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Sunday, February 23, 2014

Where's the Flying Car I Was Promised!?

Okay, so there has been some progress, such as talking cars and talking phones, but I was hoping for something more. 
What was I expecting? The show that promised this future was a cartoon. George Jetson worked for a Sprocket manufacturer? The competition was a Cog manufacturer? George pressed a button all day...well, they got that part right. But, it wasn't the future I was hoping for. 


Don't take my rant too seriously; anyway, the good news: The future isn't here yet. 
I found this record at a recent sale and since both album cover art and the show are becoming a distant memory, I had to drop a dollar and buy it. I have nothing to play it on I would have to go right to cut # 5.


It's hard to believe that this episode "A Date with Jet Screamer" (1962) predated my birth as well as the British invasion. The question I have is who were the producers spoofing with Howard Morris as "Jet Screamer?"  Kudos if you can provide the answer in the comments. 

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

What do the Tin Man, Al Jolson, and Barry Goldwater have in common?

It sounds like the set-up to a really good joke, but you'll have to put you own punch line in the comment. Actually, they were all discovered at one of my recent "digs."
Jack Haley Jr Business card

My weakness, if you don't know already, is an ancient home with a lot of nooks and crannies. No, not necessarily like an English Muffin, but you get the general idea.

I shot the short video documentary while on location at this sale. You'll see that it was a true dig.
 


This was one of those sales where I could have spent all day and all my money. The only thing that stopped me is the desire to stay married and a serious lack of an airplane hanger to store these things. 

I was happy to keep the business card which may well have been handled by Mr Haley, but even if it wasn't the connections back to Hollywood are numerous and fun to discover. 

As the son of the well known actor who portrayed the Tin Man in the 1939 production of “The Wizard of Oz” Jack Haley Jr. was described as somewhat of a Hollywood Prince growing up. Known to hang around with his peers who were also offspring of Hollywood’s “A” list, it wasn't until his mid twenties that he settled in as a film producer. 


An interesting piece of Hollywood trivia is that “Junior” would eventually marry Liza Minnelli in 1974. The daughter of Judy Garland, Minnelli and Jack Haley Jr. make an interesting connection to the paths crossed by their parents so many years before. 
Barry Goldwater Campaign Stamps

The Barry Goldwater stickers are yet to be explained. Surely part of his 1964 bid for president, I assume these were to be attached to campaign mailings. If anyone can help me explain their purpose I would appreciate it. 
Shubert Belasko Theatre Program Al Jolson

Theatre Program Al Jolson



The program from the Shubert Belasko theater in Washington DC is a gem from just the age, 1921. I was surprised to see that it must have been kept because it featured a performance by Al Jolson. Its storied past and ultimate demise can be read here. 

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Men's Magazines You'll Read Just for the Ads Alone.

The covers are awesome too.

For just a dollar a piece I picked up 4 of these, at first, just for the covers alone. I didn't know the ads inside would be just as good.
Now, is this how he looks after taking the product we know today for treating athlete's foot? Might want to reread the label.
I didn't realize America had a Laxative Water, I know Mexico has one (my apologies for hanging the "Montezuma's Revenge" line out there for any of my South of the Border readers).

This illustration is one of my favorites


I would think that a razor that shoots fire would actually sell really well. You can't get a closer shave than the one fire provides.
Sounds like a lecturer bent on revenge, likely not a young Dale Carnegie.
It doesn't list "How to exact revenge!"
Here are a few more covers to show the skill level to which these were produced:


A little known fact about the The Elks (from their website): The Elks organization was founded in New York City on February 16, 1868 under the name "Jolly Corks" by 15 actors, entertainers and others associated with the theater. In ensuing years, membership expanded to other professions.

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Real? Fake? or just real fake? Part 2 : Broadside

I'd hear the term Broadside before, but I had never seen one. Few actually have ever seen one and even fewer have ever held one. The most famous broadside ever published were the copies of the Declaration of Independence printed by John Dunlap in 1776. 200 were made and only 25 have been found. To most pickers and diggers and to this Urban Archeologist, finding one of these is the penultimate goal...for a guaranteed retirement fund anyway.

Broadsides were around from approximately the 16th to the 19th century and likely their last gasp in North America would have been those that were printed during the Civil War. Like this one:

As browned and brittle as it is, I also know its a fake, or more accurately, a copy made in the 1970's Not to say that this could be valuable someday, but not for the reason most diggers would hope. Still an interesting replica of a "One Sheet - One Sided news announcement" which is what broadsides were. They also advertised executions and products. Gone now, but take a final look at the wording of this news of the star of the worst war to hit american soil:
 It was big news back then.