Black History Month original snapshot photographs from the book The Birth of Rock and Roll by Jim Linderman

Untitled (anonymous) From a set of ten snapshots, c. 1950-1960 collection Jim Linderman (From the book The Birth of Rock and Roll) #blackhistorymonth #snapshot #dance #vernacularphotography.

The Birth of Rock and Roll Original Vintage Photograph

Original vintage photograph collection Jim Linderman 
From the Dust to Digital Book The Birth of Rock and Roll Available from the publishers HERE

The Birth of Rock and Roll Number Seven in the Dull Tool Dim Bulb Series snapshot collection Jim Linderman

Untitled (Dance Lessons?)  Undated original snapshot no date.  The Birth of Rock and Roll Number seven in the series.  Performer Unknown.  Collection Jim Linderman

Featured Image on Artbook D.A.P is The Birth of Rock and Roll

The Birth of Rock and Roll book by Jim Linderman is featured on the Artbook.com website.
HERE

Photographs from THE BIRTH OF ROCK AND ROLL book by Jim Linderman COMING SOON

THE BIRTH OF ROCK AND ROLL IS COMING SOON from
DUST to DIGITAL

The Birth of Rock and Roll (Number Two) Snapshot Collection Jim Linderman

The Birth of Rock and Roll Snapshot Collection Jim Linderman Undated circa 1960

Dutch Twins at the Tulip Festival Wooden Shoes in Michigan 1943

Two crisp 8 x 10 original photographs from the Holland, Michigan Tulip Festival, a show which persists to this day.  They both show the Baker Twins.  They are joined by friends for the second.  The Tulip Time Festival has been going on since 1929, and as these photos are from 1943, they weren't going to let Hitler's occupation of the real Holland stop the show. 

In 1928, The Holland city council bought 100,000 tulip bulbs from Holland and stuck them in the ground.  They come up every year, and so do buses of tulip fans.  

Holland, MI is super-conservative and super-religious. The "What would Jesus Do" wristbands originated there.  The city recently adopted a backwards anti-discrimination policy which specifically omitted the rights of LGBT citizens as well, but that will go away when they finally learn it's bad for business.  There are some level-headed progressives working to correct the situation, and 25 years from now I suspect the Tulip Festival will be more crowded then ever. I mean please.

"The Baker Twins" photographs, 1943 by anonymous.  Collection Jim Linderman 

You might also be interested in the coffee table book THE BIRTH OF ROCK AND ROLL
 

The Birth of Rock and Roll Number 8 Jazz with Guitar, Trumpet and Clarinet Snapshot

The Birth of Rock and Roll Number 8 in the series.
Original Snapshot circa 1935 collection Jim Linderman  Unidentified Musicians  

BRONZE THRILLS ! George Levitan Goes Black and Goes Smutty

Astoundingly, or maybe not...Bronze Thrills was published by a Caucasian.  George Levitan.  Not only that, Levitan was originally from the Upper Pennisula of Michigan and once said he never even saw a Black person until he was 18 years old,  according to Texas Monthly magazine in October 1983.  As a teen, Levitan moved to Detroit but he didn't stay long.  He moved to Forth Worth, Texas and bought the Good Publishing Company.  It was a good move.  Bronze Thrills was already being published, but George spiced it up a bit (as you can see)  more and commenced becoming a very rich man.

Not only Bronze Thrills (Breaking the Cross-Dressing barrier here with the story of a husband who got his kicks wearing women's clothes) but Hep, Jive, Sepia, Soul Confessions, Soul Teen and Soul Confessions.  A one-man Black publishing empire which was white!

That isn't to say George was a creep.  He hired African-American workers, trained them well, paid them well and promoted them to important positions.  Sure, the magazine was thrashy, but at the time there really wasn't much else for the race.  Soon his primary title, Sepia, was a moving force in the Black community.  He also helped raise funds for the United Negro College Fund. 

Issue of Bronze Thrills  "Thrill Girls: Men meant only sex and a good time to me" and "My Husband was a Transvestitie: He got his kicks from wearing women's clothes"  December 1966 Issue  Original  Collection Jim Linderman

THE BIRTH OF ROCK AND ROLL book available HERE

The Birth of Rock and Roll Number Six in the Dull Tool Dim Bulb Series Collection Jim Linderman

The Birth of Rock and Roll Number six in the series.  Original publicity 8 x 10 glossy photo by W. M. Byrnes June 1956!  Performers Unknown.

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Scarecrow from 1939 World's Fair Penelope Shoo Protects New York Wheat Garden

Miss Penelope Shoo. "The Scarecrow of Tomorrow" stands over the only wheat field in New York City.  The wheat field lasted 68 years.  Miss Shoo (as is SHOO, birds…SHOO! ) stood over the field of wheat that Continental Baking and their product Wonder Bread planted for the 1939 World's Fair.  In front of the field was a building designed by Skidmore & Owings. 

Penelope Shoo was created by mannequin maker Jean Spadea, and at least one of her costumes was a fashion design by Hattie Carnegie.  When she was removed (or stolen?) in 1930, folks wondered where Shoo went.  She was STOLEN by pranksters from Columbia University to be used at the Columbia / Princeton football game.  The anonymous thieves returned her, sans arms, to Continental Bakery.  A color film from 1939 which documented Penelope is HERE.

Original snapshot 1939 "Penelope Shoo" collection Jim Linderman
Books by the author available HERE
The Birth of Rock and Roll by the author available HERE

Chief Paul Protects the Public from Peep Show Perversion Second City Smut Vintage Sleaze Midget Movies

Chicago citizens will sleep better knowing the pin-up peep shows have been unplugged by Chief Investigator Paul Newey. Since there was no other crime in the second city on this day in 1959, Chief Paul invited the press over to see his collection of confiscated coin-op smut. Paul's pursuit of the peep shows was crime-bustin' action of the highest order. To celebrate (and convince the public Newey was on top of the situation) he flicks his ashes on the filthy coin slot in distain!

Original Press Photograph (8" x 13") Unknown Chicago Paper 1959 Collection Jim Linderman

Order THE BIRTH OF ROCK AND ROLL HERE

Books and Downloads by Jim Linderman Available HERE


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Blues in Brooklyn African-American Mug Shots from the Collection of Jim Linderman

Real Black gangsters, I guess.  Criminals from the 1950s, but presumed, I am afraid, guilty until proven otherwise. Given attitudes, practices and institutional racism when taken,  these sharp-dressers might have been just walking to work.

Striking Photographs, each near 8" x 10" and each handed back and forth from lawyers, prosecutors, file clerks and now collectors. Another reminder that the photograph was a tool and a physical object which developed surface, wear and form as it aged.

Jim Linderman's newest book of photographs is THE BIRTH OF ROCK AND ROLL and is available from the publisher DUST TO DIGITAL, AMAZON, BARNES AND NOBLE AND OTHER FINE RETAIL OUTLETS.     

Vintage African-American Magazines Hot Black Romance

Black romance! Other than the dynamite duo of Jet and Ebony from Johnson Publications in Chicago, African-American magazines are surprisingly scarce, which is why the examples I pick to show here likely will not look familiar. Smaller circulations, segregated neighborhoods, institutional racism (did YOUR public library subscribe to Jive?) and other reasons account for their rarity. Plus, museums and serious collectors are now purchasing them to compensate for their earlier neglect. Unless you find a box somewhere, you might expect to pay 25 to 50 bucks apiece and more for a mint condition black romance magazine from the 1950s and 1960s...if and when you can find one.

Group of vintage African-American Romance magazines collection Jim Linderman

SEE and PURCHASE DULL TOOL DIM BULB BOOKS HERE

THE BIRTH OF ROCK AND ROLL AVAILABLE HERE

Halloween with John Spicer of Brooklyn. Snake Suit and Demon Dress all in worsted wool

The John Spicer company, a factory actually, was located in Brooklyn.  It started in 1888, and this catalog dates to around 1915, I believe.  The Halloween "body dresses" were made of worsted wool. 

John Spicer catalog circa 1915 Collection Jim Linderman
See also the books below by Jim Linderman

ECCENTRIC FOLK ART DRAWINGS OF THE 19TH AND 20TH CENTURIES

THE BIRTH OF ROCK AND ROLL

Moonshine served HERE Moonshine Party TONIGHT!

Moonshine party!  Original Snapshot no date. The best song about the powerful brew is, of course, that sung by the legendary Possum....George Jones.  For related images of inebriated joy and passion set to music, see the new book THE BIRTH OF ROCK AND ROLL available from Amazon, Barnes and Noble and the publisher  Dust to Digital

CDV Photographer Trade Card Salesman Sample Photographica collection Horton Grand Rapids Jim Linderman

 

Photographer O. W. Horton of Monroe Street in Grand Rapids Cleans his Studio.  Circa 1855.

Orsamus W. Horton was one of the first daguerreotype photographers in Grand Rapids, MI.
Later he created Stereo photographs.  In 1916, on his passing, he was referred to as "Grand Rapids First Photographer" and was also the first to install a skylight.  He was also known as "Practical Photographer" and listed his location at "Foot of Monroe St."

Original Carte de Visite Photograph circa 1855 Collection Jim Linderman
Order THE BIRTH OF ROCK AND ROLL HERE

Order ARCANE AMERICANA HERE

Browse and order Books and affordable Ebooks by Jim Linderman at Blurb.com HERE
 

NIGHTCLUBBIN' Club DeLisa and the Fifth Avenue Ballroom. Roving Club Photographer on the Scene

 

Three crusty photographic remnants of the Black and Tan club scene!  The Club DeLisa photographs quite likely taken by master photographer Samuel Simmons.

Three original club photographs with original sleeves circa 1950 Collection Jim Linderman
The Birth of Rock and Roll Book by Jim Linderman available HERE

Obverse and Reverse Will You Sleep With Me Jac? Please?

Vintage Sleaze the Blog comes and goes without warning.  It is currently on hiatus, but this couldn't wait. Original watercolor circa 1940 and reverse Will You Sleep with me Jac? Please? Collection Jim Linderman  Stay tuned to Dull Tool Dim Bulb the Blog for upcoming projects.  Thanks. Also of interest, The Birth of Rock and Roll is available from Amazon HERE and Dust to Digital HERE.

Old Folk Art Hand Painted Wooden Signs Antique Collection Jim Linderman

A Pair of early 20th C. (circa 1920) painted by hand folk art signs advertising F. E. Slater's store.  The signs were preserved by being used as shelves in a cupboard for nearly 100 years.  Four pieces, total size of the two signs is 42" x 24". They were likely topped with "distance indicators"  before being placed near the road.
Western Michigan origin.  Collection Jim Linderman

See also Jim Linderman BOOKS The Birth of Rock and Roll and more.