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iTunes: 1920
... Update: tterrace reveals this to be the noted baritone John Charles Thomas. New York or vicinity circa 1920. There are around a dozen pictures in the Bain archive of this fellow, all labeled "Thomas" -- perhaps a composer, ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/09/2012 - 11:41am -

Update: tterrace reveals this to be the noted baritone John Charles Thomas.
New York or vicinity circa 1920. There are around a dozen pictures in the Bain archive of this fellow, all labeled "Thomas" -- perhaps a composer, songwriter or singer. 5x7 glass negative, George Grantham Bain Collection. View full size.
The little thingsI know in the next few comments we are going to learn the make and model of that lovely Victrola, and whether the thing he is holding is a "remote" or a microphone or a "mute" control. We will learn what fabrics his suit is made from, and funny comments will be made about his tie and, God forbid, his hairstyle. He will be compared to a young Edward G. Robinson, or a young George Reeves, both the carpet and blanket will be described with their present value on eBay listed -- but I've gotta tell you, I'm still figuring out the amount of work and measurement required to get that moulding cut and affixed to the planter.
WOWZA!Check out those nifty slacks!
Stocking-stufferI wonder what the significance is of his trousers being tucked into his stockings, in both pictures.  I can't remember seeing too many pictures from the 1920s with them worn like that, except in golfing attire.
I rather like the singer with his hair loose and natural!
Smokeless Hookah"Thomas was just beginning to get the giggles after demonstrating his new smokless hookah."
For your listening enjoymentThis gent---not sure who Thomas is/was---is using the Graduola device on the Aeolian-Vocalion phonograph.  This was Aeolian's highly touted means of varying the sound output from a record, i.e. a volume control.  The knob attached to a wire inside the cable, and by pulling or pushing on the knob it would act on a damper under the tonearm to stifle the sound by varying degrees.  When not in use, the knob and cable resided in the cabinet (see that hole just to the left of the speaker grille).  This device didn't take the buying public by a storm, but to be fair it was being offered at a time when the American marketplace was being bombarded by phonographs from a great number of suppliers. Aeolian had been a piano and organ builder of notable repute for some time, so such a phonograph was its effort to gain a place in the market.  This is the first time I have seen the use of the grille in the part-open position, and the benefit is hard to determine.       
Nom de CroonLike "Prince"  or "Madonna," Thomas needed only one name.
Nice comfortable pose, by the way.
Harry Lauder Thomas might well be amused by one of Scotsman Harry Lauder's records.  Lauder was a popular artist circa 1920, well known for his comical recordings.  
I'll BiteActually, gblawson—F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Hair Apparent Or in this case Heir Apparent. If this were 40 years later he could have been one of Lloyd Bridges' sons.
JCTTo his friends he was affectionately known as Jack Chuck Tom for short.
Looks UncomfortableIt appears that you have to be in the crouch-sitting position in order to hear the music most effectively!
John Charles ThomasIt's renowned American operatic, concert and recording superstar John Charles Thomas (1891-1960), seen here in a shot similar to others in the Bain Collection. He recorded for Vocalion around this time.
[A noted baritone, he was also a crackerjack bench-whittler. Thanks tterrace! -Dave]
Golf KnickersRegarding landtuna's comment about the nifty "slacks", these are known as Golf Knickers, a virtually indespensible and fashionable item of clothing worn by the country club set in the Roaring 20's.  With the onset of the Great Depression, these went out of style practically overnight along with other acouterments of the Jazz Age such as knee-length, flat-chested dresses and cloche hats.  Here's golfing immortal Bobby Jones appropriately dressed in the mid-1920's.
John Charles ThomasThe singer was once incorrectly identified on a country music station in Texas. The announcer said: "Now here's an interesting looking record--it's got a classical label, sung by a trio, John, Charles and Thomas." It was included on a popular 1950s record called "Pardon My Blooper," by Kermit Schafer.
Thought bubble"Ahh, nothing can ever replace the rich, warm tones of acoustical amplification, certainly not those tubes the kids today use, they're so harsh sounding."
The affect of music.I have the same look on my face when I listen to my old Beatles records.
I knew you could do itWell done everyone, now where is that tape measure and Miter Master, I only have 14 more pieces to cut!
Let's Twist Again.For a moment there I thought he had a Chubby Checker record on.
KnickerbockersKnickerbockers like these were common in the UK and US for casual wear, especially in a rural setting.  Tucking the end of the breeches into the socks kept the bottoms out go the mud, brambles, etc when taking a stroll in the country.
Golf knickerbockers (called 'plus fours' where I grew up) were a little longer and baggier below the knee.  So called because they extended 4 inches below the knee.  Not being a golfer I don't know why the extra length was useful, but the basic purpose of keeping the trouser bottoms out of the wet grass was still the same. 
Where I live now (Switzerland) one still sees a few of the elder generation dressed in similar breeches for their Sunday walks along the 'Wanderweg'.
(The Gallery, G.G. Bain, Music)

Ruby: 1915
New York, December 11, 1915. "Mrs. John Charles Thomas." The singer Ruby Rothnour, wife of the noted baritone . ... got a divorce in Reno. 5x7 glass negative, George Grantham Bain Collection. View full size. Eeek Gotta say those creepy dolls ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/19/2012 - 5:40pm -

New York, December 11, 1915. "Mrs. John Charles Thomas." The singer Ruby Rothnour, wife of the noted baritone. In 1923 she got a divorce in Reno. 5x7 glass negative, George Grantham Bain Collection. View full size.
EeekGotta say those creepy dolls probably caused the divorce.
Naked BreakfastNew York Times, Feb. 5, 1923.


BARITONE'S WIFE OBTAINS DIVORCE
Mrs. John C. Thomas Charged
Husband's Cruelty Caused Her
To Lose 28 Pounds
        RENO, Nev., Feb. 4 -- Ruby Thomas, wife of John Charles Thomas, an American baritone, obtained a divorce in the District Court here late yesterday. Cruelty was charged in the complaint, Mrs. Thomas testifying that his treatment caused her to lose weight from 130 pounds to 102 pounds, at which figure she now tips the scales.
        Thomas was temperamental, Mrs. Thomas testified, and on one occasion he bit her until the blood ran from her shoulder, she said. On another occasion Thomas did not like the gown she wore at the breakfast table, and, in the presence of a male guest, is alleged to have torn the garment from her body, leaving her almost nude.
        The couple were married in Baltimore in 1913.

Well, that's just plain dental crueltyNipped her on her shoulder, did he? Maybe he was just passing along a hello from Bela Lugosi. Here in Baltimore where the songbirds tied the knot, word in the crab cake houses was JT was spending too much time painting that damn car of his and fooling around with the Graduola device on his "fancy-schmancy" Aeolian-Vocalion phonograph.
Good for herKnowing that divorce was very uncommon in those days, my hat goes off to her for getting one in order to get away from an abusive husband.  He sounded like a horrid man.
Those ShoesI couldn't tear my eyes away from them. Her shoes I mean.
(The Gallery, DPC, G.G. Bain, Portraits)

Touch-Up: 1920
The baritone John Charles Thomas, last glimpsed here , showing his non-musical side. 5x7 glass negative, George Grantham Bain Collection. View full size. Ever-Ready Automatic Starter The ... three days! (The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, G.G. Bain) ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 01/22/2012 - 2:28am -

The baritone John Charles Thomas, last glimpsed here, showing his non-musical side. 5x7 glass negative, George Grantham Bain Collection. View full size.
Ever-Ready Automatic StarterThe device shown was an after-market accessory used to retrofit cars that originally did not come with electric self starters.  Electric self starters became available on 1912 Cadillacs and spread to other cars very rapidly so that by 1920 virtually every new car had an electric self starter. These spring-type starters were available for at least five years before the electric self starter, but they were not very popular.
(The car he is working on appears to be a Renault.  Note that he has removed his headlamps to prevent getting any paint on the polished brass.)
The following short article and picture is from "The Automobile," January 4, 1912, Page 36:
The Ever-Ready starter, which is attached to the front of the car in place of the ordinary starting crank, has been manufactured for some years by the American Ever-Ready Co., New York.  It is about the size of an ordinary automobile headlight and looks like one reversed.  There are two powerful springs in the device which are released by a very slight pressure on a pedal which is located near the driver's seat.  The illustration shows the starter in use.  When released the springs revolve the crankshaft six or eight times at a speed of about 300 revolutions per minute.  Once the engine is running it rewinds the device automatically.  When wound it disengages and is ready for the next operation.  The starter will start the motor if it is in condition to run.  However, if for any reason the engine is out of order and the device unwinds without starting it the former can be rewound by hand.  This is made safe and easy to do by a set of reducing gears.  The company makes three sizes of starters for engines of various horsepowers.
Eveready Automatic Engine Starter!Was that factory or an aftermarket accessory.
I hope he gets the same comment as I did when I painted a 1948 Mercury:  "Did you paint it with a broom?"
Thanks Shorpy!I wandered in here when this was on the front page and the Eveready caught my interest, short work with a search engine led me to the archives of a Model-T forum, which has eaten my spare time for the last three days!
(The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, G.G. Bain)
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