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Hollywood Family: 1965
... a convertible - powder blue and white two-toned please. Cheers! (ShorpyBlog, Member Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, tterrapix) ... 
 
Posted by tterrace - 09/29/2011 - 7:14pm -

November 1965. Fabulous, glamorous, glittering, world-famous Hollywood & Vine. My mother, father and brother take in the dazzling sights while I snap off this Kodachrome, two years after my previous memorable visit. Looks like brother and I have been hitting the record shops. Notable vehicles include a shiny red pre-1957 Volkswagen beetle, a 1961 or 1962 Thunderbird, a 1958 Plymouth wagon and, most interesting of all, a City of L.A. Water & Power Studebaker Champ pickup. View full size. Then and NowIn South Central, Drug King is now Drug Lord. Still one on every corner. RecordsStill a couple great shops for record collectors in that neighborhood. An Amoeba down the street on Sunset, and a couple on Hollywood which are like storefront garage sales for record buyers. Remember Lana TurnerI believe that this is the drugstore where Lana was discovered by a talent scout sitting at a lunch counter and having a soda. It started a stampede of young women going in and posing the same way, hoping to be discovered. [The drugstore where Lana Turner was discovered, according to showbiz lore, was Schwab's on Hollywood Boulevard. - Dave] Post 57 VWIf that were a pre 57 VW Bug it would have the split oval rear window. The one piece oval window was between 58 and 62, I think. [The VW's oval, one-piece rear window made its debut in 1953. Tterrace knows this VW is a pre-1957 model because 1957 is the year the back window was almost doubled in size. - Dave] Hollywood & VineI used to work, just down the street, at Hollywood Sport Cars at Hollywood and Van Ness during the final, sad, years of the British automobile industry. They're mostly gone now. MG, Austin-Healey, Triumph, Jensen and the rest. Hollywood had gotten pretty seedy by the mid 60s, but it's been cleaned up in many areas. Still, the glamour is gone. And where was I... while my family members were out seeing all the glamorous sights? Home in the 'burbs with the little babes. This is fun, I never know when I'll see my relatives on Shorpy. -- tterrace's sister Nice Shot, Tterrace!Does Rexall still exist? They used to be everywhere. November 1965 was the month that "the lights went out" all along the Eastern seaboard and also the first and last time I ever saw The (original) Rolling Stones when they came through Providence, touring on "Get Off Of My Cloud." I think the tickets were $2.50, and the auditorium (a hockey rink, really) was only half full. Other vehiclesBehind your parents, a 57 Ford. Behind it a late 50's Ford pick-up. Behind it a 64 Olds. Behind it a 63 Pontiac. Time travelThis building is still there, and "Holly Vine Shoppe" seems to be inside. [But since replaced by a Starbucks. -tterrace] The Taft BuildingThat's the Taft Building, where my husband had his office. Right across the street from the Broadway Building, where the Hollywood Broadway Store was for many years, I hear it's being converted into residential living with stores on the ground floor. Wallach's Music CityWallach's Music City was just down the street on Vine and Sunset - you used to be able to take a record into a listening booth - it was a great outing for the family! That was back in the 60's. "Drug Lord"?!!>> In South Central, Drug King is now Drug Lord. Still one on every corner. What a poor choice for a pharmacy chain name! Either someone had an offbeat sense of humor or they must have been into some of the pharmaceutical opioids when they put that one together! [Or maybe someone didn't get the joke. - Dave] I rememberWhat a nice photo. I used to go to Wallachs to shop for records. Early on, I'd ride my bike across town from the West Adams area and have loads of fun listening to records. I never saw any movie stars shopping there, but by 1964 my family had taken be south of L.A. I used to buy records at Sams Record store on Adams Boulevard too. His pretty assistant used to sell me anything! I was around 12 at that time. BTW, I only sold my record collection about 5 years ago - I couldn't manage the move back from the Netherlands, where I had moved in 1993. It's great to see all those cars. I want a 1957 Imperial! Or perhaps a '57 de Soto, or maybe a Chrysler 300! I will also take a 1957 Ford Skyliner or even a convertible - powder blue and white two-toned please. Cheers! (ShorpyBlog, Member Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, tterrapix)
Picket Fences: 1905
... can be seen on my New Jersey photo collection . Cheers! Contemporary styling Today the tent would be termed "outdoor ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/12/2014 - 2:54pm -

Ocean Grove, New Jersey, circa 1905. "Tent life." Looks relaxing, doesn't it? 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size. This was typicalThe tent platform with the frame structure at the back was typical of such places - Chautauqua, NY, Lakeside, OH, and Bay View, MI, are three that come to mind. They also began as Methodist summer settlements. Not rental necessarily, Thomas Edison married into the Miller family that was one of the founders of Chautauqua. He would visit there throughout his life. The Miller cottage is still there - still owned by the family. Somewhere in TimeOk, curiosity got the best of me and I drove the extra 5 minutes to Ocean Grove on the way home. I took this photo from almost the same location as the original photographer. Despite the fact that much of the physical components of the area have been replaced since 1906, the original wood structure appears to be the same and the tents look somewhat similar. A variety of Ocean Grove photos that I've taken can be seen on my New Jersey photo collection. Cheers! Contemporary stylingToday the tent would be termed "outdoor living room". It's all the rage on TV and in the magazines, but is an old idea. Wonder where they keep the grill? Plate 15Here's a terrific map of Ocean Grove, dated 1889: And an undated one here. Ocean Grove is still a dry town. My friends have visited, said that the big treat is to get an ice cream cone down near the beach. Most folks drive over to Point Pleasant for liquid refreshment. Tent in front, house in back?I guess I don't understand the design here. I see a wood-frame house at the back, and tent up front. I'm assuming it's a rental-type arrangement, but I'm not sure what purpose the tent serves. Ocean GroveThis community was set up for revival meetings, and also to be close to the beach. People, by no means rich ones, would come in every summer for the revival meetings. There was a big tabernacle for that sort of thing. The permanent house in back would hold the kitchen and the necessaries, and the tent up front would hold the parlour and bedrooms. They used to put up a gate to shut the town off every Sunday, lest anybody desecrate the Sabbath. It is all still there, although the gate is no longer in use. Methodist campOcean Grove was one of several Methodist camps in New Jersey and elsewhere. Over time, many of the tents were replaced with cottages. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocean_Grove,_New_Jersey Tent MakeoverThe settlement began as a Methodist tent camp, but living in tents down the Jersey shore year-round proved untenable. So frame structures were added on to the back. Those homes are insanely expensive now. They Still Have TentsI snapped this shot a couple of years ago. The "tent people" still return to Ocean Grove every summer. Ocean Grove isn't known as much as a religiously tolerant town--until 1981, they actually put a barrier up on the one road in and out of the area on Sundays because they didn't allow driving on Sunday. Also, until not too long before that time, you wouldn't have been able to lease a house (all homes are leased for 99 year periods, you don't "own" a home there) if you were Catholic or a Jew. Stop Thief!Hmmm. I wonder what the reward being offered was for. Ocean Grove BuildingsThe main buildings -- just 114 sheds, really, with facilities -- stand throughout the year. But each spring, renters unfurl the tents and customize each one with furnishings, flowers and the like. Some are fourth or fifth generation visitors. Presidents at the turn of the last century often visited, including William McKinley and James Garfield, who died not far away in Elberon, NJ. President Ulysses S. Grant arrived in 1875, found the gates locked due to the prohibition on carriages, and simply tethered his horses and walked to his sister's cottage. Times were different back then. So were presidents. TentsThe tent expands the living space available to the tenters. Over the winter, the tents are removed and all furniture is stored in the wooden structure. The tenters are a community all to themselves, The entire town ("God's Square Mile") is owned by the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association (http://www.OGCMA.org). Most of the town is now permanent homes, not tents. The town is a National Historic District for the hundreds of wonderfully preserved Victorian and Queen Anne homes. That's my tent!Great photo! We are the current residents of this particular tent and have been since 1972. The more current photo someone posted in comments shows that the little fence is gone and has been replaced with a hedge. While not as picturesque it does show a bit more security and privacy. (The Gallery, Camping, DPC, Travel & Vacation)
Bedtime Bros: 1910s
... posse of college men, possibly in Wyoming. Three cheers for old Pimento U! 4x5 glass negative. View full size. The ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 11/26/2014 - 1:45pm -

From the early 1900s comes this nightshirted posse of college men, possibly in Wyoming. Three cheers for old Pimento U! 4x5 glass negative. View full size. The future Mr. TorranceNice to know that the young lad seated at left end of the front row found gainful employment a few years later at the Overlook Hotel. No, not from P.U.The "W" on the shirt of the fellow in the back row means they're from Wossamotta U. EGADWhat was behind the camera that so many of these young men are wide-eyed, almost terrified? [Magnesium flash powder. - Dave] Alpha Phi ShorpyBrothers, don't look directly at the flash. What's Shorpy doing here?!?!This has to be the most bizarre photo yet. The folks who complain that the kitty photos are created with posed cadavers should have a field day with this one! I just hope that the fellow on the right is somehow sitting on a wire waste-paper basket and not a canary cage. Before we used 'say cheese'They evidently instructed people 'Now, whatever you do, don't blink!' Not just a "girl thing"Looks like proof that the idea for pajama parties started with young men as early as 1900, even though it has evolved to be more of a feminine gathering throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. From having a daughter, I know the girls style their hair, try on new make-up, play music and dance, eat pizza, gossip and stay up late, but what on earth did the guys do? Where's WaldoIs hiding a photo of Shorpy a new game, like where's Waldo? I haven't seen that before! Lace curtainsNice to see they've been a men's dorm-room staple for more than a century! Wide awake.At couple of these guys seem to have consumed an entire pot of Coffee right before this was taken. Are They Stoned?Wow. Creepy. Shorpy FansIt's nice to see that these fine lads are fans of this website's namesake. In reply to Vintagetvs (Re: "Wide Awake")Coca-Cola still contained cocaine, circa 1900, did it not? ["Partly true" says Snopes. -tterrace] Animal House, version 1.0Looks like some of these guys could be the grandfathers of Otter, Flounder, Bluto, Niedermeyer, et al. Good ole P.U.!Any day with a Dover Boys reference is a good day, indeed. [Curse you, Dan Backslide! -tterrace] Possibly altered?There is more to their eyes than just their bizarre widths. It looks like the photo may have been altered (pre Photoshop of course.) This is most noticeable with the gentlemen to the left and center in the middle row. Look carefully at the one in the center with the black robe. His eyes are actually closed. We are looking at an image of eyes on his eyelids. Perhaps they were put there in prank for the photo back in 1900, or they were added afterward. Anyone else see this? [Typical of magnesium-flash illumination; the burst is long enough to expose the eyes open as well as closed when the flash causes the subjects to blink, thus resulting in the superimposition. There have been a number of other examples published on Shorpy. -tterrace] Don't Blink!A shout out to Doctor Who my friend. JohnHoward, well done. Maybe the Doctor took the picture and they were all looking at his sonic screwdriver Coke SignI see that the college tradition of stealing beverage advertising signs to hang in one's dorm room has a long and distinguished history. (The Gallery, Found Photos)
Indiana Thanksgiving: 1917
... that holiday in 1917. I think everybody needs a drink. Cheers and Happy Thanksgiving to Dave and all the Shorpy fans, I'm thankful for ... 
 
Posted by Phaedrus - 11/24/2011 - 8:21am -

William Davis and family at their farm near Crothersville, Ind. View full size. Davis FamilyThe short woman standing behind the right most child in the picture is Cynthia Davis, and to her left is her husband William a vet of the Civil War. Their farm, of roughly 90 acres, was left to her by her father. The short woman in the right of center in the second row is Adella Davis who was born with a hunchback. She was a very intelligent and gracious woman. All I gotta sayis YIKES!! And an Unhappy Thanksgiving to youWhat a bunch of glum faces, though the picture itself is intriguing. Does the woman in front of the man in bibs look inordinately short? Is bib overall man the hired help? Everyone else looks much spiffier. Love the detail on the skirt of the woman holding the baby. IronyWow, that's one small happy family! Photographer's Instructions"OK, everbody hold still. Good, just like that. Now scowl for the camera!" Pass the gravyWow. I imagine it was not fun trying to serve dinner to this family. Don't expect any compliments and watch out for sharp elbows! Worrywart ChildrenFirst thing I noticed was how stressed and anxious all four kids seem but so do many of the adults. Not much joy in Mudville on that holiday in 1917. I think everybody needs a drink. Cheers and Happy Thanksgiving to Dave and all the Shorpy fans, I'm thankful for you. Say CheeseBad cheese. The nose knowsI think one thing is for sure - the woman holding the child at left, the woman directly behind her left shoulder and the woman on the other side of the man to her left, are all related. All have the same pinched-pointy nose. The man to her left may be a brother. The older lady way up top right, is probably of the same lineage as well, since she appears to have the same nose, only fleshed out with age. And how is YOUR family photo looking? Did someone ruin the gravy?They look so glum that it reminds me of a Thanksgiving my grandfather told me about, which was about 1920. His grandmother was from Alsace Lorraine and was an excellent cook. She had trained all of her daughters to cook in the style she did, which included dinners based around sumptuous roast meats with rich, brown gravy. On this one Thanksgiving, when Grandpa was about 11, the youngest of his grandmother's daughters, Aunt Nettie, had insisted that everyone meet at her house for dinner. She had prepared a huge turkey, which had taken much longer to cook than she had estimated. While they were waiting for their dinner, Grandpa and his cousins' stomachs were growling, and the wonderful aromas from the kitchen were making their mouths water. They imagined how they were going to fill their plates, pour delicious gravy over everything and then dive into it. But, just as Aunt Nettie told everyone to find their seats at the table, the heavenly aromas from the kitchen were interrupted by the stench of burnt flour. Soon after, they noticed that whatever was in the gravy boat did not look right. Instead of being a rich brown, it was a dull, dark, grayish-brown. The problem was that someone had recently started marketing canned gravy. Nettie had decided that, as she was a modern woman, she should use such a modern product. She had thrown away the nice brown drippings from the turkey, which would have made delicious gravy, and presented canned gravy that tasted like burnt flour, in its place. Everyone was quite miffed with her for ruining the dinner, like that. Grandpa didn't tell me that story until more than 70 Thanksgivings later, but his eyes still showed the disappointment of a hungry little boy whose Thanksgiving dinner was spoiled by an attempt to improve on something that didn't need improving, by substituting it with something "modern". Bad bird?These poor folks must either be suffering from salmonella or the family is prone to intestinal distress. MaybeThe '20s will cheer them up! Despite the sour expressionsThis family looks pretty good for the times. What strikes me is how much each and every one of them looks exactly like they belong in this slice of time. I'm trying to determine if the top left man reminds me more of Ernest T. Bass or Festus. A touch of cheer among the scowling facesThe man on the far right is wearing clown makeup. Alternate explanationThey may be a dour bunch -- alternatively, look at the fellow on the right. Laughing at the situation. Dinner is waiting on the table. A quick family photo is turning into an ordeal as the photographer messes about with his equipment, the family trying to stand still, the photographer muttering to himself. Pop -- the shutter release is let go a moment before the photographer says "ok." Blessings on all of them!The children don't like whatever or whoever is in front of them. Hopefully dinner turned out better than this picture. (ShorpyBlog, Member Gallery, Thanksgiving)
Company B: 1864
... Thank you for what you are doing with this Blog. Cheers Manny Vega aka Sysconfig (The Gallery, Civil War) ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/17/2012 - 10:32pm -

August 1864. Petersburg, Virginia. "Siege of Petersburg. Group of Company B, U.S. Engineer Battalion." Wet plate glass negative. View full size. Carpe diemSome handsome fellers in that group. Looks like they're trying to tell us something. Seize the day? Or, life is real, life is earnest, and the grave is not its goal ... dust thou art, to dust returnest, was not spoken of the soul? Four months earlyMy great-great-grandfather was transferred to Company B in December 1864. Almost had a photo of him here! No Bugle Boy?Most assuredly no boogie woogie, either. Does he have an agent?Definitely some handsome men here! My very first thought when I saw the man on the ground in the center was that they could build an entire TV show around him. Perhaps something in between Branded and F-Troop. Humansexisted. With varieties of facial hair and who knows what other foibles that might have been fretting them. Itches? Communication (breakdowns) with loved one at home? You can practically see their entire lives in their faces. From MaineWhen the war started there was only one company of engineers in the US Army. Company B was recruited in Maine in 1861 and that's when my great grandfather, a farm boy from Gardner, joined. There have been several photographs of Company B and like a previous commenter I wonder if I might be looking at ole gramps. His Army training payed off because after the War he became a builder and formed a company which build many homes and public buildings. A motley crewDont tell Lou, but their there just might be a Cornett in this group! Bugle boyThough there may not be a bugle in the picture, the soldier on the extreme right seems to be holding a Musician's sword so he is probably the bugler for the company. They come back, don't theyJust discovered this site. I will keep my commentary short. Simply Stunning and moving. There but for the grace of God go I. Just as we are confused about where the future is taking us, we look at these faces, and we see they are in a more precarious situation, yet somehow made it through. Our answers lay in admitting we don't know and to return to our past to restore our courage and character, imagination and vision. Thank you for what you are doing with this Blog. Cheers Manny Vega aka Sysconfig (The Gallery, Civil War)
Pringle Furniture: 1912
... represent early machine-made furniture in America. (Three cheers for the band saw!) There is a great deal of controversy about whether ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/08/2012 - 3:11pm -

Detroit, Michigan, circa 1912. "Pringle Furniture Co. showroom with tables and miscellaneous furniture." Our second peek behind the scenes at this eerily deserted furniture emporium. 8x10 inch glass negative. View full size. Tipping hazardThat bookshelf at the left looks like a major tipping hazard! It's so skinny, you'd definitely have to place your heaver books on first and on the bottom. A lot of the tables seemed to be folded over (center, third item back, and then two items to the left of that). Do these have legs that flip down so they open into larger tables for dining, or are they something else? Anyone know the purpose of the three-sectioned item on the table in the center? Just one little oversightSomebody forgot to leave paths through this clutter so prospective buyers could get to farther away items they wanted to look at closely. Wow!Some lovely gems, not withstanding the price tags everywhere. The slant-front desk on the right front is incredible. This, and a number of other pieces in the photo, are in the "Hall style" of American Empire furniture. This style originated in the 1840s and represent early machine-made furniture in America. (Three cheers for the band saw!) There is a great deal of controversy about whether these pieces were manufactured past the Victorian age into the 20th century. Here's the proof; Thanks Shorpy! How Much?The prices are clearly marked. So This is What They Didbefore branching out into making potato chips! By the way, I'd take any of this furniture over the crappy, cardboard stuff we call furniture today. Fire up the wayback machineThat's a gold mine of (future) antiques right there! So that's what it looked like.Walk into any antique store in Anytown USA and you see the beat up versions of these pieces. I sorta wondered what these things looked like when new. I wish the tags were readable!I bet you could buy everything visible in this photo for what you would pay for one leather couch today. Built to lastThis merchandise was meant to endure for generations and may still be around and in use. The high quality of fine craftsmanship is evident in its sturdiness. Too bad we cannot see the price tags. JumbledIf the showroom is disorganized, imagine the business itself. I wish I could see some of the price tags. Not Much BetterThis display is almost as uninviting as Pringle's wicker room. At no chargeDust, and if you're really lucky, sawdust! HorridThe Bauhaus and mid-century modernism couldn't have come soon enough. I wish I could find these today.My wife and I have been searching for a secretary/butler's desk like the one at front right, or even a nice rolltop desk, but they just aren't to be found in our area. And, as noted above, most furniture today is of the particle board variety. (The Gallery, Detroit Photos, DPC, Stores & Markets)
Rice Bubbles: 1958
... sold today and the packaging has changed very little. Cheers for all the great photographs. Aulsebrooks - the Kiwi ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 11/12/2013 - 10:19am -

New Zealand circa 1958. "U-Rect-It fittings in Hill Bros. grocery store." A peek through the grocery-wormhole into an alternate universe of "Weeties" and Kellogg's "Rice Bubbles." Photo by K.E. Niven & Co., Wellington. View full size. "Product of the USSR"Socra Brand in lower right corner. Possibly caviar or other fishy item? Surrealism 101The best way to experience the illusion of travel to an alternative universe is to observe the details of quotidian life in a similar, but "not quite right" culture. Imagine an English-speaking civilization with car brands like Thermos and Celotex and snacks bearing labels like Lysol and Peterbilt. Kind of makes your clock melt, doesn't it? Please colorize this one!This photo begs being colorized! What I really like about this photo is that it's old enough for the scene to look foreign compared to today's stores, yet contemporary enough for the brands and products to still be recognizable. I love the vintage Kellogg's cereal boxes, the exhibit racks, the sign promoting the virtues of polythene plastic as a convenient food wrapping -- all this speaks of an era very different to our own, and yet still very near to us. Dave, risking being annoying, could you tell us what kind of film was used for this picture? Once again, I'm impressed with the grain texture and the balance of shadow and light. Thanks! [I have no idea -- it's a medium format negative. As you can see below, not very contrasty until I fiddled with it in Photoshop. - Dave] MaggiThat Maggi sign on the right brings back fond memories of our German maid when we lived in Frankfurt in 1951-52. She used Maggi flavoring in nearly everything she cooked. Kellogg's All-BranThat may be an alternate universe in NZ, but I'm willing to bet All-Bran tastes like compressed cardboard pellets, just as it does in the Northern Hemisphere! Knisper, Knasper, KnusperKellogg's NZ has a cute little history on Snap, Crackle and Pop. Snap, the first born of the trio was born in 1933 as a tiny gnome wearing a baker's hat and carrying a spoon and was featured on a box of "Rice Bubbles". Crackle and Pop followed six years later in 1939. Kellogg's NZ notes that Snap, Crackle and Pop sound different in different countries: Sweden: Piff, Paff, Puff Germany: Knisper, Knasper, Knusper Mexico: Pim, Pam, Pum No matter the name we certainly all know the sound!! It was a great time snooping around the store. Would love to know what the teacher in the cartoon on the door is writing on the board. SocraCould be tea, or chai as they say in Russian. That was about the only thing the Soviet Union did well, other than caviar. Substitute TeacherCan anyone make out the poster on the door? It looks to me like a potato (or a peanut?) writing on a chalkboard in front of a classroom filled with children. Times have not changed.I live in Wellington and I must say that many of the items are still sold today and the packaging has changed very little. Cheers for all the great photographs. Aulsebrooks - the Kiwi Nabisco/Keebler/Pepperidge FarmNote that the whole shelf on the left is devoted to the products of just one bakery. My aunt is a Kiwi war bride, and for years she used to get packages of Aulsebrooks biscuits and crackers sent from her family in Christchurch. Like to broke her heart when the company was bought out (late '80s, I think). KIWIBANANA?Wondering about that poster. In the 50s Chiquita had ads headlined "____ABANANA". Such as HAVABANANA, SPLITABANANA, MASHABANANA. Maybe it is my imagination but it looks like one little chap in the front of the room is about to pitch a banana overhanded. There's an image of a banana on the left wall and ____ABANANA written on the poster bottom margin but can't make out the rest of the word. Soviet SalmonThe Socra-branded cans are most likely salmon - as a kid I remember it being sold here in Australia as well as NZ. SchoolabananaFound a clearer image on the intertubes. We'll see if the attachment works ... I rememberThis is how I remember all corner grocery stores looking when growing up in a small town in New Zealand. Also interesting to see the prices in the old pound, shilling and pence currency before the change over to dollars and cents in the 60's. Laundry DayI have just returned from a six week visit to Australia and New Zealand, and if you hunt around you can still find shops just like this. New Zealand cities and towns feature small butcher shops and bakeries, with hot meat pies ready to "take away" or sometimes to eat in the shop. Most people shop at large supermarkets now, and the selection of "bikkies" is just as huge as is shown here. Canadians could also buy Sunlight soap, a yellow laundry soap, as shown in the attached photo, until a few years ago. The new version is slightly smaller, a brighter yellow, and has a slight scent to it. PolytheneMost baby boomer Americans probably learned this word when the Beatles released "Polythene Pam" on the Abbey Road album. It took a few weeks for most Alternative radio jocks to stop introducing it as "Polyethylene Pam." Nothing obscures record labels like marijuana smoke. (The Gallery, New Zealand, Stores & Markets)
New York to Paris: 1908
... to Paris The Great Leslie currently resides in Texas. Cheers. www.thegreatestautorace.com Supplies etc. Notice the wooden ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/09/2011 - 12:59pm -

February 12, 1908. Montague Roberts in Times Square driving the Thomas Flyer at the start of the New York to Paris automobile race 100 years ago today. Five months later the car rolled into Paree and won, with considerable drama along the way. There's an entertaining account of the competition in the New York Times, which sponsored the event a century ago. View full size. 5x7 glass negative by George Grantham Bain, whose photos illustrate the NYT article. 100th AnniversaryA group is setting out, today, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Great Race by retracing the route. This time, they're employing state-of-the-art hybrid vehicles. http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=132994&src=3 New York To ParisHave you ever noticed in many of these old photos of crowds or events that somewhere in the photo there is a cop, here he is right in the center. The Great RaceWhere's The Great Leslie? Professor Fate (and his faithful compendium, Max)? Inquiring girl reporter Maggie Dubois? Thomas FlyerThe Thomas Flyer is on display at the National Automobile Museum in Reno, Nevada. http://www.automuseum.org/NAM_feature_exhibits2.shtml New York to ParisThe Great Leslie currently resides in Texas. Cheers. www.thegreatestautorace.com Supplies etc.Notice the wooden plank and the shovels and other gear. No doubt they planned for rough unpaved roads complete with mud and other obstructions. Also, notice the rifle case hanging in plain sight. Like that would happen today! Thems was the days. Had the opportunity to ride in this car.I've ridden in this same automobile a couple of years ago. It was brought to the HCCA (Horseless Carriage Club of America) 75th Anniversary Convention in SoCal. Before loading up for the return trip back to Reno (National Automobile Museum collection) some lucky attendees were invited to take a few laps around the parking lot! A great highlight of my life. (The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, G.G. Bain, NYC, Sports)
Canal Parade: 1905
... the splendid decorations, the music of the bands and the cheers of the people the afternoon presented spectacles glowing with the spirit ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/21/2012 - 11:20am -

Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan, circa 1905. "St. Mary's Canal celebration, parade on Ashmun Street." 8x10 glass negative, Detroit Publishing Co. View full size. Interesting vantageLook at the man standing on the telegraph pole above the "Western Express" sign. What the? The Wires!If there's ever been a Shorpy image with more wires in it, I haven't seen it. [It's why Bisbee was booming! - Dave] 45 Star FlagThe 45 star flag was the official flag of the United States from 1896 to 1908. It was created for the admission of Utah, and superseded on July 4, 1908 by the 46 star flag when Oklahoma joined the Union. The lineman incognitoWhat a view of the parade from the telegraph pole! Water balloons, anyone? Boot still thereDowner's pic of the modern scene is fascinating. Remnants of the boot ad painted on the far tall building remain. 50th Anniversary of Opening of Sault LocksThe occasion in this photo was the 50th Anniversary of the opening of Sault (also Soo) Locks or officially, the St. Mary's Falls Canal. The celebration took place on Aug. 2 and 3, 1905. The person standing and waving his hat in the lead carriage is the Vice-President of the United States (under Theodore Roosevelt), Charles W. Fairbanks. Other notables were the Governor of Michigan, Fred Warner, and the Solcitor-General of Canada, Rudolphe Lemieux. There was a huge regatta of naval and local vessels that went through the locks as part of the celebration. If you look to end of Ashmun Street, you can just see the funnel of a freighter tied up, ready to enter the locks. Canada is in the distance. [Information from City of the Rapids by Bernie Arbic] The Soo (as we liked to call it) was my home town. Reminds me of Paul Simon's song about My Little Town. SighThere's something rather sad about Sigma block now bereft of not just wires and parades and people but also of energy and excitement. In 1905 it was transformed. In 2011, it's just another drab, unattractive, empty street. Parade UnrestWhat a boring parade. I recommend some Shriners,a few high school bands and some pretty girls on floats. Maybe throw in a few Brownie troops to kick up the cuteness level a few notches. BAM! Sigma Block211 Ashmun St. Not a place for a parade these days. View Larger Map Fifth DivisionThis photograph appeared on page 8 in The Saint Mary's Falls Canal: Exercises at the Semi-Centennial Celebration at Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan, August 2 and 3, 1905. The caption identifies the occupants of the leading carriage as Vice-President Charles W. Fairbanks and Michigan Governor Fred M. Warner. Military Parade and Review. Imposing indeed was the military parade which was the chief feature of the program this afternoon, presenting as it did two battalions of the Michigan militia, two battalions of United States regular infantry, three military bands and the first battalion of the Michigan naval militia as well as all of the distinguished guests who are making the celebration memorable by their presence. The parade opened at two o'clock on Ashmun street under the direction of Charles T. Harvey, Chief Marshal. In the first division was the First United States Infantry band and the first battalion of the First United States Infantry, under command of Major Robert N. Getty. In the second division was the Third regiment band of the Michigan National Guard, the second battalion of the Third regiment and the first battalion of the Third regiment, under command of Colonel Robert J. Bates. In the third division was the Calumet and Hecla band, the marines and sailors of the United States Navy from the U.S.S. Wolverine, under the command of Commander H. Morrell, U.S.N. The fourth division consisted of the first battalion of the Michigan Naval Militia, including the divisions from Detroit, Saginaw and Benton Harbor, under command of Commander Frederick D. Standish. The fifth division was composed of carriages bearing the guests of the city: The Vice-President of the United States; the Governor of Michigan and staff; with the Mayor of the city of Sault Ste. Marie; the Lake Superior Canal Commission; speakers at the commemorative exercises, including United States Senators and Members of Congress and representatives of the Dominion of Canada; the United States engineer and general superintendent in charge of the United States ship canal and engineers and general superintendents formerly in charge; the general superintendent of the Canadian Ship Canal; members of the Senate and House of Representatives of Michigan; State officials, and other distinguished guests. The following was the line of march: East on Spruce street to Bingham, north on Bingham to Portage, west on Portage to Ashmun, south on Ashmun to Spruce, west on Spruce to Magazine, north on Magazine to Portage, east on Portage to Ashmun, north on Ashmun to Water, cast on Water to Old Fort Brady Canal park, and thence on Water Front passing reviewing stand at Brady Terrace. The parade was reviewed from the stand in the lower park by Vice-President Fairbanks and Governor Warner, after which it dispersed. The pageant was witnessed all along the line of march by immense crowds of people, the crowds continuing to be one of the striking features of the celebration. With the immense crowds, the brilliant parade, the splendid decorations, the music of the bands and the cheers of the people the afternoon presented spectacles glowing with the spirit of the celebration, fully in keeping with the grandeur of the occasion and the splendid institution which gave it its inception. Ghost SignsThat old Battle Ax is still hanging around! Love that the artwork for Battle Ax and the boot for the shoe shop are still visible on the side of the building in the modern Google image! Which WatchThis one amazingly busy picture. I wish my photos could be this clear. Be that as it may, I could find two jeweler's clock signs. On the right, the Kiefer & Wenzl timepiece shows 11 a.m. I imagine this is the correct time. Across the street, an unknown shop has a watch hanging that is set for the usually correct twice daily, 8:18 AM or PM. There is a name on the clock face, that as sharp as this picture is, I can't make out. [H.B. Shellito. The clocks are both faux timepieces on real signs. - Dave] (The Gallery, Boats & Bridges, DPC)
King Street: 1921
... Model 20 , which was produced from 1919 to 1923. Cheers! Craig LOC Number Please... I've done a quick search for this ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 04/06/2013 - 11:47am -

King Street in Alexandria, Virginia. 1921 or 1922. View full size. National Photo Company Collection glass negative. Who can pinpoint the intersection? King and WashingtonThat's the intersection of King and Washington streets. The surplus store is now Cafe Mezzogirono. Overhead WiresThere seems to be 2 overhead wires for 1 set of street car tracks. This seems quite unusual as street cars only required 1 overhead wire. Is it possible that 2 different transportation companies shared a set of tracks but drew power from their individual overhead wires? [It's a dual-wire trolley. Not unusual. From another commenter: "To avoid use of frogs where the line diverged or at a siding so trolleys could pass each other, dual wires were used, one for each direction." - Dave] King StreetWhere the power lines seem to end, King Street takes a sharp downhill for 3 or 4 blocks, and then there's the Potomac. The trees in the distance are on the other side of the river, in Maryland. BumblefishCurrent view of the cafe from Google: http://www.panoramio.com/photo/2854664 Other cornerLooks nearly like a twin building on the opposite corner. near the Charlie Lee laundry. Any pics of that corner? Clang Clang ClangA single trolley pole collects current from an overhead wire and uses the tracks as the electrical return. Trolley buses, which have no ground because of their rubber tires, have to use two trolley poles and dual overhead wires. One for the negative live current and the other for the positive or neutral return. Which might have been the case here. The treesAmazing how there are no trees in the first picture, but how tall they are in the modern picture. The tellaphone pole is gone and so are the trolley tracks. Sweet RideThat's a swell motorcycle! Not your run-of-the-mill Harley or Indian, it appears to be a Douglas, or maybe even a Scott, an early water-cooled bike. Harley Model 20Great bike! It's got the longitudinally oriented opposed twin engine, but it's not a Douglas, it's a Harley Davidson Sport Model 20, which was produced from 1919 to 1923. Cheers! Craig LOC Number Please...I've done a quick search for this shot on the Library of Congress site but can't seem to find it. Does anyone have the reference number? [Right-click on the photo, choose "properties." There's the number. - Dave] +89Below is the same view from December of 2010. (The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, Motorcycles, Natl Photo)
Clairvoyant Bird: 1900
... led the line, rode a splendid snow-white horse. There were cheers for the painters along the line of march and there were predictions that ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/13/2013 - 3:55pm -

Buffalo, N.Y., 1900. "Labor Day parade, Main Street." The city's Good Humor men pass in review. 8x10 glass negative, Detroit Publishing Co. View full size. I, for one... welcome our ice-cream-wielding overlords. After Labor DayNo white pants until Decoration Day 1901. Where's The Law?In a like public venue today the boys in blue would be found every ten yards or so. Wow, patriotism was evident ever more so than today, judging by how well Old Glory is represented. Sword-wielding ice cream overlords?Each of them appears to be holding a sword -- for dividing ice cream sandwiches that stick together? Or something more menacing? Also, an impressive number of bicycles and bicycle racks -- I doubt there are anywhere near that many (if any at all) in the current stretch of road. And, oops, one of the flags in the third floor windows of the Miller Block is flying upside down. Men In WhiteSince the Good Humor Company wasn't founded until the early 1920s, we have to guess again. I'll take a shot in the dark and say it was the Buffalo version of NYC's White Wings, their Department of Sanitation. Good Humor men?Are they really good humor men, and do they carry swords (sticks) Just how big was Buffalo in 1910 that they would need hundreds of men distributing ice cream. One thing is for certain: there is no stopping themThe Good Humor men will soon be here. I’d like to remind them that as a trusted Shorpy contributor, I can be helpful in rounding up others to toil in their underground ice cream caves. The gift of prophecyI'll bet the Clairvoyant Bird knew that parade was going to take place months before it actually happened. Sword wieldersPerhaps the original Buffalo Sabres? Stick MenI would guess the sticks were to prod the horses used in whatever business these men made their living by. Paperhangers?Whatever these guys do, they clearly have a distinct uniform and the special pokey-thing they carry is part of their trade recognition. White designates cleanliness. If you could wear white uniform all day it meant you didn't work with oily machinery or coal fires. Those sticks they are carrying must be emblematic of the trade. Any chance of some ShorpyZoom on one them? Official Monthly Magazine. Devoted to the interests of House, Sign, Pictorial, Coach, Car, Carriage, Machinery, Ship and Railroad Equipment Painters, Decorators, Paperhangers, Hard Wood Finishers, Grainers, Glaziers, Varnish Enamelers and Gilders. … Labor Day, 1903. … Buffalo, N.Y. It was but just that the painters, decorators and paperhangers of the city should have the right of the line, for they made a magnificent showing, the opinion being general along the line of march that these men made the finest appearance of any organization. All were clad in immaculate white. The trousers were white duck, the shirts were snowy cambric, the belts were white leather and each man wore a white yachting cap and a handsome boutonniere, and Marshal Chapman, who led the line, rode a splendid snow-white horse. There were cheers for the painters along the line of march and there were predictions that the union will gain its fourth silken banner because of its showing, having already won three for making the finest appearance in annual Labor Day processions. (The Gallery, Bicycles, Buffalo NY, DPC, Patriotic, Streetcars)
Hiram Walker: 1905
... bees and male drones. Anyway, gotta go, I need a drink. Cheers! Overkill All of that huge belt driven machinery just to put a ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/21/2012 - 12:00pm -

Walkerville, Ontario, circa 1905. "Hiram Walker & Sons, bottling works." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size. The toughs lining the wallsmust be there to make sure nobody gets a free sample. TemptingSo many bottles, so little time. Jeopardy AnswerThey got high from the fumes? Spirits!Here's one for the "orbs and faces" crowd. Taste testersI assume all those folks in the back are doing quality control. Another round for all pleaseWorking in this place would make me crave Canadian Club and Crown Royal cocktails all day, being permeated in the robust, sweet scent of good liquor and clinking glasses, not to mention lots of company for sociability. It does seem to me there are a few very young boys under 16 working here although they could not have drunk their wares and I also notice that although the men are apparently supervisors and observers (perhaps 'tasters'), the women are the ones actually working, a little twist on queen bees and male drones. Anyway, gotta go, I need a drink. Cheers! OverkillAll of that huge belt driven machinery just to put a cork (or cap) on the bottle just looks odd to me. [It might have something to do with chipmunks. - Dave] My favourite whisky, everGreat picture, thank you. I enjoy my glass of Hiram Walker every night, so this photo means a lot to me. Greetings! Sorry, we have to assumeRule number 7 says that if you fall off your stool we will terminate employment. See rule 5 that prohibits consuming the product. It's clear nowFor years I tried to drink them dry. Now, I know the answer. They were making it at a faster rate than I could drink it. Even in my foggy mind it is beginning to make sense. About the fumesMy wife used to work in a Joseph E. Seagram Distilling plant. One year, at the height of hay fever season, she gave some of us a tour of the place. After five minutes in the warehouse where millions of gallons of the product were aging in wooden barrels I realized that my respiratory passages had been blasted to the point that I could breathe freely, and they stayed that way for hours after I left. Needless to say, a no-smoking area. (The Gallery, DPC, Factories, Walkerville)
Lake Rondeau: 1930
... grandmother.......this gal has plenty of life inside her! Cheers Grandmother! Is It Acceptable Is it acceptable to say that ... The very picture of a 21 year old woman loving life. Cheers ma'am! I never looked like that!!! I would love to have been ... 
 
Posted by sunyjim - 12/19/2009 - 5:01pm -

My grandmother's 100 birthday is Dec 12. Here she is as a young lady in 1930 at Lake Rondeau. View full size. Birthday BabeI hope your grandmother knows she's got a lot of internet admirers. What a fantastic photo of a spirited young woman! Lovely LadyThat outfit wouldn't look out of place today. Except for the carThis photo could have been taken today! Just substitute an SUV for the 20's model car and you'd never know. This is pretty racy for the time. I believe she's wearing a man's shirt and PANTS. Wow--granny was pretty wild in her day! Happy Birthday Gorgeous!Tell Granny to have one on me, she's awesome! StunningThat's what she is! She would turn heads walking down the street today for sure! Tell Her She is Gorgeous!I just know the same young lady still resides in your grandmother.......this gal has plenty of life inside her! Cheers Grandmother! Is It AcceptableIs it acceptable to say that someone's 100-year-old grandmother was an absolute hottie? Because it's true. From the tips of those not entirely sensible shoes to the top of that very contemporary hair style. The very picture of a 21 year old woman loving life. Cheers ma'am! I never looked like that!!!I would love to have been half that gorgeous at any time in my life. And, to live 100 years? She's awesome. My gramma never looked like this!That hairdo would not look out of place today to. She was quite a beauty, and I bet you can still see traces of that beauty today. I Adore Her!A timeless beauty at the peak of perfection Newmany pictures here at Shorpys make me want to go back in time for one reason or another. But this photo does that, probably, more than any other. It is enigmatic. The attitude is so different than what we have been taught to expect for the times. Are we simply wrong in our pre-conceptions and have to get used to the fact that life and people have always been more complicated than how we view the older days - or is this person different, exeptional, and perhaps in the wrong era. I don't know. But I do love to look at these moments and ponder. Are there any more photos, new or old that you can post? Any stories? (ShorpyBlog, Member Gallery)
Mrs. Foote: 1933
... Cheers and enjoy! "Tiresome and Repetitive" For every comment ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/07/2012 - 11:03am -

1933. "Mrs. Walter A. Foote, portrait with dog." Harris & Ewing. View full size. Beautiful shadows.Mrs. Foote's shadows on the wall are beautifully placed. But where's the dog's Gramophone? StandardsSo many nasty comments about women on this blog. Too bad -- I love it otherwise. And, yes, I am rather a homely broad myself. And if 80 years from now people are taking cheap shots at a picture of me on whatever blog equivalent is available by then ... well, actually, I will be dead and won't care. But still. I assume...... that Mrs. Foote is the one on the right? That DogOK, that dog had to be some movie actor dog. I think he is just way too cute and perfect. I'd steal him if I could! Yip.The doggie is completely adorable and I happen to think Mrs. Foote is a rather handsome woman. From another homely (old) broad. I get a weird vibe...that Mrs. Foote would have been an interesting gal to hang out with. Hear hear!Well I'm no "homely broad" just any average Joe and I agree, the number of misogynistic comments on Shorpy is as astounding as it is dull. Makes an otherwise brilliant blog a tad tiresome. And it's not about being politically correct chaps it just shows a lack of imagination. Mrs Foote's dog looks like it has more class than some commentators. Enjoy the show and leave the petulance on your desktop. [If only. - Dave] Shorpy GirlsI have made a few snarky comments about the appearance of some of the women on Shorpy. I really don't mean it as a personal insult to the (long dead) women themselves or as an insult to women in general. For me, it's the contrast of what women looked like before the modern cosmetics industry, before daily baths became the norm and especially before dentistry evolved to its current level. Sometimes, Shorpy makes me feel nostalgic for a simpler time. Many of the Shorpy women make me happy to be a modern man. Oh...And Mrs Foote looks like a young Donald Sutherland in drag. A diplomat's wife.I couldn't find anything about Mrs. Walter A Foote, but Google gives up the occasional factoid about Walter A. himself. Follow the leads through the URLs below if you'd like. Walter A. was born in Greeneville, Texas in 1887, served in the military during WW I and was appointed to the US diplomatic corps in or about 1921. His first job was in Port Said. (He was paid $3000--per year, it looks like.) He rose through the ranks, we can assume, and was eventually appointed Consul General to Indonesia. He was there in 1947, aged 60, when these Life photos http://images.google.com/hosted/life/l?imgurl=ffb8b49d78f10f41&q=%22Walt... were taken. Notice his hat. Still a Texas boy. Here are a couple of other references. http://www.archive.org/stream/registercontaini1922unit/registercontaini1... http://books.google.com/books?id=Nf1yXJfnakoC&pg=RA1-PA89&lpg=RA1-PA89&d... Cheers and enjoy! "Tiresome and Repetitive"For every comment on a woman's appearance on this site, there must be ten times as many complaining about those comments. And they all sound exactly the same. Talk about tedious. Margaret FooteWalter Ambrose Foote's obituary (Dec 1, 1954) lists his wife's name as Margaret. She must have been an adventurous soul to travel the world with her husband. I think she looks lovely. Below is an account of the Footes' escape from Java just in advance of the Japanese invasion: The wife of "Uncle Billy" Foote, who as a member of our foreign service has a longer career of service in those islands than any of his compatriots, Mrs. Foote left Batavia "just before the last." Leaving from Tjilatjap where the refugees sat up in a tin shack through a night that never seemed to end, waiting for a ship to sail, Mrs. Foote arrived in Australia after a series of adventures. From Australia to New Orleans was the next leg of the voyage that was to ultimately bring her to a "duration" home in the Capital. during the two months of her journeying, she had no word of her husband. Like Dr. van der Plas, he wanted to stay on in the indies, but officials convinced him that he could help them more by leaving and carrying on the struggle from "outside." After receiving word that it would be fatal to tarry and longer in Batavia, where he was Consul General, Mr. Foote got what remained of his staff together. That night they spend tearing up official papers and when morning came, and there would be no danger of it being used as a beacon light by Japanese bombers, a huge bonfire was started. Then came the trek to a port - driving along overgrown jungle roads to avoid the danger of parachutists who were clogging up the main roads. Two months later, his ship put in at San Francisco, and this was the first news either husband or wife had of each other. Now "Uncle Billy," as he has been affectionately known by officials in the Dutch East Indies for years, is again serving overseas. He will represent this country in dealings with the Netherland's officials in Australia. His wife has been kept busy attending auction sales - where she picked up all the furniture for her attractive apartment at the Dorchester. One does not bring back household goods from an invaded territory. English-born Mrs. Foote, who worked in New York for the Red Cross in the last war, is filling her hours with war activities. Working with the Dutch unit of the Red Cross as she is in Washington, is nothing new for the soft-spoken Mrs. Foote. For many months, she was a hard worker for numerous women's defense organizations in Batavia who had a chance to prove the effectiveness of their training under fire. "They were magnificent," accolades Mrs. Foote, as she tells story after story of their "extraordinary calm, cool bravery." Washington Post, Aug 2, 1942 And I'm sure......that you're just beautiful in every way yourself, Bill! Or at least as pretty as Mrs. Foote -- or, indeed, a young Donald Sutherland. I don't think anyone is taking these comments as a "personal insult." It's just tiresome and repetitive and kind of sad, and not, perhaps, of tremendous interest to others, to know whether a given lady pleases the eye of a particular modern male. Though I can't speak for anyone but myself, naturally. As you note, the ladies in question have usually lived out their lives -- happily and usefully, we all trust, and in times when gentlemen, whatever they thought of ladies' looks, declined to make crude remarks about them in public forums. (The Gallery, Dogs, Harris + Ewing, Portraits)
Church Street: 1911
... will be ordering a few of these to take back to Vermont. Cheers! PS, more Vermont pics please??? Chips Hanson/Stowe [Carbon arc ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 02/18/2014 - 1:39pm -

Burlington, Vermont, circa 1911. "Church Street north from Bank Street." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size. Same scene todayChurch Street is a pedestrian mall. View Larger Map Sunday, Sept. 3The day of the Eagles excursion to Montreal. The LOC database dates the photo between 1910 and 1920. That would be either 1911 or 1916. Hence, I suppose, Dave’s “circa” in the caption. Church St. revisited..As a former resident, I found this particular photo quite enlightening. I worked at several bistros and bars on this street in the 80-90's, Leunig's in particular on the corner of Bank and Church. But the details here are incredible by use of the enlargement to pan in and out. So what is the deal with he ornamental light-right upper on the pulley system for lowering/raising? Oil-kerosene? Pretty unique as is the unknown trolley system, wow. Thanks Shorpy, will be ordering a few of these to take back to Vermont. Cheers! PS, more Vermont pics please??? Chips Hanson/Stowe [Carbon arc lamp. -tterrace] Where's the pool table?Those knickerbockers look like they're buckled BELOW the knee! Anyone here?Sometimes these pedestrian malls kill commerce in a downtown. Customers can't park near stores, or something to that effect. It happened in the 1980s in Eugene, Oregon, I know. By the time we moved, they had begun to reopen the streets to traffic. Street lights in the rainAnyone know how they kept the street lights working in rain? Looks like the connections weren't real weatherproof. Stanley SteamerI'm going to go out on a limb and say that is a 1909 Stanley parked at the curb. Not SureWhat the heck is corset parlor? You are surethis scene is from Down East by the Moxie sign on the store to the left. Stanley SteamerYippee!!! Too cool, the Stanley Steamer sitting at the curb definitely dates the photo before 1915; the Stanley was a pretty unusual sight even back then. [There's no reason an elderly Steamer couldn't be parked at the curb any time after 1915, unless they suddenly dematerialized when they got to be a few years old. - Dave] Great photoI already posted but this photo is packed with great detail of the Edwardian period of transition from old to modern --the stately matron on the left, but a frisky young girl running up the street (kids will always be kids; timeless) --the blocks of ice in the back of the ice wagon, --the quiet but powerful Stanley Steamer with the well dressed lady waiting patiently in the back seat (a "lady" would never drive) while we know that the Stanley had the pilot-light keeping the steam pressure up; starting a Stanley from cold was a 20-minute process --the streetcar conductor oozes presence and confidence --the streetlight-on-pulley to lower for maintenance. Too cool. Leunig's locationWe lived in South Burlington, VT for almost 30 years. Leunigs actually was at the corner of Church and College Streets. (The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, DPC, Stores & Markets, Streetcars)
Final Destination: 1957
... "Black Denim Trousers and Motorcycle Boots" by the Cheers, 1955. Hate to admit I remember it from when it was released. The ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/11/2015 - 1:35am -

Oakland, California, circa 1957. "Late Final." 4x5 acetate negative from the News Archive, wrapping up Motor Mayhem Monday. View full size. A New Measure of SafetyThe "V-type windshield" worked out well as a safety feature. Or maybe they didn't keep a close-enough eye on that speedometer red zone: http://www.oldcarbrochures.org/NA/Chrysler_and_Imperial/1939_Chrysler/19... Black Denim TrousersGreat list Gooberpea, but you missed one of my favorites: "Black Denim Trousers and Motorcycle Boots" by the Cheers, 1955. Hate to admit I remember it from when it was released. The last two verses: Then he took off like the Devil and there was fire in his eyes He said "I'll go a thousand miles before the sun can rise" But he hit a screamin' diesel that was California-bound And when they cleared the wreckage, all they found Was his black denim trousers and motorcycle boots And a black leather jacket with an eagle on the back But they couldn't find the 'cycle that took off like a gun And they never found the terror of Highway 101 MoPar or No Car1939 Chrysler Royal looking a bit less than regal. Crumple ZonesFatality written all over this wreck. So much for the myth that old cars were built like tanks. Photos like this make me thankful I own a plastic Mitsubishi built to disintegrate after the airbags are deployed. May Once Have Been a 1939 Mopar ProductBut now a splendid heuristic to illustrate the term "crumple zone." A Normal Car AccidentHow can any list of car crash songs leave out "Warm Leatherette" by the Normal? (Released on Mute Records in England, 1978) See the breaking glass In the underpass... See the breaking glass Feel the steering wheel... Warm leatherette Melts on your burning flesh You can see your reflection In the luminescent dash... A tear of petrol Is in your eye The hand brake Penetrates your thigh Quick - Let's make love Before you die On warm leatherette Warm leatherette... Join the car crash set Ouch! That Won't Buff OutWhole Car Crumple Zone "Whiskey and blood together"This summer's "Motor Mayhem" series grew on me. At first, I was all "crash, meh," but as the images keep joining me for morning coffee and inbox triage I find myself humming the old "wreck on the highway" songs I am known to sing loudly and in dubious tune from the pilot’s seat of the ol' Family Truckster while barreling down some West Texas highway. Some of my favorite road wreck tunes, born from Detroit steel, Texas crude, and 50,000-watt Mexican radio stations (later iPods) are: "Wreck on the Highway," Roy Acuff (1942). ("Didn't hear nobody pray." My favorite version is the Louvin Brothers – though kinda judgy.) "Last Kiss" (1964), J Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers [“She’s gone to heaven so I got to be good, so I can see my baby when I leave this world”] "Teen Angel" (1959), Mark Dining (lots of "wooo wooo woos") "Leader of the Pack" (1964), Shangri Las ("vroom") "Dead Man's Curve" (1964), Jan & Dean ("We popped the clutch when the light turned green; You should have heard the whine from my screamin' machine") And my all-time favorite for road-singing, though I’m not sure any wreck is mentioned, is -- "Hot Rod Lincoln" (1955) Charlie Ryan – though my favorite version is Commander Cody’s ("Son, you're going to drive me to drinkin' if you don't stop driving that Hot Rod Lincoln") I didn't realize it until I was researching the publication dates for this post what a big year 1964 was for car crash tunes. Maybe Dave and the team can find some early '60s photos to set to music. What say you in the Shorpishpere? Your favorite cartunes? Another Bad ThingThe car really didn't get good mileage. Another Favorite "Wreck Tune"Gooberpea's list is great, but one of my favorites growing up was "Transfusion" (1956) by Nervous Norvus (Jimmy Drake.) He keeps claiming he's "never, never, never gonna speed again" but he always does. It's a hoot! Ironically, he lived a lot of his life in Oakland, CA. Perhaps some of these photos were part of his inspiration! Car Crash SummerCountry music never being averse to a good tragedy, Stonewall Jackson had a hit -- also in 1964 -- concerning "B.J. the D.J." B.J. is a young morning jock who drives himself and his beat-up old car too hard, until one sad night "he signed off down by the Georgia line." It's actually a pretty good record, with a haunting final image. Missing some detailsInteresting. The skidmarks look intact behind the car. Presumably the occupant hit something, possibly another vehicle (or a lamp post) in a right front collision, folded the wheel to the right, jerking the steering wheel and he/she flew 'forward' into the rearview mirror, which broke the glass. The impact creased the roof. Could that torsion move the rearview enough by itself? The crease along the grillwork is probably from the upper part of the front bumper, which doesn't appear to be present. Was the engine shoved out the bottom below the firewall? I don't see any blood though. Another Wreck Tune"Crawling From the Wreckage," Dave Edmunds, 1979. First verse and chorus: Got out really early from the factory Drivin' like a nut in the rain Don't think I was actin' so hysterically But I didn't see a thing until it came Met the dumb suburbs in the takeaway Beating up the Chinese at the counter I put a few inside me at the end of the day I took out my revenge on the revolution counter Crawlin' from the wreckage, crawlin' from the wreckage You'd think by now at least that half my brain would get the message Crawlin' from the wreckage, crawlin' from the wreckage Into a brand new car (The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, News Photo Archive, Signal 30)
Moving Pictures: 1900
... type venture ? Either way simply amazing ! Cheers. Wonder if they slept there, too From past Shorpy encounters, ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/20/2013 - 1:44pm -

"1899 or 1902. Lackawanna photo car." Detroit Photographic's rolling studio-darkroom-showroom. 8x10 inch glass negative. View full size. The futureWhat an interesting photo. I wonder if these people had the foresight of these photos being invaluable to future generations or was this just a business/hobby type venture ? Either way simply amazing ! Cheers. Wonder if they slept there, tooFrom past Shorpy encounters, this is a famous railcar. With the ladies and child shown, I wonder if it also served as a rolling residence for the owners. With the likely photo chemical fumes, it probably wouldn't have been conducive to living aboard, but it was a clever and modern way of doing business. Mr. DPCLooks like William Henry Jackson himself on the rear platform holding the camera. Morris and Essex RailroadApparently this car really belonged to the Morris and Essex Railroad, which was leased by the Lackawanna for roughly 80 years. Note the "M&E" to the far right of "Lackawanna." BallastThe DL&W was a blue chip anthracite hauling carrier and extremely profitable. It prided itself on its physical plant, even down to the point of maintaining "razor" edge ballast along it main line tracks. Posed rocksNo ordinary railroad ballast is that neat. The colors of natureThose would be black, white, and gray, right? [They were until DPC colorized their post cards and prints. -tterrace] BallastI wonder if the rocks were placed that way to prevent water from eroding the tracks. I've never seen a ballast arrangement quite like that. CoalUngraded coal of various sizes most likely in that tender: those gigantic chunks had to be hand-shoveled by the fireman into the firebox constantly. Possibly the one car consist was not as demanding fuelwise as a regular train of several cars. Nevertheless, it was hot as Hades labor during the summer, but brutally cold, in that open cab, in the winter season. About that ballastI suspect that this photo was made at a station. The smoothness of the dirt path along the tracks suggests this. It was desirable to keep ballast out of walkways, because plain dirt is safer to walk on. People often twist their ankles while walking on ballast. Also, it is VERY difficult, sometimes impossible, to pull those big baggage carts over ballast, especially when they're loaded down with baggage, mail, and express. Station personnel make their jobs much easier by keeping the surfaces over which they have to pull those things smooth. (I speak from experience.) (The Gallery, DPC, Railroads)
The Game Room: 1905
... a possible reproduction of this great-looking piece. Cheers, mate! How does it work? There is no spring loaded handle to ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/05/2012 - 4:27pm -

Upstate New York circa 1905. "Billiard hall at Paul Smith's casino, Adirondack Mountains." Note the pinball table in the corner. 8x10 glass plate. View full size. Coming soon to a pool hall near youCigarette-smoking kids from a Lewis Hine photo! Thank you!Many thanks for the enlargement, Dave. Now you've had me spend an enjoyable afternoon planning a possible reproduction of this great-looking piece. Cheers, mate! How does it work?There is no spring loaded handle to propel the ball forward. I can only conclude that the ball was drawn back onto a spring. How many points for ringing the bell in the centre? Magic picture. As one who spent his entire youth playing Bally's machines, eg Bally Beauty, County Fair, and Carnival Queen, this is a portent of things to come. Middle table. I don't get it. The middle table has no pockets. What type of game can be played on such a table? [Billiards. - Dave] SinfulThat great early pinball/bagatelle table at the end of the room is prompting at least two of the seven deadlies in me right now. [Click to enlarge.] Trouble Yes, we got Trouble, that starts with "T," which rhymes with "P," and that stands for Pool! Tools at handI wonder what device for knocking a ball around on a smooth, flat surface would sit comfortably in the very handy notch cut out for it right where you are looking for a plunger? Yes, indeed: a cue stick! (The Gallery, DPC, Sports)
Tournament of Roses: 1960
... would call "ordinary, at best" or "almost a Big Mac". Cheers! (Image courtesy of Google maps) Bob's Big Boy Southern ... 
 
Posted by ollie - 09/19/2011 - 11:30pm -

New Year's Day 1960 along Colorado Avenue in Pasadena, California, and the 71st annual Tournament of Roses Parade. View full size. Hi BobFor me, growing up, it was always Bob's Big Boy and Shoney's as different establishments. Part of the fun was the statue out front of Bob in his checkered overalls. re Bob's Big Boy - tterraceBob's Big Boys have come and gone over the years. Recently, the one in Hesperia went on hiatus for a few years and became a different restaurant until Bob came back to reclaim his turf. The newest one I'm aware of is in the City of Orange on Katella. I've driven by though, and it looks like a "Lite" version. Caters to movie crowd in same center and is remarkably small; not free-standing (shared walls with other shops - Starbuck's too). Just not up to par. Too bad, since I live in Orange!. However, I do enjoy the Bob's in Hesperia (I-15 and Main St.) and Calimesa (I-10 and Calimesa Blvd.). Another fairly recent is in Barstow (I-15 and Lenwood - formerly the Harvey House Restaurant) but I wasn't too thrilled about the place. (I also saw one recently in Lake Havasu City but didn't try it out.) What is my criteria in judging a Big Boy restaurant? Why, a Big Boy combo of course! Blue cheese dressing for the salad and season salt on the fries. The Big Boy hamburger is the only one I know around here that comes with hamburger relish on it. Yum! If you can follow that with one of those hot fudge brownie thingies, you probably need to be rolled out of the restaurant. Oh, and don't forget they have real Malts too! To be truthful, for those who haven't eaten a Big Boy combo, it's really just a nostalgia thing for me. Comfort food I've eaten for 45 years that has grown on me to where I can crave this hamburger that most people would call "ordinary, at best" or "almost a Big Mac". Cheers! (Image courtesy of Google maps) Bob's Big BoySouthern California vintage diner & drive-in fans will note the Bob's Big Boy down the street. There's a small buzz on the web about the upcoming return of a Bob's to Pasadena after an absence of "many years." TV LandTo view more scenes of major LA-area streets of this era, see Adam-12, Emergency!, and CHiPs. (and every other cop/detective show of the day) First Day of a Brand New DecadeInteresting to see a photo taken on the very first morning of a brand new decade, the 1960s. Shoney'sWhere I'm from (Brunswick, Georgia) it was Shoney's Big Boy and the judging criteria have to include the correct preparation of their Patty Melt. I miss Shoney's big time. Foy Las vegas Latest Bob'sHow appropriate this picture is. We just got a new Bob's in Pasadena, near the corner of Lake and Delmar. Small, with stores on each side. Plan on a COMBO soon! Big Boy 1960I used to eat at that Bob's in the photo. It was located on what is now the front grounds of the Pasadena City College Library. Bob's on ColoradoWOW it really was there! I have the Coffee Shop sign from over the door and have never seen a picture of the shop itself. Any other pics would be awesome. (ShorpyBlog, Member Gallery, New Year)
Alley Kittens: 1955
... similar styles on gals at the hip lounges downtown today. Cheers vintage and retro! Not so much like Mamie These ladies' hair ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 02/07/2013 - 4:47pm -

May 7, 1955. "Beales bowling banquet party." Cocktails with the three amigas. Make mine a triple. 35mm Kodachrome from the "Linda" slides. View full size. Good old GertIf that doesn't look like my mom on the far right with two of her bowling buddies from the 60's, I don't know who does. The "ladies who bowled" lived for that banquet at the end of the season so they could get all dressed up, go out, tip a few drinks and get their prize money awarded so they had a little extra for a new ball or shoes. Thanks for the memories. Put the Blame on MameAs a young boy in the early 50's I well remember this hairstyle on the ladies left and center. It was highly popular on women of a certain age as styled similar to that of First Lady, Mamie Eisenhower. I just thought it was ugly then and now. FlashedThis picture is like many color pictures I've taken with a flash. A flash can take an attractive person and make her look like those in the photo. Bees' KneesWow, those cocktail dresses are lovely! It's nice to see similar styles on gals at the hip lounges downtown today. Cheers vintage and retro! Not so much like MamieThese ladies' hair looks stiff as bristles, probably from hairspray or some of the other products available back then (remember "Dippity-Do"?) but to my eyes (I was also a young boy in the early 1950s) they don't look much like Mamie. She wore bangs for one thing (nothing new under the sun Michelle!). And agreed about how the flash makes these women look: the one on the left looks postively predatory. MemoriesI was 3 years old when this was taken, this brings back memories of what my mom looked like then -- red lipstick with no other makeup, the hair and clothing styles. Even the clip-on earrings that seemed so popular then (other than maybe the lady on the right?). I guess not as many women pierced their ears back in the day. Flashed or Flushed?It could be those rosy cheeks are more the result of 10 frames of bowling alley cocktails rather then the measly flash of a camera. Window treatmentThat makes me want to go out and find curtains like that. That whole Mid Century Hawaiian Tiki thing is going on! I remember whenI remember how every event was an occasion for a corsage. Couldn't wait to grow up and get my flowers. Sadly, it was completely out of fashion by the time I was old enough to wear them. (Linda Kodachromes)
Dave: 1910
... nice pictures all around! cheers! nick Huck Finn! If ever there was a picture of Huck Finn, this ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/26/2011 - 3:49pm -

Dave, a young "pusher" at Bessie Mine. Jefferson County, Alabama. December 1910. View full size. Photograph and caption by Lewis Wickes Hine. this is in Birmingham, AL.this is in Birmingham, AL. we're trying to turn Red Mountain, where this may have been taken, into a huge recreational park bigger than Central Park in NYC. Check out the info: www.redmountainpark.org nice pictures all around! cheers! nick Huck Finn!If ever there was a picture of Huck Finn, this has got to be it! PusherI noticed that Dave is a "pusher." What is a pusher's job in a coal mine? I want to know more about him!Too bad all we have is his first name, or I would be begging Joe Manning to do research on Dave! I wonder if it would be possible to find out about him, given the information we have. (The Gallery, Birmingham, Kids, Lewis Hine, Mining)
Slinky Turtle: 1968
... I celebrate Christmas with my darling 27 year old! Cheers all! Name & Place unknown? Could you tell us where the ... 
 
Posted by twaits - 12/17/2015 - 10:14pm -

My sister Christine, probably Christmas 1968. Which was my own first Christmas, as this was the year I was born. 35mm slide. View full size. AdorableSimply adorable. Makes you yearn for simpler times. The necklaceI'm about your sister's age and my sister had one of those necklaces. It opened up and there was a tiny doll inside. I haven't thought about that in years. Thanks for the memory! Next to her heart ...Nestled between the Slinky and herself, an adorable Little Kiddles Locket doll by Mattel. Hard to tell exactly which one she is, but Little Kiddles were beloved by little girls of that era. She probably loved her Little Kiddle more than the Turtle! Slinky Fun -- NotAh, Slinky! The original frustration toy! I could never get it to "walk" down the stairs like the commercial suggested. Inevitably I would give up and try to make standing waves instead, which always ended in a ball of twisted metal. I don't think I ever got more than 30 minutes of "fun" out of any these. Eventually I just learned to avoid them. What a sweet photo!Wonderful photo! My husband and I were talking about Slinkys the other day and I told him how we never had a plain Slinky, but we had a Slinky dog, a pull toy much like the Slinky turtle. I remember we were disappointed in it. It didn't roll very well on its wheels and it stretched too long. But for some reason I chose it to take to show-and-tell in Kindergarten one week! And thanks to Stephanie for posting the pic of the Kiddles Locket doll. I had totally forgotten about those! It bothers me though, how I can't remember if my sisters and I had them, or if friends we knew had them. Also anti-SlinkyI have to side with KathyRo when it comes to Slinkys. They were annoying and unfun. We lived (usually) in Florida or Louisiana, so no stairs. I usually would spend five minutes with a Slinky doing the "pretending to juggle" activity, and then I go on to something more enjoyable like using an Etch-A-Sketch or annoying my little brother. Have to register pro-SlinkyI went through many of the plain Slinkys because they got tangled. On stairs you need to lift them and throw it down at the next step. My most exciting Slinky endeavor was in high school physics class where we were studying wave propagation with 30 foot Slinkys and I got one to walk down a 20 foot stairwell in one bound. This photo is precious and I will be remembering my daughter as she looked like this girl while I celebrate Christmas with my darling 27 year old! Cheers all! Name & Place unknown?Could you tell us where the picture was taken. So: where were you born? Old Town, MaineAlex, this is where I grew up in Old Town, Maine. My father still lives there. (ShorpyBlog, Member Gallery)
Auld Lang Syne: 1925
... Here's to another year of great photos and commentary! Cheers (and the gals were quite less wild this year) HAPPY NEW YEAR ! ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 12/31/2014 - 5:11pm -

From somewhere in England circa 1925 comes this 4x5 glass negative of two libated and liberated ladies lounging in their pyjamas by the garden wall. Shorpy lifts his glass in a toast to them, to you, and to the New Year! View full size. Ladies Of The EveningDave, I don't think you should be showing a photo like this. One of those women could be some reader's Great Grandmother. In any case let us all enjoy the New Year. "Still Going Strong" Like Shorpy!That appears to be a bottle of Johnnie Walker Red Label on the right (the color red being light in ortho film images). Happy New Year and thanks for the work you do for a great site! Should auld acquaintance be forgotLet us find them on Shorpy! Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year everyone! Here's to another year of great photos and commentary! Cheers (and the gals were quite less wild this year) HAPPY NEW YEAR !A very happy, healthy, peaceful and prosperous New Year to "Shorpyites" wherever you are around the world.... A special THANKS! to Dave and tterrace - your wonderfully nostalgic pictures have triggered so many memories of my own childhood, and family and friends long gone. You have made MY world a better place. PEACE & LOVE TO EVERYONE ! Gracious & FlirtatiousI wish my New Year greeting to Shorpy and Shorpy-ites could be half as gracious and flirtatious as these ladies' toast seems to be. I want to party with them tonight!Best New Year wishes to all Shorpy brothers and sisters, with special gratitude to Dave and tterrace for providing this great site and creating this dynamic community. SaludLet's all party like it's 1925. Now, where do I find a designated carriage driver with horse sense? (Found Photos, New Year)
Flower Girl: 1955
... an amazing website, easily one of the best there is. Cheers June 1955 was a momentous month for me. That's when I was born. ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/03/2012 - 12:40pm -

June 1955. "Ballerina Janet." I sense a school play or dance recital coming up. Our first look at yet another batch of color slides found on eBay. View full size. LusciousThis is nothing short of absolutely splendid! FlowerchildHas anyone ever seen a lost photo of themselves here and gotten in touch with you ? I have finally registered and want to say Thank You for an amazing website, easily one of the best there is. Cheers June 1955 was a momentous month for me.That's when I was born. Ballet recitalI believe her feet are in fourth position. (Kermy Kodachromes, Kids)
Thanksgiving: May 1925
... them. ... The line of service men had passed when cheers rent the air as up the White House driveway dashed Tom Mix on his famous ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/11/2011 - 9:01pm -

May 21, 1925. "White House garden party for wounded veterans. President and Mrs. Coolidge greeting guests." National Photo glass negative. View full size. And Tom Mix Too Coolidges Are Hosts at Fete to Veterans White House Lawn is the Scene of A Unique Garden Party One thousand world war veterans in the service hospital in and around Washington were the guests in whose honor President and Mrs. Coolidge entertained at the first garden party of the season at the white house yesterday. It was a red letter day for those heroes of America who are still paying the price of victory. The day was perfect as to sunshine and weather; pretty girls galore thronged the lawns eager to minister to the veterans' wants; high ranking officers of the army and navy, the Cabinet and uniformed groups of Red Cross workers helped to make the afternoon memorable for the guests. Promptly at 4 o'clock the President and Mrs. Coolidge escorted by the President's military and naval aides in summer uniforms of white, came down the steps of the south portico and took their places under a spreading maple tree just a few yards from the driveyard. As soon as the presidential party took their places the line of veterans was formed and passed before them while the Marine band played patriotic airs. The line that passed was a panorama of defenders of America. There were men in civilian clothes; but with medals of honor proudly displayed on their breast; men in army khaki, marine green and navy blue; Red Cross nurses, who had seen overseas service; men without arms, men blinded in battle, men on stretchers, men whose bodies were mere shells of what they once were, the mutilated who were carried by comrades to receive the presidential greetings. It was a smiling President, a tender and sympathetic President and an equally smiling and sympathetic first lady of the land who greeted them. ... The line of service men had passed when cheers rent the air as up the White House driveway dashed Tom Mix on his famous pony "Tony." Like boys running to a fire the veterans crowded around the popular actor. "Tom" was in fine feather and dashed up and down the White House driveway retrieving his hat from the ground as he rode at break neck speed, stood upright on the pommels of his saddle while he rode and performed other "stunts." An interesting feature was the presence of a living bouquet of American Beauties, 48 girls from the veterans bureau representing the States of the union. They were dressed in light spring dresses of different colors and wore broad sashes on which were printed the names of the States they were sponsoring. This feature was arranged through Director General Hines and Mrs. Lillian M Pugh was in charge of the group Washington Post, May 22, 1925 ThanksThank you again stanton for shedding light on one of the great Shorpy pictures. It's great to learn more about the circumstances surrounding the pictures. Thank you.My son had the day off from school, and we looked at these pictures together and talked about what today meant. The pictures were touching and lovely. That said, I want Mrs. Coolidge's hat. (The Gallery, D.C., Natl Photo, Politics, Public Figures, WWI)
Crate & Barrel: 1864
... manhandled between producer and final consumer. Three cheers for the twenty foot intermodal container! Old City Point no more ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 06/12/2015 - 11:52am -

"City Point, Virginia. Federal headquarters during the Siege of Petersburg, 1864-65. Unloading vessels at landing." Wet plate glass negative. View full size. ManhandlingI am always amazed about the masses and volumes they had to manhandle before somebody invernted forklifts and other mechanical/ powered cargo moving devices. Not to mention how often cargo (even bulk cargo like cotton, coal, etc.) had to be manhandled between producer and final consumer. Three cheers for the twenty foot intermodal container! Old City Point no moreA town annexed by the city of Hopewell in 1923. The Civil War logistics port pretty much now makes up a part of the Petersburg National Battlefield park system. (The Gallery, Boats & Bridges, Civil War)
Mainstream Media: 1899
... when one goes from memory rather than looking it up. Cheers. Boston Yacht Club Since Chesterton was the Commodore of the ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/20/2017 - 12:02pm -

Circa 1899. "Steamboat A.W. Chesterton." Brought to you by the Boston Globe. 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size. America's Cup?'Circa 1899" is not much to go on, but she is decked out like the pictures I have seen of the press boats covering the America's Cup. There were two defenses in that period, Columbia against Thomas Lipton's Shamrock in 1899 and Columbia again against Lipton's Shamrock II in 1901. If this was indeed an America's Cup event then the shoreline is a bit curious because the races were held in New York Harbor. It is possible she was based in either Marblehead or Newport, and is on her way to New York. This would explain the relatively small number of individuals on board. In any case my father would have appreciated the seamanlike manner in which her fenders are stowed. Commodore of the Boston Boat ClubA.W. Chesterton founded a company, in Boston, selling steamboat supplies in 1884. The business exists to this day, greatly expanded. Chesterton himself was one time Commodore of the Boston Boat Club. I stand corrected. It was the Boston Yacht Club. That's what happens when one goes from memory rather than looking it up. Cheers. Boston Yacht ClubSince Chesterton was the Commodore of the Boston Yacht (not Boat) Club, then this picture was likely taken at Marblehead, where the clubhouse still is. Given the flags, it is likely a press boat on its way to New York Harbor for the 1899 or 1901 America's Cup. The Tugboat A W Chesterton (1889-1903)The tugboat "A W Chesterton" pictured above was launched in 1889, as one of a handful of tugs that worked out of the T Wharf in Boston, MA. She was mentioned in various newspapers articles from 1890 to 1903, towing various disabled boats from locations as varied as RI to Maine. Picking a harbor location seen in this photo will be difficult! Her days motoring under this name however came to an end in December of 1903, when she and the other six tugboats that made up the Suffolk Tugboat Company went up for auction, for "failure to pay the coal bill." She was sold to the Eastern Dredging Company for $4,500, and renamed I would assume, as no further mention of any tugboat name A W Chesterton could be found. (The Gallery, Boats & Bridges, Boston, DPC)
Turn-of-the-Century Barroom
... the pictures they would show at the start of the TV show "Cheers." This is from the collection of Charles Gallienne, my wife's ... 
 
Posted by henpitts - 02/14/2008 - 5:17pm -

A real neat barroom scene. Think of the pictures they would show at the start of the TV show "Cheers." This is from the collection of Charles Gallienne, my wife's great-grandfather. Is this Liverpool or is this southern Alabama? Help! An educated guess...If you are able to date the photo on or after 1915, you can be sure pretty sure this wasn't in Alabama. The state went dry by legislative act that year, five years before the Volstead Act of 1920. Barroom?I don't think this is a barroom. It looks more like a diner to me. Notice the salt and pepper, sugar bowls, and oil and vinegar cruets on the counter. There is a large coffee urn in the rear. I don't see any liquor bottles or beer taps at all. As to where it is located, I don't have a clue. Not a barroomNow that I look at the picture, Dewey is right. It is some sort of diner. By the way I have a blow up of the cans that are stacked. Chili ConCarni. What is that used for? [Eating. - Dave] (ShorpyBlog, Member Gallery)
Tractor Doctor: 1940
... felt that sign-torturing wind for almost eight decades! Cheers! (The Gallery, Agriculture, Cars, Trucks, Buses, John Vachon, Rural ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 10/01/2020 - 2:13pm -

October 1940. "Metal sign blowing in the wind. Doyon, North Dakota." 35mm acetate negative by John Vachon for the Farm Security Administration. View full size. Railroad DepotAs interesting as the sign and the old tractor are, what are my eyes drawn to? The depot, railroad tracks and the baggage wagon! That wind is familiar to meI've never been to Doyon, but according to Google it is only a few hours' drive from my location. I am due north from it across the 49th Parallel, residing in my childhood home on the outskirts of a tiny hamlet in southern Manitoba, Canada. I have seen, heard and felt that sign-torturing wind for almost eight decades! Cheers! (The Gallery, Agriculture, Cars, Trucks, Buses, John Vachon, Rural America)
Nick Noir (Colorized): 1924
... thought your Funny Girl was really well executed! Cheers. (Colorized Photos) ... 
 
Posted by photojacker - 12/23/2012 - 6:46pm -

Colorized from a Shorpy original. I've seen two different versions of the American Railway Express logo; one in green with red lettering, and the red diamond version here, a more obvious precursor to the Railway Express Agency which would be incorporated in 1929. Apologies if I have any of the uniform colours wrong. View full size. Mood EnhancingThese colorizations from photojacker are marvelously subtle and evocative. This one is my favorite, but check out the Texaco Station and the Two-Bit Hotel. Lovely work. Thank you!Hey Tacoma thanks for your kind words! I'm a big fan of Dave's amazing curation and restorations and the really amazing community dedicated to history over here. I'm honestly like a kid in a sweetshop picking subjects to do. I thought your Funny Girl was really well executed! Cheers. (Colorized Photos)
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