POLLY and PETER PERKINS

It's summer. Time for kids to play with toys that allow their imagination to flourish.

Here's another Polly and Peter Perkins. This one is from the April 1934 Pictorial Review.

Click on the image and you'll be taken to Flickr where you can download a larger copy. I'd recommend pasting the dolls onto an old cereal box in order to give them some stability. You could easily make a stand for each doll from some of the box. Hopefully there's some little kid out there who'll find hours of fun creating stories for the characters.

POLLY and PETER PERKINS

The Perkins kids. Once upon a time Polly and Peter Perkins were regulars in the magazine Pictorial Review. Pictorial Review was published from 1899 until 1939 when it merged with The Delineator. Polly and Peter's first issue was May 1933. They were in a total of 12 issues with the final being November 1934.

Illustrated by Gertrude A. Kay. I have not found anything online about Ms. Kay other than she also illustrated several children's books.

Click on image to see it larger. Paper doll people didn't need this instruction. They're already voraciously clicking and saving.

The BLOODY AWFUL WEEKEND redux

A few months ago, Willow, of Willow Manor, began a writing exercise for her readers called Magpie Tales. Well, anybody who reads either of my sites knows I'm not a writer, but I couldn't resist having some fun with the visual prompts she gives. So for the past three weeks I've taken a shot at creating something. The one for this week includes a piece of ephemera, an old magazine ad from a 1934 Delineator. So, I'm going to repost it here.

Willow maintains copyright to the photo of the toothbrush. All the other nonsense is 100% me. You'll figure that out pretty quickly. It is what it is, and nothing more.

_______

The BLOODY AWFUL WEEKEND

"I want you go and have fun."

"Yes, Mrs. Pedrovski."

"No, you listen to me. You just as good as these richie rich people. You are beautiful girl. Any man be lucky to have you."

Fay chewed on her lower lip as Mrs. Pedrovski picked lint from her jacket and fluffed the collar of her blouse.

"Mr. D'Orsay nice boy, good family. Him wanting you to meet his mother, all good. Now you have money for weekend?"

"Yes."

"Enough?"

"Enough."

"Two pair of shoes?"

"Yes."

"Okay. Good. All good. Toothbrush? Don't forget toothbrush. Rich people like white smiles. Good teeth, yes?"

"Yes Mrs. Pedrovski. I have everything. I'll be back Sunday night."

"Maybe, maybe not. Maybe he propose. Hmmmm?"

Fay smiled her picture perfect smile and rolled her deep blue eyes.

"Ja, you going to knock their socks off. Now go. Have fun. You young beautiful girl. You need to have fun. You work too much. Work not get you babies."

• • • • •

It was a three-hour drive to the D'Orsay family estate. Fay spent the time staring out the window of the 1933 Cadillac sent to retrieve her, looking at the back of the driver's head, and fingering a packet of tissues until there was nothing but small pieces like snowflakes in the bottom of her purse. Her breathing grew more rapid as the car turned off the highway onto the long winding driveway to the estate.

• • • • •

It was the afternoon of March 7th when Fay's friend asked, "Can you take my place at El Morocco tonight? I don't feel very well." Not feeling well turned into a pregnancy and a definite opening at El Morocco for a new hatcheck girl. Fay jumped at the opportunity. Since leaving Iowa behind, she'd found the streets of New York as hard as diamonds without the shine. No easy money, unless you were an easy girl. Fay was not an easy girl.

Four mornings a week Fay stocked windows at the Automat on Times Square. Three days a week she did typing at an ad agency on Madison Avenue. It was there where she'd gotten a break, being chosen to model for a few local ads, and now she'd broken into some national campaigns in a variety of magazines. It was all honest money and any money in 1934 was good money.

And then there was the night at El Morocco. Without tips a night at the El Morocco was just time wasted looking at pretty people having fun. This particular night was especially bad. One of the worst storms to hit New York all winter, virtually nobody had shown up to dance, eat, and check coats and hats. All Fay could think about was making it home through the snow laden darkened streets. And then he came in. James Brandon D'Orsay, only son of one of the wealthiest men in the state. On his arm was a seductive brunette dressed in satin and diamonds. They were loud, ostentatious, and drunk, but Fay longed for their frivolity. She watched them as they danced and laughed, the nightclub now seemingly open only for them. When they finally left at 1 a.m. James handed Fay a hundred dollar bill, then winked and said, "I'll see you later." There was something so Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers about the moment. Fay could imagine herself dressed in the satin and diamonds being escorted from the club on the arm of James Brandon D'Orsay.

Fay went to the movies far too often.

• • • • •

As the Caddy approached the house Fay could see James standing in the driveway holding a King Charles Spaniel. As the car rolled to a stop James opened the door.

"Oh darling Fay. You're here at last. Beautiful as always."

Fay stepped from the car imagining the first few steps as a dance.

"This is Bottoms, mother's dog."

Bottoms growled at Fay.

"Oh silly boy, you be nice to my darling Fay. She's here to spend the whole weekend with us, aren't you dearest?"

James placed Bottoms on the ground then linked arms with Fay as Bottoms scampered off chasing an imaginary rabbit. A butler carried Fay's luggage into the house.

"You'll have dear Aunt Prudie's room. She died last week, but we've moved her things out. It's all very tasteful." James turned to face Fay, squeezing her upper arms as he stared into her eyes. "I do so hope mother likes you."

• • • • •

The room was indeed tasteful, all done in mauve woolen prints and ivory satin. Fay wondered what it was about rich people and satin. She'd never owned anything made from satin and suddenly her life seemed to be filled with it.

A knock at the door was a young maid who'd arrived to unpack Fay's luggage.

"Is there anything special you'd like, ma'am?"

Fay looked around the room and towards the adjacent bath and shook her head "no." What could she possibly ask for? It looked like she had everything an Iowa farm girl could dream of.

As the maid began putting Fay's clothes in the armoire, Fay took her toiletries into the bath, placing her toothbrush and a tube of Ipana on the ceramic counter top.

• • • • •

Dinner was promptly at eight o'clock. The guests included Michael Vincent D'Orsay, James' uncle, and his wife Millicent, a woman of substantial girth and a droopy eye. Professor of Psychology Dr. Marshall Frantz, from the D'Orsay funded D'Orsay Mental Health Institute, was there with his "secretary" Mavis, a girl half his age and prone to burping followed by a giggle. James cousin, Wilfred Pompton Bradley, was also in attendance. Wilfred was all pomade and stiff shirt collar and a posture that looked as if a rod had been placed uncomfortably up his rectum at birth. He had an unfortunate habit of sticking his tongue behind his upper teeth while making a sucking sound. And then there was mother, Mrs. William Eberhardt Mignon D'Orsay, originally from Philadelphia. Mrs. D'Orsay carried Bottoms under her arm as she entered the room in her own regal manner while everyone stood at their seats awaiting her arrival.

A butler stood by the chair at the head of the table. Mrs. D'Orsay, in one perfect move, handed Bottoms to the butler, sat down in her chair, and unfurled her napkin onto her lap. Mavis burped.

Immediately the wait staff entered carrying silver trays laden with soup bowls. Mrs. D'Orsay looked down her long pointy nose as each of the bowls was placed on the table. As soon as the staff had left Mrs. D'Orsay raised the silver soupspoon.

"My son tells me you're a hatcheck girl. Is this true?"

Fay, a bit taken aback by the question, smiled and said, "Well, yes actually. It's one of several jobs I have."

"I see. And that's how you met James?"

Fay nodded.

"I see." Mrs. D'Orsay brought the silver spoon to her lips. "And is it a hatcheck girl you intend to be for the rest of your life?"

Fay swallowed hard, unsure of what to say. Across the table James had a giddy smile, while giving her a "thumbs up" sign.

"Ummmmmmmm...no ma'am, Mrs. D'Orsay. I'm actually now looking towards modeling."

With that Wilfred Pompton Bradley slammed his hand down onto the table and yelled out, "That's it! That's it! I knew I recognized you. She's the girl with pink tooth brush. You vixen you!"

A near hush fell over the room, except for the sound of Wilfred's sucking sound and Mavis burping and giggling. Fay could feel the blood draining from her face, her breathing becoming rapid.

"Fay, dearest, is this true? You have pink tooth brush?"

Fay stared at James who looked stunned and heartbroken. She began shaking her head "no, no, no" but it made no difference. She could tell from the stares that nobody believed her.

"I just modeled for their ad. I don't actually have pink tooth brush. It was just a modeling job."

Mrs. D'Orsay returned her soupspoon to the table, placed her napkin on the table, arose from her chair, and left the room.

"It's not real. It's just an ad."

Wilfred's sucking sound seemed to get louder. Dr. Frantz cleared his throat and said, "My dear, we all know advertising to be true. It is against all moral standards to lie to the public. I'm sure if you were chosen for this pink tooth brush ad there must be some validity to the situation. I'm very sorry for you. Deeply sorry." With that Dr. Frantz reached into his coat pocked and took out a business card, which he smoothly slid down the table to Fay. "I'd be happy to talk to you about this another time."

Soon all had left the room, except for Fay and James.

"Oh Fay, why didn't you tell me this sooner? Oh Fay, this will break mother's heart."

For a moment Fay held her breath. The wheels started turning, flashes of the past few months crossed her mind.

"This will break your mother's heart? Your MOTHER?"

"Oh Fay, she had such hope for my happiness this time."

"Okay, listen buddy, that's it." Fay pushed herself away from the table. "This dance is over. I've told you it was only a job. I don't have pink tooth brush. It's just a slogan the ad guys came up with. It's not a big deal. And so what if I did? What difference does it make to your crazy mother? Your whole crazy family?"

James stood up from the table; Wilfred had partially reentered the room and was now standing in the doorway leering at Fay.

"Fay, I think it best if I get you a car. You probably shouldn't stay here for the weekend. I'll see if one of the family physicians has a cure and send you a referral. I'm sure, in time, when your gums have healed, we can think about resuming our love."

Fay walked past James and past Wilfred who muttered, "I have pink tooth brush. It's wild, isn't it?"

• • • • •

On the drive back to the city Fay found herself thinking how lucky she was to have escaped unscathed by the D'Orsay family. Accused of being a liar, she'd made sure to leave her pristine white toothbrush and the tube of Ipana on the counter in the bathroom. Let them deny the truth all they wanted. Her brush proved she wasn't lying.

And then Fay had one final thought as the Caddy rolled to a stop in front of her apartment building, "Boy, I'm sure glad they hadn't yet seen the Kotek ad."

Click on image to see it larger. (SOURCE: May 1934 Delineator)

Throughly NOT MODERN MILLIE

Anyone out there remember the hair magazines from the 1960s? Nothing but hair. Haircuts. I remember looking at them, but never bought one. And imagine subscribing to a magazine that each month delivered page after page of haircuts. I never understood this. Wouldn't one issue a year suffice? Were there really people each month who tried a new hairdo? I know hair was a big deal to teenage girls, but a whole monthly magazine to hair. Oh heavens, maybe it's still being published.

Well, if you read Modeling with Millie you'd be aware that they had various pages devoted to reader "ideas." Yeah, uh huh, sure. Let's here it for Linda Medo of Tampa, Florida for her number 5 design "Shimmering Shadows." So how exactly did they send these ideas in? Did they rip a page out of one of the hair magazines or did they do a drawing? No indication as to what you were to send.

I give you the reader suggestions from the February 1964 issue of Modeling with Millie.

Click on image to see it larger.

The final artwork was signed by S. Lee and Stan G, also known as Stan Lee and Stan Goldberg.

Stan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber; December 28, 1922) is an American comic book writer, editor, actor, producer, publisher, television personality, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics.

In collaboration with several artists, most notably Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, he co-created Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, the Avengers, Iron Man, the Hulk, Thor, Daredevil, Doctor Strange, and many other fictional characters, introducing complex, naturalistic characters and a thoroughly shared universe into superhero comic books. In addition, he headed the first major successful challenge to the industry's censorship organization, the Comics Code Authority, and forced it to reform its policies. Lee subsequently led the expansion of Marvel Comics from a small division of a publishing house to a large multimedia corporation.

*****

Stan Goldberg (born May 5, 1932 in New York City) is an American comic book artist best known for his work as a flagship artist of Archie Comics and as a Marvel Comics' 1960s colorist, who helped design the original color schemes of Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four and other major characters.

And by the way, the name of the publisher of Modeling with Millie...Male Publishing Corporation located at 655 Madison Avenue, New York. Seriously? Male Publishing? Did I never notice this before? So while they were publishing Millie for teenage girls they were also publishing girlie magazines for horny teenage boys and men. Must have made for interesting office parties. So how many women did they actually employee and how were they treated? There's a story in here somewhere.

Ladies, THIS IS JUST FOR YOU!

Ladies, are you feeling tired, worn out, and listless? Do you poop out at parties? If you think I'm about to try and sell you Vitameatavegimin you're wrong. No lovely readers, I have something direct to you from "Modeling with Millie" in 1964. This could very well be the answer to more needs than you ever knew you had.

I'm talking about the amazing Tummy-Slim with interlocking hands. Yes, you heard me right. For only $3.98 we'll send you a piece of rubber that comes with a pair of hands on the front. Interlocking hands! Not just some worn out hands from a guy in the shipping department. And you know what these interlocking hands will do for you? Why they'll hold your back together. Bet you didn't know you were suffering from your back separating.

And how does all of this happen? Magic I tell you. Pure magic. Doubt my words? Then take a look at our lovely model. You'll look just like her in less than 10 days. The touch of rubber never felt so good. Only $3.98. Hands never felt so good. Never feel like you're falling apart again. No expensive surgery required. Feel whole again for just $3.98! Would I lie to you? Do you think just standing up straight is the cure? Of course you'll stand up straight! You'll want to get your nose as far away as possible from our cheap stinky rubber!

(SOURCE: Modeling with Millie, February 1964)

Why not buy one for a friend? That way she won't complain about your beautiful put together look or that odd rubber smell. And just think how easy this will be to remove on a hot sultry day. You'll never need to go to the gym again once you try to take off your Tummy-Slim on a hot day. You'll get all the exercise you need! For only $3.98!!! Rush your orders in now before midnight February 1964.

FOTOSHOP FUN!

Oh those people at Adobe think they're so clever, so ahead of their time. I don't think so! A company called Fotoshop, in 1963, sold a handheld movie viewer manufactured by Argus. The Argus Action Movie Viewer.

Click on image to see the action soooo much larger!

Oh sure, to kids these days this looks like a piece of junk, but back then this was high tech for the home. A kids dream! Watch cartoons anytime you want. No batteries. No bulbs to burn out. It was even suggested to send one to grandma so she could enjoy the home movies of the little ones. Or you could always send her a Yogi Bear and Boo Boo.

Just think, none of the tiresome copying and emailing your digital files. Just make a home movie with your 8mm camera, take it in for processing, ask them to dupe it, package it up, drive to the post office, and oh, don't forget to get an Argus Viewer for grandma. Easy peasy! And then if grandma could afford the long distance phone call she might call and say, "What am I supposed to with this?" Then again she might just send a nice thank you note that smelled like Cashmere Bouquet.

Only $4.95 plus 25 cents shipping. What a bargain! Think of the memories you'll share. Think of watching the Three Stooges in the backseat of the car on long trips. No more having to watch reality. You can be watching the Flintstones as you drive around Mt. Rushmore!

Mail your check today! Offer good until midnight September 1963.

TASK FORCE! Today only! ONE DOLLAR! Helen has gone Cuhhhhhhraaaaaaaaaaazy!

You heard me right folks. Helen of Toy is CUHHHHHHRAAAAAZY! She has lowered the cost of TASK FORCE to $1.00! That's one dollar for all the fine items you see below.

Click on that spewing hot lava protruding from the tank to see it larger!

16 tanks. Count 'em. 16 TANKS! You can't get much cuhhhhhhraaaazier than that. 24 PLANES! 8 LANDING BARGES! And for those of you in your later years of life...24 PILL BOXES! Yes, you heard me right. 24 PILL BOXES. Enough to share with everyone in the retirement home. Or keep them all yourself and have 24 days of your meds organized.

(What? What do you mean? Uh huh. Uh huh. Okay, sorry.)

Like I said 24 Pill Boxes, that's a bunker boys and girls. So maybe Helen should have said that upfront, buy hey, I'm only an employee. I don't write this stuff.

"Tension runs high as a big full scale battle looms with all elements participating on land, sea and air. The team best able to strategically place his forces and direct his firing will be the only battle survivor!

There is no imagination necessary here!! You get the equipment, the battlefield and the rules on how to Locate, Occupy and Destroy the enemy.

It is actually played and tremendously enjoyed by members of our real Armed Forces."

Can you get a better guarantee that that? I don't think so!

So rush your dollar in by the end of today, October 1963, to Helen of Toy. Slightly higher in Canada, England, and Australia.

Don't believe me? Well read this review right here and you'll be convinced that the 1963 Helen of Toy Company is completely on the up and up.

I'm workin' hard here folks, YA GOTTA GIVE ME SOMETHIN'

It's getting down to the wire here at the Helen of Toy Company. We need to push product, so we've lowered our price. I know in these budget strapped times $1.98 doesn't go as far as it used to, so for one time only the Helen of Toy Company is reducing the price of one of her finest products.

Feel the need to destroy? Blow things up? Scare the buh-cheeses out of your neighbors? Or maybe just live out your fantasy of world domination? Well have I got a deal for you. For only $1.50, yes...you heard me right. For one thin paper bill and 4 bits you can be the owner of a Nuclear Naval Battle Game! Such deals don't come down the pike very often.

Click on any ship, missile, or explosion to see it larger!

For only one buck and fifty cents you'll get two complete Navies, one gray, one green. I bet some of you are thinking, "Boy, what a shame I didn't take advantage of those two previous offers. Not only would I have two working Navies, but I'd have all those Roman Soldiers plus a complete battle ready band of Yankees and Lobster Backs." Well, that's why I can't express enough to you the urgency of this offer.

Act now and you'll get 2 Aircraft Carriers. 4 Destroyers. No, make that 8 Destroyers. And we even include a Frigate? Don't know what a Frigate is? Best go ask your daddy.

Remember this offer of $1.50 is for the toys only. You don't get the water. You don't get the explosions. You don't get the outlandish mishmash of typefaces. No...you get the toys. After all that's our business here at the Helen of Toy Company.

Offer only good until midnight October 1963.

Prices slightly higher in Canada because, well...they're higher. They're closer to the North Pole.

Complete Roman Army, delivered FOR ONLY $1.98!

Yes, folks, this is the one you've been waiting for. For only $1.98 you get a complete Roman Army. 132 battling Italians all neatly delivered to your door. Sorry, no translator available. But for only $1.98 you get 4, count them 4 Generals - mounted. No, this isn't X rated. We'll let you find out what they're mounted on. You get 16 Slingers. No folks, we're not talking bartenders here, we're talking stark raving mad soldiers with rocks. Italians slinging rocks at each other. You'll get half of your army decked out in gold, the other in Navy blue. Sorry, no ships included.

Click on any soldier to see them larger!

So, if you're tired of those Yankees and Lobster backs underfoot think of how great it would be to have your own Roman Army! They fight because they can! They don't need a reason. And for only $1.98 what can be your reason for not rushing a check in the mail? (Prices slightly higher in Canada. Sorry Canada, no personal checks accepted.)

So rush...rush...rush that check in today. Offer only good the month of October 1963. We may or may not make this offer again over the coming decades, but are you willing to take that chance?

ONLY $1.98. WOW! SUCH A DEAL! HURRY! HURRY! HURRY! Be the first on your block with your own private standing army.

(Not sold in Michigan)

204 REVOLUTIONARY WAR SOLDIERS!

My friends, may I call you my friends? Are you lookin' to start your own army? Are you thinkin' maybe your home needs a little, and I do mean little, more defense? Have I got a deal for you!

For only $1.98 you can order your own 204 Revolutionary War Soldiers. Yes folks, you heard me right. $1.98 buys you 204 hard soldiers!

Go ahead little lady, step right, click on the soldiers to see them bigger.

So you must be saying to yourself which side will I get? Must I choose? No folks, we choose for you. You get, for the amazing price of just $1.98, both the American Blue Coats and the English Red Coats. You'll get 12 crouching infantrymen. 12 cannon loaders. And if you rush now we'll include for the amazing price of $1.98 12 fifers. What's a fifer? Well if you have to ask maybe this isn't the army for you.

You'll be the envy of your neighborhood when they're lined up along your sidewalk each morning as you head off to work. Those shifty eyed criminals driving by will just keep driving when they see there's already a battle going on in your house.

So rush your order in now and have your own Revolutionary War Soldiers waiting for you in your mailbox. No time to waste. This offer is limited and is set to expire in 1963.

Slightly higher in Canada. Sorry folks, but Canadians will have to pay a slightly higher fee of $2.50. And we only accept international money orders. No personal checks.

Act fast before the little fellows run away!

(SOURCE: The Flintstones and Pebbles comic book September 1963)

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO MISSION

Keeping with yesterday's post of old California mission style architecture I give you a very old and lovely photochrom printed in Switzerland by the Detroit Publishing Company. Again, this is another card I really like. In fact I'd have to say it's one of my favorites.

Click on image to see it larger.

San Juan Capistrano Mission:

San Juan Capistrano is the site of a Catholic mission for which it is named, Mission San Juan Capistrano. When the Mission was founded in 1776, the region was populated by the Acjachemen band of Native Americans, called Juaneños by the Spanish. The mission was named after the Franciscan saint Giovanni da Capistrano (1386-1456).

The city is the site of California's oldest residential neighborhood, Los Rios. It is also the home of the oldest in use building in California, the Serra Chapel in the Mission. The area was the site of both the first vineyard and first winery in California.

In the 1830s Richard Henry Dana, Jr., author of the classic Two Years Before the Mast visited the area as a sailor engaged in the hide trade on board the ship Pilgrim. Describing the locale, which then included what is now the neighboring city of Dana Point, he gushed, "San Juan is the only romantic spot in California." The area was also the locale of the first Zorro novella, The Curse of Capistrano, published in 1919 (later renamed The Mark of Zorro after the success of the film of the same name).

The 85-foot (26 m) high main rotunda and 104-foot (32 m) bell tower make Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano the tallest building in town. Designed "in the spirit and likeness" of the "Great Stone Church," which is in ruins in the Mission. Pope John Paul II conferred the rank of Minor Basilica to this facility on February 14, 2000.

San Juan Capistrano is also known for its cliff swallows. The protected birds are reputed to return from migration, traditionally originating in the town of Goya, Argentina, on St. Joseph's Day (March 19) each year, a day celebrated by the city's annual Swallows' Day Parade and other festive events and old west 1890s style Melodrama at the Camino Real Playhouse starring San Juan's Villain at Large Professor Mack played by Gary McCarver of The New Home for American Melodrama. The swallows are reputed to leave on October 23, the former feast day of St. John of Capistrano. The 1940 hit song "When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano", written by Leon René, is a love song centering on these annual events. (SOURCE: Wikipedia)

The Detroit Publishing Company:

The Detroit Publishing Company was an American photographic publishing firm best known for its large assortment of photochrom color postcards.

The company was founded as the Detroit Photographic Company in the 1890s by Detroit businessman and publisher William A. Livingstone, Jr., and photographer and photo-publisher Edwin H. Husher. The company had the exclusive rights to the photochrom process for the American market. Photochrom is a technique developed in Zürich, Switzerland, which allows the color enhancement of black-and white photography with the means of chromolithography. It allowed the company to mass-produce photorealistic color motifs long before color photography became economically feasible. The company specialized on postcards of American and European subjects, including cityscapes, reproductions of artwork, natural landmarks and folklore.

The best-known photographer for the company was William Henry Jackson, who joined the company in 1897. He became the plant manager in 1903, and in 1905 the company changed its name. By the time of World War I, the company faced declining sales both due to the war economy and the competition from cheaper, more advanced printing methods. The company declared bankruptcy in 1924 and was liquidated in 1932.

Most of the existing negatives and prints are now housed by the United States Library of Congress, which received them via the Edison Institute and the Colorado Historical Society in 1949. Most images are visible in digital form at the Library of Congress Web site. A large collection of photographic and photomechanical prints are also housed by the Beinecke Library at Yale University and are available for viewing online. (SOURCE: Wikipedia)

Just a little old piece of paper that's been on quite a journey from creation until it reached my hands at an estate sale. Do click on the link above to the Beinecke Library. You'll see more lovely cards like this. In fact all of the links lead to some interesting information. Enjoy.

It's a PICTORIAL WONDERLAND!

I am so buried under work I can't see straight. I'm not complaining, only stating a fact. Deadlines will be the death of me. That said I still needed to stop in and share. Think of me standing in front of the class at show-and-tell. This is what I've brought for today. I will pass it around and expect to get it back in the same condition as when it left my hand. Those in the class with snotty noses need not touch the card.

Click on image to see it larger.

It's amazing how much work I can get done when I duct tape myself to this chair and forgo sleep and nutrients, well...except chocolate. I would really have to be dead to forgo chocolate.

You may now ohhhhh and awwww over the pretty card. I really do like this card. I love the colors, the shadows, the perspective. It's not often I really really like architectural images on post cards, but this one is a keeper.

Buy me some peanuts and CRACKER JACKS

I'm hitching my horse to the post today at Willow Manor. She inspired me to get a bunch of little Cracker Jack "toys" out of an old tin and scan them. They're all made from paper. None of the wonderful toys from the 1960s and earlier. These all date from the late 1980s to early 90s. I used to go into Costco and buy a bunch of boxes. Eat the box in about 5 minutes and think "Now why did I do that?"

Click on the images to see them larger.

The toys do not stack up to the wonderful plastic animal toys from long ago. I was at an antique store many years ago and the owner had a bracelet that was packed with hundreds and hundreds of the little gems. I didn't ask her what she wanted. I knew I couldn't afford it. But she didn't know what they were. I wish I'd spoken up and said I'll give you 20 bucks for it. I might have gotten it.

Like I said, Willow at Willow Manor has written nicely about the history of the crunchy salty sweet treat. I haven't had any in a very long time. I wasn't even sure they made it anymore.

Go GREYHOUND

I'm not going to bad mouth Greyhound. I know people do. I've never gone on a bus trip so I don't know what it's like. I can imagine.

We had a good family friend who was a Greyhound driver. His route was from Oakland to Reno, no matter the weather, over the Sierras. Nicest man you ever wanted to meet. Had eyes like Roy Rogers and a big smile. He died over 30 years ago. His name was Stan Deakins and my dad still misses him.

This vintage ad is from the August 7, 1953 Collier's.

As to this commercial...could they have been any cheaper? A toy bus on a Monopoly board? Funny thing is I'm not finding any nice vintage commercials for Greyhound. I'd have thought there must have been some from the 1960s extolling travel across country on the new highways Eisenhower built. Guess not.

Tag YOU'RE IT

Yesterday I was tagged by Carol of Funoldhag fame for the Kreative Blogger award. Took me a while to understand how these things worked. The first few times I received an award and sat dumbfounded trying to figure out what to do. I know, the instructions are simple, but I don't follow a lot of blogs and suddenly thought "Who do I recommend?" Well, let's see:

Old Paper Art Dave is an artist who does wonderful work on envelopes for first day issues of stamps. He also uses old paper as the inspiration and actual media for much of his work. You'll never be disappointed. (http://oldpaperart.blogspot.com/)

Retrospace Gilligan at Retrospace loves all things from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. He relives his passions from his childhood. I get a kick out of it seeing his take on things because while he was just a kid I was already in college so our perspectives are different. It's always funny. (http://my-retrospace.blogspot.com/)

Sexy People This site certainly doesn't need me sending people their direction. They have thousands of followers. Old photos with a twist. Renzo posts them and then allows the viewing public to fill in the blanks. I try to check in each day and when I find something that tickles my fancy I just boldly let it out. It's always fun. (http://www.sexypeople-blog.com/

Forgotten Old Photos I've only recently been aware of this site, but if you like old photos you'll enjoy dropping in. Her goal is to post old photos and hopefully someday connect them with people who knew the actual people in the shots. Quite a challenge, but not impossible as her site proves. (http://forgottenoldphotos.blogspot.com/)

Collection a Day This is a blog that will last only 365 days. The person is a collector of all sorts of things and each day she posts one of the collections. No commentary, just images. (http://collectionaday2010.blogspot.com/)

Charlie Allen's Blog Charlie is an illustrator with a long history in the business and he shares his work and memories at his blog. Though the blog is no longer active it's well worth reading if you enjoy illustration. (http://charlieallensblog.blogspot.com/)

Postcardy: The Postcard Explorer A fun little spot to stop in and see what treasures are being featured. And it's not always post cards. It's always a surprise.

Suzy Engelman Block An illustrator of children's books who is a friend of my best friend. I don't know Suzy, but I love her work. She hasn't posted any real blog postings, but take a look at her art for a trip back to childhood. (http://suzyengelmanblock.blogspot.com/)

Okay, I went one over my required 7 that I must post. Most of these sites will never know they've been tagged. I've posted them because I thought they were worth sharing.

7 things interesting about me that the online world doesn't know. Hmmmm...that's going to be tough because if there's one thing, no make that seven things...I'm not interesting.

1. I'm shorter than I was in high school. You didn't know that, did you?
2. I have a pet feral peacock who comes here everyday for his sunflower treats.
3. I never have to get my car smog checked. Yee haw!
4. I have a permanently broken jaw thanks to arthritis.
5. I'm addicted to old paper, especially paper dolls and photos. Wait, you already knew that.
6. I'm going to cheat on my list by including this as one of the seven.
7. I'm a good friend...unless you cross me or as in the case of one person, if you steal a national award from me by submitting my work with your name on it.

All the things that aren't fit to print shall remain hidden.

Thank you Carol. Do visit Carol's sites for fun photos, what-nots, and quilts:

Fun Old Hag http://funoldhag-carol.blogspot.com

Pieces of the Past http://piecesofthepast-funoldhag.blogspot.com/

For those who I've tagged, if you find this, the intent is that you pass along the "award" to 7 more blogs and list 7 interesting things we might not know about you. Many of the blogs I've posted will not be doing this and some don't even accept comments. I'm just using this to share what I've found.

Take a GREYHOUND and your DUNCAN HINES GUIDE

I'm not sure I've ever ridden on a Greyhound bus. The only time I've ever ridden commercial busses have been short trips from the suburbs to the city. No lengthy bus trips.

Click on image to see it larger.

I like this post card because everything looks so doggone clean. It's not a photo of the bus depot, it's a drawing/painting. I'm always fascinated by these sort of cards. They're architectural drawings because a photo just wouldn't do. No trash. No power lines. No people. It's all very strangely sterile. The artists are never given credit though they labored away turning out drawings that could be thought to be a photo. The skies are always lovely with puffy clouds. The streets are always clean. It's how the people who owned the Overland Greyhoud Bus Depot imagined themselves in a perfect world.

The other thing about these sort of cards is how important perspective is. If the artist gets it even slightly wrong the whole thing looks a bit off. I've got a lot of hotel cards that are architectural drawings. I prefer them to the tinted photo cards. They're always just slightly strange. Otherworldly. Unfortunately there is one big problem with this drawing. Something that would surely bring about some serious lawsuits if the depot actually had this item missing. I'll let you figure it out. You'll most likely have to enlarge it to notice what's missing.

The company that printed this card was Barkalow Brothers Publisher. Not finding much online about them. Finding lots of cards, but not much in the history department other the small blurb below found at Metro Post Card.com:

Barkalow Brothers Co. 1865-

Omaha, NE

Publishers and general news agent founded by Sidney and Derrick Barkalow. They became the exclusive distributors of printed materials, including postcards, for the Union Pacific Railroad. The Barkalow Brothers also published non railroad oriented view-cards that were often printed by Tom Jones. They eventually became suppliers of hotel gift shops and moved their business to Fort Myers, Florida.

The other name mentioned on the back of the card is Duncan Hines. Anyone out there remember the Duncan Hines Guides? There were two books my mother always took along whenever we travelled. The book from AAA to find decent motels and the Duncan Hines Guide to find decent restaurants. I used to sit in the back seat of the car and read both books. I found them fascinating. These days Duncan Hines is usually known for box cake mixes. Surely there must be someone out there who remembers the restaurant guide.

Duncan Hines (March 26, 1880 – March 15, 1959) was a U.S. pioneer of restaurant ratings for travelers. He is best known today for the brand of food products that bears his name.

Born in Bowling Green, Kentucky, Hines was a traveling salesman for a Chicago printer. By age 55 in 1935, Hines had eaten a lot of good and bad meals on the road, as part of his job, all across the country. At this time in the United States, there was no interstate highway system and only a few chain restaurants, except for in large, populated areas. Therefore, travelers depended on getting a good meal at a local restaurant.

Hines and his wife, Florence, began assembling a list for friends of several hundred good restaurants around the country. The list became so popular, that he began selling a paperback book entitled Adventures in Good Eating (1935), which highlighted restaurants and their featured dishes that Hines had personally enjoyed in cities and towns across America.

Hines was so successful, he added another book, recommending lodging for the night.

In 1952 Duncan Hines introduced Duncan Hines bread to the world through the Durkee's Bakery Company of Homer, New York. Principals Michael C. Antil Sr. and Albert Durkee, Lena Durkee, were the bakery proprietors. This was Duncan Hines' first foray into baked goods.

In 1953, Hines sold the right to use his name and the title of his book to Roy H. Park to form Hines-Park Foods, which licensed the name to a number of food-related businesses. The cake mix license was sold to Nebraska Consolidated Mills in Omaha, Nebraska, which developed and sold the first "Duncan Hines" cake mixes.

In 1957, Nebraska Consolidated Mills sold the cake mix business to the U.S. consumer products company, Procter & Gamble. The company expanded the business to the national market, and added a series of related products.

Also in 1957, Hines appeared as a guest challenger on the TV panel show To Tell The Truth.

Duncan Hines died of lung cancer on March 15, 1959. (SOURCE: Wikipedia)

I miss the days of adventure on the road. Today too much of it all looks the same, even off the interstates. People want the same food no matter where they are. Really a shame. Another lesson of how we've lost our souls to corporations. Next time you're traveling search out a privately owned restaurant, not a franchise. Dare to be bold and forget the plastic food that floats amongst the shiny lights alongside the freeway. Even if it proves to be a bad meal you'll have a story to tell. Who tells stories about the fast food joint at exit # 193?

It's Joan, no it's ROSEMARY, no it's JOAN, no it's...

Rosemary Craig. Who the heck was Rosemary Craig? And is this not one of the strangest celebrity ads you've ever seen? And with Joan "no wire" Crawford no less.

Click on image to see it larger.

Okay this one is NOT from Photoplay. This is from the August 2o, 1949 Collier's. Joan plugging plugs. Now I've seen everything. And just as she was hawking Flamingo Road with the pearls she's doing the same with the spark plugs.

Now, how did they ever find Rosemary Craig the look-a-like? Actually when you look at Rosemary in the magazine it's pretty easy to tell that there was some retouching done to her photo. Well, there was retouching done to both shots, but especially Rosemary. But it worked. I did a double take when I saw this ad. And that's the reason I bought the magazine. I knew this had to be shared. Why they chose spark plugs for Joan I'll never know. Maybe some dim-witted soul in the promotion department misunderstood what the movie Flamingo Road was about. Road, spark plugs, pretty much the same thing.

To see more products Joan Crawford hawked click here.

And so ends the movie star ads...for now. Now let's see...ummmm...Rosemary Craig. Who was Rosemary Craig?