Thursday, June 30, 2011

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Ohio, USA

I posted about Paul Newman in The Hustler earlier in the week - born in Cleveland. Today, I give you a few other interesting things from the great state of Ohio.

Bob Feller: Hall of Fame pitcher for the Cleveland Indians, mid 1930s to mid 1950s. Missed four years of baseball 1941-1945 to serve in World War II.




Jim Jarmusch: Filmmaker. One of the most regarded and critically acclaimed independent filmmakers ever - Stranger Than Paradise, Mystery Train, Dead Man, Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, Coffee and Cigarettes, Broken Flowers, among others. Here's the trailer for Mystery Train:




Screamin' Jay Hawkins: Musician, most famous for his hit "I Put A Spell On You", seen below in a somewhat creepy (and yet pretty awesome) video. You can also see a glimpse of Hawkins in a red suit in the Mystery Train trailer:




Soledad Brothers
: Musicians/Band. Independent rock and roll band from Toledo. Now defunct, they once toured the world with big names like The White Stripes (good friends with the Whites), and were even adopted by Detroit as one of their own.




The Big Red Machine: The Cincinnati Reds 1970-1976. Johnny Bench, Pete Rose, Dave Concepcion, Joe Morgan, Tony Perez, George Foster, Cesar Geromino, and Ken Griffey Sr.




Langston Hughes: Writer. One of the trailblazing African-American writers that defined the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s. "Hold fast to your dreams, for without them life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly."

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Paul Newman - Cleveland, OH



It’s an old story. A young man with unlimited potential – with unmatched talent – confident, but cocky – trying to have it all at once – getting it all and losing it all – finally getting it all back at a terrible cost. Loss and redemption. It is the schooling you get from Life itself. It’s a comeuppance, and it’s even for the blessed.

Paul Newman, portraying pool shark Fast Eddie Felson in the 1961 film The Hustler, plays that character to perfection. The desperate confidence fills the screen – the need to be the best – to live up to his potential – drives him to sell his soul to the devil – personified here in Bert Gordon, portrayed magnificently by George C. Scott.

Newman’s performance is dynamic in every moment – his subtleties are poignant and his flare is cool. He displays a vulnerability that evokes empathy for the anti-hero. It’s a classic performance, setting the bar high in the early 1960s – just as American film was beginning to change dramatically. Amidst amazing performances by Jackie Gleason (Minnesota Fats) and Piper Laurie (Sarah Packard), Paul Newman as Fast Eddie Felson is one of the best moments in cinematic history.

Crisp black and white. Skinny ties, with the suit jackets still a little boxy. Jazz. Pool. Gambling, drinking, and sex. Violence, sorrow, and glory.

25 year later, Newman would resurrect Eddie Felson in The Color of Money, directed by Martin Scorsese. He won an Academy Award for best actor for that role – his first after eight nominations.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Home Workspace - Chicago, IL



It simply came to be. I had a desk - it worked just fine - but then I saw this beautifully worn wooden kitchen cabinet. The yellow Formica top happened to match our dining table, which is why we got it in the first place. It wasn't until we got it home that Julie suggested I use it as my desk. And just like that, the search was on for a stool. The next week, I landed an industrial metal stool at a garage sale for just about nothing. Suddenly, I had a new workspace.

Other notables in the picture:

Large Charlie Parker painting...
Miller High Life aluminum cooler...
Black & Decker metal saw box (for files)...
Brown canvas duffel and black doctor's bag...
Groucho Marx Esco statue...
Wool houndstooth Dobbs hat (on Groucho)...
Hamilton Industries (Chicago) collapsible desk lamp (made in Japan)...
Small Roseville crock (for writing utensils)...
Large Moleskine notepad...

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Individuals 3



Grover Cleveland Alexander - 1917


A picture of "Old Pete" taken as he arrives in Chicago, after being traded from the Philadelphia Phillies to the Cubs. He is third on the list for all-time wins as a pitcher of 20 seasons - from 1911 to 1930. World War I veteran - made sergeant. He suffered from shell shock when he came back, but still managed a few great years. Alexander was also an epileptic and alcoholic. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1938. Looking dapper and somewhat annoyed here in 1917, carrying what looks to be a (cool) leather duffel bag.




Girls Waiting For Bus - July 1940


Taken in 1940 in Chicago's 1st Ward, which is where I've lived for most of the last 14 years. Unfortunately, I can't identify the building in the background (if it still exists). Bus (trolley) stops look a bit different today. I bet I see a few similar vintage hats being used for shade this summer though.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Welcoming Summer Part II



More junk...

Pyrex Flameware Set - new in original box - 1940s (originally sold for $2.45)
Libbey Window Pane Tumbler Glasses and Carafe
Texas Ware Confetti Bowls
Remembrance Turquoise Picnic set - Cooler, Ice Bucket, and Salt & Pepper and Sugar Shakers
Industrial Metal Tool Boxes and Lunch Box
J.C. Higgins #2433 Med. Red Football Helmet
Kromex Brushed Aluminum Salt & Pepper Shakers - 1950s
Norton Abrasives India Oilstone
Fire King Floral Colonial Mixing Bowls
Blue Chicago Specialty Manufacturing Co. Sectioned Metal Tool Box
Fire King Jadeite Sugar Bowl with Lid
Glasbake Green Daisy 2-qt. Roaster Dishes and 1-qt. Oval Casserole Dish












Monday, June 6, 2011

Junk and Howe Finds - Welcoming Summer



The heat has hit here in Chicago - record highs. The sales are fruitful, and the finds are producing smiles. We are keeping some of the trove, but there is some great stuff coming to the Junk and Howe store soon. Take a gander at the vintage treasures - preview the classic junk. More pictures coming soon as well...

Griffith Laboratories 3.5" Milk Glass Spice Jar Set of 10 - Red Tops, Paper Labels, Red Rack
Speidel Gold Art Deco Tie Clip and Cuff Links Set
Griffith Laboratories 4" Milk Glass Spice Jar Set of 12 - Turquoise Tops, Paper Labels, White Rack
Fire King Painted Fruit Nesting Mixing Bowl Set of 3
Universal Food & Meat Chopper No. 2 - New in original box
Maynard Stainless Steel Egg Beater/Hand Mixer with Turquoise Handle
Vintage General Electric School Clock with Continuous Second Hand
Wear Best Velva-Hide Black Leather Doctor's Bag
Pyrex Primary Color Nesting Mixing Bowl Set of 4 - 1940s set
1923 Stanley Super Vac Thermos with Cork Top
Kenro Holiday Melamine Large Bowl, Divided Bowl, Dessert Plates, and Snack Plates/Trays
Bolero Therm-o-Ware Atomic Insulated Bowls
Reinecke Atomic Insulated Thermo-Bowl - Black and Avocado
Mallo-Ware Melamine Bowls with Handles - Large and Cereal
Pyrex Constellation 1-Quart Divided Dish
Metal Serving Tray
Northwest Orient Carry-on Travel Bag
TWA Carry-on Travel Tote
The Best of Sam & Dave LP (Atlantic Records)
Aretha Franklin - Aretha: Lady Soul LP (Atlantic Records)