A "stitch by hand" religious card. Most commonly known as "sewing cards" these were primitive pre-printed versions of 18th century samplers. Their function was to encourage a young woman to learn a proper home skill with a bonus moral lesson. "For God and Home and Native Land" was a slogan of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union and the white ribbons printed on the thread frame represent purity. The Reverend W. F. Crafts had a long career arguing for censorship, "blue laws" and such, his wife advocated Sunday School and wholesome pursuits as this card. Dated April 1903, one could subscribe and receive four cards a year. Publishers Ward & Drummond printed Mormon books among other religious material.The Law of Love Temperance Lesson Hand-Stitched 1903 Collection Jim Linderman
Forgive me for recently forgetting the birthday of Chess McCartney, the Goatman, who settled in Georgia after decades of travel across the country with goats pulling his wagon. By all accounts, his approaching town was announced by clanging pans and bleating animals, followed soon after by his pungent odor.Free Thinking Christian Mission Headquarters of Chess McCartney The Goatman RRPC c. 1957 Collection Jim Linderman
NOW PUBLISHED IN BOOK FORM! Link HERE
NOTE: Shy Shamed Secret Shadowed Hidden blog was closed by the provider. Too Hot for the Web!!! Sample images, the essay and other material from the site is posted HERE
In light (and in honor) of Tiger Woods rejoining the PGA tour after grueling physical therapy on his power knee, thereby giving meaning to my Sunday afternoons again...I thought it appropriate to provide instruction for your OWN course, no greens fees required. By the way, Tiger has donated over 22 million dollars of his winnings to charity, and his Foundation has distributed many millions more. He won't tell you, but I will. There ARE heros today, and one of them can hit a 300 yard drive any time he wants to.Backyard Golf Course instructions c. 1960 Collection Jim Linderman
Well, here are 30 Cincinnati jobs taken away by digital film. (Not to mention the fellas who worked in the dark, stuffy room where your orders were developed) We might also mention the folks who took your negatives to the post office, the folks who sold you stamps, the folks who filed your pictures by alphabet on their return to the shop (possibly sneaking a look at one or two of them) the check-out clerk you paid and on and on. When I see unemployment figures, I'm not so sure digital photography is such a good thing. When I see dwindling piles of the physical object to sort through at the flea market, I'm sure of it. (Univex film was popular around 1949, Bantam from the late 1930's to the late 1940's)
Photo Developing Inc. Advertising card c. 1950 Collection Jim Linderman
Bill Alexander was an African-American illustrator about whom virtually nothing is known. He did have some famous friends, I hope to write more about them later. A new CD release from the wonderful Acrobat label in the UK offers scarce images of his work in "Roy Milton's Miltone Records Story." I had known Alexander for his striking, colorful but inept fetish paintings done for the covers of vintage sleaze paperbacks (five from my collection shown here) after he moved from LA to NYC in the late 1950's or early 1960's. These books were published in 1967 and contain not a swear word, much less any graphic sex. Vintage Sleaze paperbacks are a wonderful, affordable hobby. They LOOK filthy, that was the idea after all, to attract consumers with lurid, tease covers, but the actual sex was no more graphic than in any romance novel. However, I had only seen a few of his drawings done for Miltone. The incredible new CD comes with a small 34 page book illustrating many of the illustrations Alexander produced for early 78 rpm "Picture Discs." Like the music, they were hip, urban, swinging, rocking and raunchy. Acrobat releases tend to sell out quickly, so get on your friendly provider's website and purchase soon. They have a wonderful back catalog and have been documenting many small independent R&B labels, all worthy and all beautiful. But this one, while offering no more information about the illustrator I love, does provide great illustrations which fit the music to a T. A great package and a wonderful introduction to an unsung Black Artist who deserves more research. I intended to link to the Acrobat website but seems to be a broken for now, and I read a recent blog posting which says the label may be in financial duress. They may continue as a download company only. If so, too bad. In the meantime, search your suppliers for this and all their previous releases!
Five"Vintage Sleaze" Paperback books Illustrated by Bill Alexander c.1967 (Private Pose, Pen Pals, Fair Choice, Be My Guest, Bath House Peeper) Collection Jim Linderman
Harlot Herpetologists of the Victorian era. I can not explain the popularity of snake women other than a mixture of revulsion tinged with eroticism. It started with Eve, I suppose, but carnival performers in the earliest days were nearly always male, a fake snake charmer "from the East" who would perform with a basket, a cobra and a flute. When promoters learned it would be easier to squeeze coins out of the local townsfolk if a dame was involved...presto, the Serpent Queen! Snakes were easy to transport, a small box did it, and there was certainly no shortage of mice for food. Any female member of the crew could put on a wig and lure rubes into the tent where a usually harmless snake would curl seductively around the performer's waist. Always popular, I am sure there are still plenty of strippers out there working with a snake. (Text overlay to prevent folks from swiping the images and selling them on Ebay, a more up-to-date and just as effective technique of separating coins from rubes)See THE WONDROUS WORLD OF FRANK WENDT for more Photographs by this artist.Original Cabinet Card Photographs, circa 1880-1900 Collection Jim Linderman
Location Unknown Southern United States Original 35mm photograph c. 1994 Collection Jim Linderman
Comic folding stationary sheet c. 1935 Collection Jim Linderman
"TAKE YOUR TIME"...
"That looks nice son"... "Well, that was a short birthday"...
Pressman Toys was founded in 1922. As unlikely as it may seem from this astoundingly underwhelming toy, they remain in business today.
Nail-O-Gram Box and finished product c. 1930 Collection Jim Linderman
Imagine if your father's old train set could have filled an airplane hanger. (I hear Neil Young's does, and everything Neil does is cool) Well, "Roadside America" is a train set not only as big as a football field, it also has a fantastic creepy vibe from 1935, when it still was amazing that you could push a button and make things move. (Note bell-ringer button above) FOUR THOUSAND tiny industrious people and FOUR HUNDRED little buildings. Not only that, STILL OPEN EVERY DAY. I've been, more than once, and here is the spoiler: after letting you roam free a while to get value for your dollar, they line you up against the rear wall, stand you on bleachers, turn off all the lights and play a scratchy patriotic soundtrack while illuminating various things which make America great...first the churches, then various elements of throbbing industry, and finishing big with huge waving flags. Everyone leaves stunned and head further down the road to Hershey, PA for fresher treats. They have a website which could also use a little dusting off.
Three Roadside America postcards c. 1960 Collection Jim Linderman
ANY advertising pencil is fun. These all happen to be farm and farm supply examples.
Pencil trivia, of course, abounds, but none equals the masterful lyrics in which INNUENDO abounds by Johnny "Geechie" Temple who in 1935 recorded "Lead Pencil Blues"
I laid down last night, couldn't eat a bite
The woman I love don't treat me right
Lead in my pencil, baby it's done gone bad
And it's the worst old feelin' baby, that I've ever had
I woke up this mornin', my baby mighty mad
Cause the lead in my pencil, it's done gone bad
Lead in my pencil, baby it's done gone bad
And that's the worst old feelin' that I've ever had
My baby told me this mornin', she's feelin' mighty blue
Lead in my pencil just wouldn't do
And she said "Been ready all night -- Lead in your pencil daddy, just wouldn't write"
Lead in my pencil, baby it just won't write
And it's the worst old feelin' baby, that I've ever had
My baby says she goin' to quit me I'll tell you for this reason why
Lead in my pencil gone bye-bye
Laid down last night, couldn't help but cry
Wanted to write so bad, I was about to die
Lead in my pencil, baby it's done gone bad
And it's the worst old feeling baby, that I've ever hadGroup of Advertising Pencils c. 1950 Collection Jim Linderman
Mr Warther worked at a steel mill 21 years but his splendid model took only 9 months. Note the big-ass trunk he used to lug it around! A "groganized" real photo, circa 1955. Grogan Photo was a Danville Illinois producer of real photos.Steel Mill Carved of Walnut and Ivory by Ernest Warther
Real Photo Post Card circa 1955 Collection Jim Linderman
Location Unknown, Southern United States Original 35mm photograph and detail c. 1995 Collection Jim Linderman
Last night as the radio and I faded, I heard a fellow who claimed to be growing a new heart. True or not, it is clearly possible, and highly probable we we be able to grow human heart valves internally very shortly. Who will PAY for folks living to 120 and beyond is dicey, since there are already rumblings in both congress and medical ethics circles indicating we are simply not going to be able to provide retirement funds to those who live as long retired as they did working. The inevitable result will be those who can afford to pay for a new heart will be able to have one. One of the components of any health care proposal being discussed is how to determine those who gets and those who don't. Though if you rely on the "news" you'd think the only stumbling block is being able to "choose your own doctor." The rest of us will meet the ice flow which drifts away, so to speak. Not a cheerful valentine, but then chocolate jazzes the endorphins, so partake.Miniature hand-painted Sacred Heart of Jesus Anonymous
1" x 1" circa 1900 Collection Jim Linderman
Just a quick note of thanks to Hang Fire Books, one of the best sources of vintage sleazy paperbacks, obscure books and the owner of one of the most interesting blogs around. The proprietor is an old time picker in the best sense of the word. He combs the cobblestones of Brooklyn and turns up wonderful things, all the while reporting his success rate (which seems pretty good) He also builds a damn fine bookcase, this being done with wood and nails rather than his usual dry wit. He blurbed me, which is appreciated. His blog (and others I follow religiously) shows under my ABOUT ME page here. ALL the blogs I have bookmarked there are way above average, and you can also see the other blogs I write.
Pure and SimpleHomemade Valentine c. 1950 Collection Jim Linderman
