Hypnotised by the best- SEXTUS!

I am often bound by books (instead of the other way around) because of the title, subject matter, age, images, author's name. In the case of this book, its all of them. Here's the cover:

 Though the cover is a little worn the book is in pretty good shape for 1893. I couldn't get enough of the symbol in the front, it was almost as if I had to buy this book.

The author is Carl Sextus and being the pun-ster and wordsmith I claim to be, this name needs to be published with all it's implied impropriety. Here is the man himself:

I am not one who believes in the restorative and manipulative power of hypnotism as Mr. Sextus promotes. This book is large and full of all the angles of Hypnosis, including how to hypnotize animals. Much of the book really seems to be said in defense of Hypnotism as if the author knows it isn't real but is convincing readers by using example after example, through personal testimonial of how he was able to accomplish his results. 
 Many of the plates feature Sextus at work:

Carl seems to be ready to do his Sextus thing on the ladies, or anyone who will watch. There is a disclaimer in the book that frowns upon using this talent to take advantage of the weak and unwilling...the willing, however, should steer clear of Carl.

Your 1904 Lunch Menu - Ox Tongue!

This post is by no means a strike against food companies from 100 years ago, because what is available to us today would shock or kill most late 19th century citizens. Canned meat processing was based on the diet of the times and it is likely that very little of the animal was wasted. Today is no different, but at least 100 years ago they labeled and canned and called it what it was...or at least Libby's did.

 

I've bitten my tongue enough times to know I wouldn't like the taste of any tongues no matter how much spices and salt have been added.

Guess the Gadget - Steam punk C-Clamp? Or, ...you decide

I was at a good estate sale yesterday, which may not have seemed like a dig, once I got to the basement, my quest was satisfied. There I found a 10' workbench that was clearly the site of many advanced project from the 60 or 70 years.  Although meticulously kept I was still able to find a few treasures. I wish I could remind myself "Self! Take pictures!" I get so wrapped up in talking and searching that I forget to look through the eyes of visitors to this blog.  Here is one piece I picked up, just because of the way it was designed.  

The person manning the basement and trying to clean up and sell heavier items had no idea either, though we could both guess. Here are more images, which should help you guess.

If you can provide some background on this, send me a note or leave it in the comments. Me and the rest of the interwebs will be most appreciative. I am already appreciative for Ed who tried to help me with this one, and as I left the basement, he followed and called ahead to his wife, "No Charge!" It turns out these folk I met there in Redding CT, where neighbors back in Brookfield. So glad I can still say "Small world..."

When in Hollywood...Ask for Babs

(EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the 2nd part of an article that I started writing on another site. To read Part One go here.)
Finding this Universal Studio Tour Guide from 1967 made me think of the final scenes of "Animal House."  One of the sorority sisters is stripped to her undies during the parade at the same time all main characters are presented with sub-title descriptions of what happens to them in later life."Babs" goes on to become a Universal City tour guide and to prove it, the movie ends with this card

 Other John Landis directed films carried this same title card at the end, and until 1989 you could get a free or discounted pass at Universal by asking for Babs.

Here is the continuation of the studio tour guide (the paper one, not the female one-sorry) images. 

You can click on any of these for a more readable image. I like the call-outs to the TV series' especially my favorite of the bunch "Dragnet." Question: Did Harry Morgan ever age, or was he born looking like he was 70?

I don't know why "Spartacus" is listed here, unless there is some theater in the world that hasn't shown it 7 years later. 

 If you always wanted to know what a Key-Grip is, well, this useful glossary will have you conversing like a Hollywood producer in no time.

Subliminal Ads #2 - See what's in it for you.

I have become fascinated with these ads. When I find one, it only makes me want to find another and try to see something intentional (or unintentional) in each. Take a look below:

Did you see what's in it for you?  I almost don't want to reveal it just to have you guess what you see and place it in the comments. Later, we could compare notes and I would bet that no 2 people would see the exact same thing. Here take a closer look and tell me what you see.

Did you see it? Did you see the lady in the glass? Now, look real close she right there!!! Actually, this is an ad for electrosol detergent. Here is the real reveal from my perspective as to what I see.

I always want to drink more when I see a lady kissing a monkey.............

"Will you come to my Fudge Party?" Said no one ever.

There are odd ads, and there are really odd ads, and then there is this ad.

Now, this is 1913, so 100 years ago it's entirely possible that someone really believed that chocolate was good for you, so...

I really like the unnecessary "...of it." that ends this ad.

Old Chestnut found in an attic

A chestnut or "old Chestnut" is a reference to an old joke or story:

Slang sense of "venerable joke or story" is from 1885, explained 1888 by Joseph Jefferson (see "Lippincott's Monthly Magazine," January 1888) as probably abstracted from the 1816 melodrama "The Broken Sword" by William Dimond where an oft-repeated story involving a chestnut tree figures in an exchange between the characters "Captain Zavior" and "Pablo":

Whether this is true or not, the phase or term is actually British in origin, and in this case refers to a scrap of paper I found while picking through an attic in Bethlehem CT this past weekend.

Click on the image to read the joke, it's old but a good laugh.

Video Dig Report

This was the kind of sale I like, and I was able to see it while it was being set-up. Watch below!


You've now seen the "before" maybe I should return to do the "after" video.

The Popular Science of Stork choking?

Face it, Storks love the smell of fine tobacco. So, save a baby's life and switch from those leaves and twigs you've been smoking! Other than the physical property of heated smoke being lighter than air...this ad just makes no sense. However, if it did make sense I couldn't post it, so thank you mad men of the early 20th century ad agencies.