The Lady Violinist

My favorite violinists are Stuff Smith, Stephane Grappelli, and Regina Carter.  If you don't know who they are, you're not a jazz fan.  From the forties or fifties, I would think.

Strike Up the Band

No names, dates, or locations on this one, and it's hard to guess based on a band uniform.  

Number 750, Men In Skirts

 I don't know why 750 is a significant number.  I get the whole three quarters to 1000 thing, but why is it better than, say 800, 8/10s to 1000?  Anyway, going on tradition, it's time for another visit to the lightly visited early days of The New Found Photography in honor of post number 750!

As I've mentioned more than a few times, I spent decades as a professional black & white printer.  In all those years, I printed thousands of negatives of men wearing women's clothes.  Some were like these two guys, fooling around for the camera.  Some were guys who went all out, with not just clothes, but wigs and make-up.  And some were so good, that if I hadn't been told, I would have assumed they were actual women.

On the 40th Anniversary of Watergate

Forty years ago, today, a group of semi incompetent burglars broke into Democratic National Headquarters at the Watergate Hotel.  The were employees of CREEP, The Committee to Re-Elect the President.  Their capture lead to a scandal that would force the newly re-elected president to resign in disgrace.

I was born during the Eisenhower administration, have clear memories of both the Kennedy and Johnson years, but it was Richard Nixon's administration that was the  presidency of my youth.  I can remember the Watergate investigation, the press coverage, and the congressional hearings that, had Nixon not quit in disgrace, would have resulted in his impeachment, conviction, and removal from office.

The caption on the back of this postcard, "AMERICA'S FIRST FAMILY  President Richard M. Nixon and Mrs. Nixon are shown with their two daughters Patricia (Tricia) and Mrs. Julie Eisenhower and her husband, David.  It's evident that they're enjoying the President's piano playing."  The card was never mailed, Published by "Scenic AMERICA Postcards, BESSEMER, ALA. 35020."

Roy at the Piano

Well, that's what is says on the card and I'm going with it.  Is it just me, or does this guy look like Derek Jeter?

Number 700, Olita Brown and Her Dobro

Post number 700, (I never thought it would last this long.) and it's time to visit the past. When I first started putting up these old photos, I wasn't getting a lot of visitation. In a good week, I was lucky to get a dozen or so hits, and it wasn't uncommon to not have any. Because so many of the early posts have gone unseen, I've decided to do a repeat from those early days every so often. At least every 100, maybe more often, but not that often. This snapshot of Olita Brown and her Dobro was put up on August 8, 2009, and then I wrote a very brief paragraph about the history of the Dobro guitar. This time, I'm just going to suggest that the viewer click on the image to bring it up in a bigger window and check out that wild dress she's wearing. I can't imagine it was store bought. Click on musical instruments in the labels to see the original post and get a very brief over view of the Dobro.

The German American Collection, The Album 12

We've all shared the experience. Someone pulls out the guitar, and starts playing. More often than not, they're not very good, but no one is impolite enough to tell him to stop. I'm always amazed that men once wore suits, and women wore dresses to go hiking.

Charge With Brass

Fiorello LaGuardia, progressive Republican (Now there's an oxymoron!) mayor of New York City, while born in New York spent most of his childhood in Prescott, Arizona where his father was military bandmaster at nearby Fort Whipple. Before radio, television and the Internet, a talented bandmaster was worth his weight in gold at isolated military outposts. Bored soldiers far from home was not a good combination. Click on musicians in the labels section to bring up a photo of a World War 1, AEF military band as well as shots of small town coronet bands. Printed on postcard stock.

A Girl and Her Sax

Found inside a generic cardboard photo folder without a photographers name, studio mark, or date. Written on the outside of the folder in pencil, "Georgina Harriet Walker 4 yrs. old." Adolphe Sax, a Belgian instrument maker invented the Saxophone in 1841, one of the few instruments named after a person. The Sax in this photo seems to be sized for a child.

Arcadia, Pennsylvania Coronet Band

In my post of 5/6/10, The Munson Coronet Band, I noted that long before radio and television, it was common for many small towns to have local bands that played summer evenings in the town square. This is a real photo postcard, made when most professional photo processors had postcard stock on hand so that people could bring in their own negatives to have a custom postcard made. Hand written on the back, "Hoping this finds you all well as I am glad to let you know that we are all well. You will find me on this card if you look close. Hoping to hear from you soon. From your brother, John Currie Arcadia Pa." Addressed to, "Mr. Donald Currie, 320 Beech Street, East Pittsburg, Pa." Post marked, "ARCADIA, PA SEP. 18, 1908." Arcadia is a small town in Indiana County, north of Indiana, the county seat and birthplace of actor, Jimmy Stewart. East Pittsburg was absorbed into the greater city, years ago. And yes, Pittsburg was once spelled without the "H"

The Trombonist

Before the movies, radio, and television, small town America had local bands that gave summer concerts. The old wooden band stands can still be found, preserved, in many town squares. This is a nineteenth century photo of a trombonist. It's not easy to see, but he is wearing a band uniform.

Olita Brown and Her Dobro

Identified on the back, Olita Brown stands in front of an old car, holding her Dobro guitar. The Dobro is actually a trade name now owned by the Gibson Guitar Company. The Dobro was first made by the Dobro Company owned by the Dopyera brothers. John Dopyera invented a resonator guitar, with built in metal cones that amplified the sound of the guitar. The Dobro is very popular with country/blue grass musicians. Click on the image for a larger view, and the word "Dobro" can be seen on the guitar's neck.