December 30, 2010

Decadence

I hear Berlin in the 1920s was quite the hot spot.

Berlin, Germany
1920s

Man with model plane

Do you suppose this was the end stage, or did he finish it out and fly it?

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Girl with a white angora rabbit

It's both a pet and a sweater.

New South Wales, Australia
1930s, photographer Sam Hood

To continue a theme:

I swear, I am not actively looking for Venture Brothers photos. And yet, I present to you: Hank and Dean Venture.

Camp Stephens, Winnipeg

December 28, 2010

Revolución

Here is a story that should have been told.

Mexican Soldadera
1910s, photographer Agustín Casasola

Fenrir

I love this movie, but I had no idea it was a book before that. I know what I'll be getting my wee nephew before long.

The Saga of Erik the Viking
1983, illustrator Michael Foreman

A Bad Idea

Just don't. Don't do this. It's a terrible idea, and you'll have to explain it to the doctor.

Blazing Stewardesses
1975, creator Al Adamson

An Asp

From what I understand, that's correct. But factuality is the least of this photo's charms.

1905

Chomp

I honestly can't think of much that would persuade me to stand in the open mouth of a dead sperm whale. But this woman just seems to love it.

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Men of Iron, Ships of Wood

As a child, this is what I wanted to grow up to be. I was a little confused at the time about the current state of maritime technology.

Onboard the Parma
1932-33, photographer Alan Villiers

Sea Monsters

How much do you suppose sea monster hunters make in today's economy?

1887, illustrator Dan Beard

December 22, 2010

And I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

If you usually flip through here without enlarging any of the images, do yourself a favor and make an exception for this one. Go ahead, click on it, check out the details. The sailor with the peg leg gets to me.

Moby Dick illustration
2007, artist Tom Neely

Barnyard Dance

Cock-a-doodle-doo!
My dame has lost her shoe,
And master's found his fiddling-stick;
Sing doodle-doodle-doo!

Ring O' Roses: A Nursery Rhyme Picture Book
1905, illustrator L. Leslie Brooke

Omar Little

Even if you are not a Wire fan, this thijng is still a thing of beauty. Amazing screenprinting.

Poster
2010, artist Justin Van Genderen

Jolly Old Elf

If you're going to celebrate the season, do it with style.

Christmas Card
Late 50s, artist Grim Natwick

December 20, 2010

Launching

Can you imagine the noise and the wave it made?

USRC Gresham, Cleveland, OH
1896

December 17, 2010

Entertaining the Troops

I thought the marines had height requirements. How short is that kid? Jayne was only 5'8".Okay, so the heels do add. Man, that kid can't believe his luck.

A Marine Private First Class and Jayne Mansfield
Canada
1961

December 16, 2010

Portrait of Billie Holiday and Mister

I normally do not post two by the same photographer so closely together, but fuck it. I saw this one and had to grab it.

Downbeat, New York, N.Y.
1947, photographer William P Gottlieb

Beware Bootleg Meat

I knew they issued soldiers cigarettes. I just didn't know that the army issued singing monkeys.

Collier's
1943

The Pastels

I like this photo for their faces, but I sort of love it for her stocking feet.

Dave Lambert, Jerry Duane, Wayne Howard, Jerry Packer, and Margaret Dale
New York, N.Y.
1947, photographer William P. Gottlieb

December 12, 2010

A Simple Question

That's just beautifully done, is all.

Robeson Razor Co. booklet
early 1900s
from RobesonsRme

December 10, 2010

The Mildred

That looks so fake, I can hardly convince myself it's not a special effect.

Carrying slag from Newport to London
1912, in the book Shipwreck by John Fowles

December 8, 2010

Searched

This is the dirtiest clean picture I have ever posted.

Chicago House of Correction
1904

we make you sick

Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Darby Crash.

The Gutter
in the late 70s

On a Personal Note

I'm adding this one just for anyone who is curious but doesn't follow my mama's blog. That's me, the big fellow in the blue shirt, singing along with gusto, and a few of my nearest and dearest. So let it not be said that I won't put my picture up for comment as well. And speaking of comments, here we are at the end of another year, a year of odd images and old photos. If you follow this blog quietly, please at least say hi now. And, if you think about it, which of this year's pictures were your favorite?

Thanks for coming around, y'all.

St. Michael's Pub, Tallahassee, Florida
2010
from a Lucky Scars show, judging by the bottle

December 7, 2010

Delma's Dance Hall

I have to tell you, a running chicken is one of the funniest things you will ever see. I'd go watch a dancing hen any day.

Santa Claus, Indiana
1960s

Christian Death

Don't trust anyone over 30.

At The Broken Doll in Newcastle upon Tyne
1980s

December 6, 2010

Greasy Pole

That woman on the left is going to wish she had some aloe before long. Did middle class white women in the 60s know about aloe?

Aboard the 'Empress of Canada'
1961

Tea Time

There's nothing about this picture that I don't love. Roll us some, Daddy-o.

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Watching

The mother, the maiden, the crone.

Sicily
1943

December 5, 2010

Cereal and Archery

She'd shoot you soon as look at you.

The Sunny Side of Life booklet from Kellogg
1934

Shelter

This is the strangest goddam campsite I ever saw in my life.

Maryville, Tennessee
1890 - 1903, creator William Orland Garner

Bay Bridge under construction

If you've been following this blog, you know by now that I am a) scared of unprotected heights but b) fascinated with people testing such heights. Here's to you, insane bridge crew. I hope none of you plummeted to your deaths soon after taking this.

San Francisco, California
1935

Fur Bed

She's so hip, she can barely see past her own pelvis! Seriously, though, I want this bed. Is that a speaker and some mirrors built into it?

Graceland

The Courting Stick

The urge to canoodle will always win out over any attempt to suppress canoodling. Even if you have to think around corners to do it.

Massachusetts
photographer Clifton Johnson

1962 Pontiack

This one just made me chuckle. It sort of reminds me of my dad Glen - I can totally see him drawing cars this specifically as a boy.

Connecticut
1967

Ideas become FAR OUT!

If I'm reading this correctly, smoking weed can cause you to go from a normal looking cartoon to a crazed, whacked out chicken scratch cartoon. Or is that some sort of example of how your drawing style might change if you get too high?

Users are Losers comic book
1970

December 1, 2010

It's What's for Dinner

Actually, I had steak for supper.

2000s
Owen Smith

A Friendly Dance

Oh, to be a child in the spring, dancing with a giant bug.

Novelty Postcard