Thursday, December 25, 2008

Merry Christmas!!!


This seems somewhat appropriate given the economy!

Thursday, December 11, 2008

"Kill Your Father" says Ouija Board


From James Lamkin of Vintage Photographs.

Vintage press photograph depicting the story of Mattie Turley, a 15-yr old Arizona ranch girl, who claimed that a Ouija board her to "Kill Your Father!"

Here's a transcript from the period:

“Mother asked the Ouija board to decide between father and her cowboy friend. As usual the board moved around at first without meaning. Suddenly it spelled out I was to kill father. It was terrible. I shook all over.

Mother asked the Ouija if shooting would be successful and it said that it would; she asked if he would die outright and it said no. We asked what should be used and it said with shotgun. We asked if we would have the ranch and it said yes.

We asked about the law, and it said not to fear the law, that everything would turn out all right. We asked how much the insurance would be and it said $5,000.

I tried to kill him next day but I couldn't. I lost my nerve. A few days later though, I followed father to the corral. I raised the gun, took careful aim between his shoulders and then I lost my nerve again. But I thought of dear mother and what all this would mean to her and I couldn’t fail. My hand was trembling awfully though.

I raised the gun and fired.”

Circa 1930's Wolf's Head Motor Oil Teapot



Great Depression-era example of a make-do teapot.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Studio Visit #1


I'm working on a companion piece for this right now. A frontal view. Pen and ink on canvas.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Page from a World War II Sailor's Scrapbook of the South Pacific


Made by Sailor Barry S. Tead Navy Signalman (1920-2005) Camp Pendleton, Calif. 1943.

Monday, December 1, 2008

"The Time of All Nations"


An unusual 19th century cdv of a number of clock faces showing the time differences around the world. Cities include New York, St. Petersburg, Calcutta, Algiers, Sydney and Vienna.

1860's Stereoview of Coral


Except the two pictures are not identical. Aren't they supposed to be?