved Folk Art Sculpture Collection Jim Linderman

Trained or Chained Pair of Horse Riding Monkeys 1944 At the Circus in Black and White

Riding Monkeys Original Snapshot dated on reverse 1944 Collection Jim Linderman
I have posted some 40 images in the AT THE CIRCUS IN BLACK AND WHITE series.

Camera Era by Barbara Levine and Martin Venezky the Book

A beautiful little bound bundle of visions arrives by mail, a gift from pioneer vernacular photography collector Barbara Levine.  Camera is both catalog and book tied to an exhibition running now through Mid-May in Houston and a wonderful stocking stuffer for summer socks! 

Only Ms. Levine has the noogies (and has earned the rights) to name a book and project simply Camera Era.  She is one of the most important and prominent (thankfully) champions of the found photograph.  That this volume comes at a time when vernacular photography is finally being appreciated as something special is appropriate, as Barbara had much to do with the field being recognized.  Yes, there is a market for these once common, now extinct beautiful physical objects with surface, form,  wear and age.  There are images and there are photographs. 

Photographic images created digitally are void of much and will never achieve the same legitimacy or authenticity to me…digital images are mere pristine bits and bites which do not really exist.  Photographs bend and wear. It is how they show love.  

Camera Era is as much a book of photos as it is the standard photographic accoutrements.  Love notes, captions, lays to photograph claim and directions for appreciating an image from the long gone souls who took the originals.  Labels.  Quotes.  Arrows.  A comely young woman is labeled HOT DOG!  and the scribe is right.  I recognize at least one photo which has traveled the world wide web without her permission, Barbara now being the legitimate owner of it by her claim.  Finders Keepers, Finders Sharers.  Show Barbara some love.

Barbara Levine has a blog HERE which tells more about the book.  A slim volume big in punch.  Learn More about Barbara HERE.  Camera era is HERE.  Barbara is one of my heroes. 

Best Crayon Exercises Original Crayon Drawings collection Jim Linderman

The most popular crayon is of course Crayola, which were introduced in the early 1900s.  It didn't take long for them to be incorporated into artistic endeavors.  These come from a sketchbook circa 1910.  

Original Crayon Design Drawings circa 1910 collection Jim Linderman
BOOKS AND EBOOKS BY THE AUTHOR AVAILABLE HERE

Kicking Mule Antique Folk Art Sculpture

Kicking Mule Folk Art Sculpture  Collection Jim Linderman

Hopalong Cassidy Keeps Riding

Hopalong Cassidy (and Topper) keep riding eight years after the television show ends.

Anonymous snapshot 1962 collection Jim Linderman

Watercolor Vase by T. Mckeown (watercolor vase) 1912

Untitled by T. Mckeown (watercolor vase) 1912
Collection Jim Linderman

Wee Man or Trick? A Fine Example of Early Trick Photography

A FINE Example of early (if primitive and rudimentary) Trick Photography  
Anonymous photograph, circa 1935 collection Jim Linderman
Books and Ebooks by the author are available HERE

Civil War Era Mourning Papercut Folk Art Collection Jim Linderman

Civil War Era Mourning Papercut Folk Art Collection Jim Linderman

Crap Shooting A PAIR (of photographs) Rolling Dice Found Photographs

We roll a pair of found photographs.  Two early snapshots of "Olie Pitching craps" circa 1950?  
Collection Jim Linderman

Speculation on a Found Photograph Pinup in the Office and Starting Anew

An anonymous boss seemingly creates a less than harassment-free work environment in this found photograph snapshot.  Let's examine it!

If I am not mistaken, the year on the pin-up calendar is 1945.  Squint.  Odd that the calendar has been placed OVER another poster, unless you consider it was the end of World War Two.  One way to celebrate the start of a fresh, war-free year?  Cover up the World War Two propaganda.  Then roll up your sleeves and get back to work.  Maybe this photo shows two "Rosie Riviters" out of dungarees and back to work at the office.

Not speculation, but old fashioned pin-up gawking reveals another tidbit.  The dame with nice gams was rendered by painter Rolf Armstrong, I believe.  

Snapshot circa 1945 collection Jim Linderman   
BOOKS AND $5.99 EBOOKS BY THE AUTHOR AVAILABLE HERE

Boy Scout Vintage Folk Art Sculpture Pharrell Williams and Baden Powell

By all accounts, bright star of the year is Pharrell, and his recent performance on the Grammy show with NILE RODGERS, praise be to him...was a sensation.  Pharrell is a genius and I am glad to be sharing time and space with him.  He appears to be, literally, one of those performers we are lucky to have while we are here.    But while his hat is from Vivienne Westwood, I think Robert Baden Powell created it.
Original Relief Carved Boy Scout Folk Art Carving Collection Jim Linderman

Boyscout Photo from Wikipedia
Pharrell Photo Red Bubble HERE

Best Bulldog Vintage Folk Art Dog Sculpture

Vintage Bulldog Folk Art Sculpture carving no date Original Paint Collection Jim Linderman
Books and $5.99 ebooks for iPad available HERE