W.I.N.O.S.

Today at the library free book cart.

Thrift Shop Day

Pictures from the holiday half-price sale, at the Parent-Teacher Organization's shop. While the shop is there to raise funds for student activities, it is itself a highly educational experience.

For instance, before today's visit I would not have known either this object (filter paper for chemical tests), or the 19th century scientist endorsing the brand.

Finding Berzelius' actual endorsement would no doubt take real research, but here are prices from a 1903 lab supply catalog, published in St. Louis.

Program notes from a Philadelphia Orchestra concert.

This was in a locked case, and the place was way too busy to bother having it opened. Going by art style, the program is probably from the 1940s to early '50s.

According to this, the game originated in WWII (but copyright was 1940, per this.)

For this to have caught on, it would seem to have needed public confidence that the Depression was ending. Perhaps a few years of New Deal had inspired enough confidence by then. The early '40s picture does seem complicated by what was on the near horizon: wartime status for the economy, and rationing for the public. Maybe the game's concept was attractive as a matter of aspiration.

Jump to postwar; roughly, early 1960s?

This would work as a soundtrack for the speedway action.

Complete with genuine simulated stereo.

Another country heard from...

Spotted by J, who, a few years ago, found this classic of the genre.

J's other find today—and the pièce de ... something or other—a newspaper-collaged candle holder.

 

At first glance—and in keeping with the motif—this wacked-out face had looked like some medieval equivalent of a hippie. A wild-eyed alchemist? Some ancient Dr. Caligari?

On further consideration... Shylock?

And...

Multi-tasking Lenin, who orates while sheltering a young girl. I assume the cringing figures on the right must be serfs (who haven't yet heard the good news?) Although Marx must be meant to listen thoughtfully, it really has to be said that he looks pained and disbelieving.

Karl Was Here?

The Year in Korean Nostalgia: December

As we prepare to say good-bye to 2017, the bubbles of memory waft in. As in olden days, Korean children gather 'round the fire to roast sweet potatoes.

For Sporting People

Product of Columbia.

The pause that refreshes.

The Year in Korean Nostalgia: November

The Complete Book of Progressive Knitting

Published 1940.

Not merely signed by the author.

Author portrait cut from a newspaper and glued to end paper

Bonus items inside the pages are newer than 1940. From a later owner?

Detail is done in fuzzy flocked stuff.

Sadly, the back of the card is missing. No clue, then, as to when this was manufactured. The cartoon style and poodle motif may most likely be from the '50s or early '60s.

And without inside matter, any further punchline is lost to the ages.