From the monthly archives:

November 2009

Rayville Motel

November 30, 2009
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A quick look at Google’s “street view” reveals that this motel is but a memory. (although I suspect it’s demise was fairly recent) I wonder what became of that swell sign? The description on the back of the postcard:
As Modern as Tomorrow
24 Units of Style, Beauty and Comfort
Private Tile Baths – Telephone in every room
Vented [...]

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The Air Mail

November 29, 2009
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This photo shows the Liberty Theater, 507 Ninth Street, N.W. in Washington, D.C.  The Air Mail, released by Paramount Pictures in 1925, starred Warner Baxter, Billie Dove, and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.  While it was met with critical apathy, the production of the film is rather interesting, with much of it filmed in the ghost [...]

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Ray Schalk

November 29, 2009
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Hall of Famer Ray Schalk, shown here in 1913, joined the Chicago White Sox in 1912. Besides holding the record for the most bases stolen by a catcher (176), Schalk is also distinguished for being one of the three players that were not involved in the “Black Sox” scandal. (the others were second baseman Eddie [...]

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Pioneer Locomotive

November 29, 2009
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This was the first locomotive to operate out of Chicago. Called the Pioneer, it was built in 1837 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was originally used by the Utica and Schenectady Railroad in New York. It was later acquired by the Chicago and North Western Railway and put into service there [...]

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Suzuki Trailhopper

November 29, 2009
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From a 1971 magazine, this advertisement is for the Suzuki Trailhopper. A competent little machine, it could be said that the Trailhopper came along too late, as the trend from “mini-bikes” to “mini-cycles” had already begun.

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A Good Lunch

November 28, 2009
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Long before today’s food pyramid, we were encouraged to scarf down a hot dish (including meat and vegetables), a sandwich, a piece of fruit, and a glass of milk. I’m stuffed. This WPA poster dates from the late 1930s.

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He’s Coming

November 28, 2009
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Another lithograph that advertises Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. This one is very bold, with a simple layout that works only because of Cody’s great fame.

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Buffalo Bill’s Wild West

November 28, 2009
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Buffalo Bill was the consummate showman, his wild west show entertaining audiences across the globe. Many promotional posters for the show exist, and I thought this one was interesting for it’s depiction of a green indian. A green redskin?!

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Milk for Health

November 28, 2009
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Countless posters were made by the WPA (Works Progress Administration) for all sorts of announcements, many in the form of public health messages. These three were all created for the Cleveland Division of Health, and promote the dietary benefits of milk.

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Bicycle Camp, Springfield, Mass. 1883

November 27, 2009
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This poster advertises the Bicycle Camp, Exhibition and Tournament put on by the Springfield Bicycle Club. It’s interesting to note that the lithograph was printed by Milton Bradley, the same Springfield-based company that would go on to become the leading board game manufacturer.

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Clyde Fitch’s Girls

November 27, 2009
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Girls was written by Clyde Fitch (1865-1909), the first American playwright to publish his work. Fitch was also the first American playwright to gain a high degree of respect in both the U.S. and Europe, and wrote over sixty plays before dying from an appendicitis attack at the age of 44.

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Honda SL-100

November 27, 2009
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Here’s my Honda SL-100 after I modded it to be more suitable as an off-road machine. I had a bike magazine (I wish I could remember which one) that had an in-depth article on hot-rodding the SL-100, and I implemented a number of those changes.

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Two-Wheeled Friends

November 27, 2009
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As is often the case with color prints of this vintage (probably 1972), this photograph is a little worse for wear. The motley crew shown here consists of, from left to right, Mike, his older brother Troy, myself, and Greg. These are some of the guys that I often rode with, particularly Troy and Mike. [...]

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The Dip of Death

November 26, 2009
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What I wouldn’t give to have seen this! The description reads:
“L’Auto Bolide Thrilling Dip of Death – M’lle Mauricia de Tiers, The Fearless Young and Fascinating Parisian, In A Dreadful, Headlong Leap, Loop and Topsy Turvy Plunging Somersault With An Automobile. The Sensation of Sensations, Which May Be Aptly Termed A Fearful Frolic With Fate. [...]

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The Bike-Chute Aeronaut

November 26, 2009
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I’ve been unable to find any details about Charles H. Kabrich, “the only bike-chute aeronaut”, but there must have been more to his show than a bike substituting for a gondola. I’ll keep my eyes peeled, and maybe more information will turn up. The lithograph is marked with the year 1896.

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Service Station

November 26, 2009
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Service station, possibly around 1930, maybe in the Washington, D.C. area. Photographer unknown.

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Truck Stop Vittles

November 26, 2009
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Truck stop on U.S. 1 (New York Ave.) in Washington, D.C. The photo was taken in June of 1940 by Jack Delano. Happy Thanksgiving, y’all.

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Bimbo of Bombay

November 25, 2009
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Unfortunately I’ve been unable to find any information about the “Magical Musical Comedy”, Bimbo of Bombay. I haven’t a clue as to what the show was about, but it sure looks fun! It was performed in the late 1800’s, and I’ve found one other monochromatic poster advertising the show.

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