Canoe From Glass Negatives

I've always thought of myself, not as a photographer, but as a printer. One of the frustrating things about no longer having a job at a photo lab, is not having access to large format enlargers. Like the Montana glass negative photos, (see the first post from this blog, published June 9, 2009.) I made these prints, not by making contacts, but by placing the negatives in an 8x10 enlarger and making blow-ups. Probably shot in the late 19th century, these two images show someone who is very likely using a canoe for recreation.

A Vacation at the Lake

My guess is that these images are from the late forties to early fifties. This woman, vacationing at a lake, isn't superficial, model, beautiful, but I'd say she is stunning in her own way.

Burlesque Show

I bought these negatives at a thrift shop. They were labeled "burlesque show." Burlesque was more than just strippers. There was also music and comedy. I'm guessing that this performer, with her (his) interaction with the band was probably more of a comedian than stripper. So why the "his" in parenthesis? Take a close look at the picture in the bikini top. That's either a photo of a very boyish looking woman, or a very slim young man.

The Wild Party

People my age seem to think that they invented recreational sex, that somehow people from past ages only did it to reproduce the species. These four small photographs, probably from the thirties or forties, show otherwise. But, were these two ladies paid entertainers or bored neighborhood housewives?

Twins by Murray Korman

Murray Korman was a theatrical and portrait photographer active in New York City. I haven't been able to find exact dates for when he started his studio or his retirement, but I have found references to him having shot silent movie stars. Too, at one time he did the mug shots for Joliet Prison. I haven't a last name for these two ladies who look enough alike, that they could be twins, or at the least sisters. When I scanned this photo, I cropped the borders off, and lost part of the inscription. It reads, "To Eddie, Will never forget the grand time in Las Vegas-thanks to you! Best wishes always Jeanette" If they were playing in a Las Vegas showroom, they were probably there in the 1950s.

Monaco Theatre Restaurant 1947

Another souvenir photo folder from the age of night club floor shows, dining and dancing. I've done an internet search for the Monaco, and couldn't find anything specific. The date written on the front of the folder, Feb. 6, 1947 puts this image in the immediate post war years that was the beginning of the end for this type of club. Printed on the inside front cover, "When in Los Angeles--Visit the Riviera 845 North Broadway" On the back cover, ""FOR ADDITIONAL PICTURES WRITE WALLACE-ZORN PHOTOS 935 MARKET STREET, ROOM 203, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. PHOTOGRAPHS ARE $1.25 EACH, TAX AND MAILING INCLUDED PLEASE MENTION THE MONACO DATE AND NUMBER ON BACK OF PICTURE AND WHETHER GROUP OR INDIVIDUAL PHOTO IS DESIRED"

For another photo folder, souvenir picture go to the archives for June 15, 09. Click on Old Heidelberg.

Bicycle Betty

I bought a packet of negatives advertised as being farm scenes from the 1930's. This is the only image that I was able to print before the lab I was working at went under. The seller was from Iowa, though that doesn't mean that this picture was taken in Iowa. And no, I have no idea what this young ladies name was. Betty just goes well with bicycle.