I've been working on a huge research & editing project that is likely to take the better part of 2025 to finish. There's no time for posting pics these days. I'll be back when I'm on the other side of this commitment. Till then, stay fresh.

The Eden Corn Festival was held this past weekend. Besides food, it featured many rural entertainments, including corn husking, corn hole & horseshoe competitions. My grandpa had a horseshoe court on his lawn. I tried it once as a child. Throwing a horseshoe 40 feet accurately was pretty hard.

“The North Wind goes over the sea,” illustration for “East of the Sun and West of the Moon: old tales from the North,” 1914 by Kay Nielsen (Danish, 1886–1957) I see so many precursors to contemporary anime in this striking illustration.

“Covered bridge. Northfield Falls, Vermont,” September 1937. Photo by Arthur Rothstein (American, 1915–1985.) Railroad crossing Look out for the cars How do you spell it Without any Rs?

Been feeling spicy lately.

The discourse regarding whether hair dyes are carcinogenic or not, is akin to the path of ciggies & pesticides. Scientists have known about the elevated risks for decades (esp for Black women.) But for 100+ years it’s been 🎵 wash away the grey 🎵 Stop encouraging women to use this shit.

I had occasion to ride thru the Cattaraugus Indian Territory recently. Dear Reader, those small independent trading posts that were once scattered throughout the reservation have grown; now they rival Walmart plazas in size. Not surprising. Perhaps even fitting, I suppose.

Seeing these Gordon’s Gin ads reminded me of the refreshingly sour summer drink called a Gin Rickey. My first taste was virgin – made with fresh lime, ice & seltzer (no gin, bourbon or rye). I like to add a squirt of unsweetened raspberry syrup.

"Puppy love is evident as Christina Goldsmith, 2½, kisses a young acquaintance. The Weimaraner makes a good household pet and an excellent watchdog." - LIFE magazine, June 12, 1950. Photo by Bernard Hoffman (American, 1913–1979)

Cover illustration for The Saturday Evening Post, August 11, 1917 by Neysa McMein (American, 1888–1949)

With the advent of lifestyle branding after WW2, advertisers increasingly associated products with a particular way of life. A middle-class lifestyle of ease & convenience was accessible to all consumers — you just needed to buy the right stuff.

It’s like night and day.

Untitled photograph from the series “Paris, 1956-1958” by Johan van der Keuken (Dutch, 1938–2001)

SIDEBAR: While I’m not particularly interested in the fragrances they held, I am fascinated by the exquisite juxtaposition of curve vs cut & solidity vs fragility that glassmakers have explored in their designs for perfume bottles.

Soir de Paris (Evening in Paris) by Bourjois was a popular, inexpensive perfume, sold in most department stores from the 1930s thru the late 1960s. Its charming advertisements were carefully crafted to embody the romanticism of mid-century Paris.

Fav Paris story: Robert Doisneau revealed that he had seen these lovers kissing, but had not photographed them initially because of his natural reserve. "I would never have dared to photograph people like that. Lovers kissing in the street. Those couples are rarely legitimate."

“Les Tour Eiffel dans les boules neigeuses” (Eiffel Towers in Snow Globes) 1949 by Robert Doisneau (French, 1912–1994)

In the 1920s & 30s, artists viewed the Eiffel Tower as a symbol of modernity. They created works that focused on the abstract forms afforded by its architectural design and novel perspectives related to its location.

“PARIS, Fly TWA Jets,” 1960 travel poster for Trans World Airlines promoting their flights to Paris by David Klein (American, 1918–2005)

"Nantucket sunbathing. Also Fishing, Lounging, Teenagers." August 1957. Photograph by Toni Frissell (American, 1907–1988) for the “Sports Illustrated” assignment "Nantucket Essay."

“First Day at the Beach,” cover for “The Saturday Evening Post,” August 11, 1956 by George Hughes (American, 1907–1990)

50 Years Ago Released on this day in 1974, The Rolling Stones “It's Only Rock 'n Roll (But I Like It)" If I could dig down deep in my heart Feelings would flood on the page Would it satisfy you? Would it slide on by you? Would you think the boy's insane?

Jantzen was the official suit worn by performers at the Cypress Gardens, a premiere tourist attraction in Central Florida in the 1950s. In this pic from 1953, Esther Williams rehearses a water skiing stunt (choreographed by Busby Berkeley) for the film “Easy to Love.”

Around 1943, Pete Hawley began illustrating ads for Jantzen clothing. It would prove to be a fortuitous business relationship. Over the next decade-plus Hawley established the signature look for the Jantzen company’s foundation garment ads.

Holy, Moly! Where’s the water?

“Labor Day at the Beach,” cover for The Saturday Evening Post, September 3, 1932 by J. C. Leyendecker (German-born American, 1874–1951)

This photograph, taken in 1942 by Russel Lee, echoes the understated elegance depicted in the Danvers “Summer Outings” poster from 1925. It’s a special outing. They’re neatly dressed & have lugged along a surprising quantity of accoutrements for their picnic.

This promotional poster was commissioned by the Underground Electric Railways Company of London, Limited in 1925, a precursor of the London Underground. Titled “Summer Outings by Private Bus,” it was illustrated by Verney L. Danvers (British, 1895–1973)

The central drama unfolding in this 1954 Stevan Dohanos illustration, for The Saturday Evening Post, is rather obscured by the many vignettes clustered around it. Take a close look. The family to the lower left definitely has the edge.

“I was curious … I tasted it … Now I know why Schlitz is … The Beer that made Milwaukee Famous!” What’s that about Grindr?

This rehearsal photograph of the (short-lived) National American Ballet was taken August 20, 1924. It is one of the most endearing depictions of aesthetic or free dance that I’ve seen. The Cottingley Fairies made manifest.

"Miss Inez Thomas of Dallas, Texas." Washington, D.C., circa 1920. Miss Thomas represented her city as the Duchess of Dallas at the 1916 San Antonio Fiesta.

“She was that “friend” you seldom see – who is luckier, more exciting, more everything – someone who does things you would never dare.” What are they advertising?

left: “Ritratto di Nenele,” 1950s by Ugo Celada da Virgilio; right: 4-H Club Dress Revue Winners for the 1951 Indiana State Fair

Grand Champion Belgian Stallion at the 1935 Indiana State Fair

Mrs. William Paxton and Her Prize Winning Bread at the 1946 Indiana State Fair. She won a toaster!

left: “Kenneth and Richard North Enjoying Cotton Candy at the 1930 Indiana State Fair;” right: In line for the Tilt-A-Whirl. July 1942. Photo by Russell Lee

“Travelling Carnival, Santa Fe,” 1924 by John Sloan; right: “Circus Night,” 1933 by Martin Lewis

"At the sideshow of the circus." Klamath Falls, Oregon. July 1942 by Russell Lee

Both my mom & nauna had pantries filled with canned vegetables in the basement. Those mason jars represented hundreds of hours of work & security from hunger. I thank them for their guardianship, but Lordy, I hope I never, ever have to can string beans again.

Paid in cherries

In 1938 an FSA resettlement project called the Ladelta Co-operative Association at Thomastown, LA was established. 147 farmsteads – consisting of a five-room house, a barn, a smokehouse & a poultry shed – were constructed for African American families who had been sharecroppers.

Gotta job to do, July 1942

left: “Mississquoi Corporation paper mill at Sheldon Springs, Vermont” 1941 by Jack Delano; right: “Paper Mill Worker Removing Waste from Machine” 1937 by Harold E. Edgerton

“Black Panther” 1954 by Yamaguchi Kayō (Japanese, 1899–1984)

Happened upon this photo from the Harris & Ewing Collection on Shorpy last night, circa 1905. Sailor tops: 6/9, giant hair bows: 7/9 (perhaps even 9/9)

To make a cool 7-Up float like this one, simply put two scoops of ice cream into a glass. Tilt the glass and pour chilled 7-Up gently into it. Then … sip, smack your lips, and enjoy! “Buy it by the Case!” 1952

"Girl who sells pieces of ore and Iron Range souvenirs to tourists. Hibbing, Minnesota." August 1941.

The Spirit of America

From ~1850 to ~1920 sailor suits were one of the most popular styles worn by children aged 4 to 10 years. While quite varied in embellishment, they often included chevrons, eagles, anchors, stars & trim, which closely mimicked the symbols of rank worn on actual naval uniforms.