dj misc

High school dance card with tiny pencil, 1938

2010-07-21T12:31:00.000-07:00

A homemade dance card with attached pencil found in an old trunk. It looks like she sat out half the dances - at least I assume it's a she. Did men carry dance cards? I took for granted they just remembered with whom they were dancing.

Casper velvet painting

2010-07-15T12:01:00.000-07:00

This was one of a series of four velvet paintings of cartoon characters, although only Casper and his...guitar? ukulele? was worthy of serious consideration. However, six dollars was a bit much even for so much awesomeness.

Till next time, Ali A. Age 12

2010-02-19T15:12:00.000-08:00

Three halcyon days in the life of a twelve year old. Found in a discarded notebook.

Reasons why I will get rejected

2010-02-18T19:29:00.000-08:00

The Ship-Wreck'd Sailors

2010-02-12T14:00:00.000-08:00

This is a pencil composition of seafarers in a sad plight. I found this in an old trunk where it had been undisturbed for over 50 years. I was thinking about who the artist might have been, considering the trunk and its contents were acquired from a different homestead by my grandfather. At first glance, I didn't notice a signature on the picture and assumed that the drawing was a copy of an extant painting. But today, while I was taking pictures of it, I found a very small signature to the right of the drowning figure in the foreground, a "Wm Bance." This may not be of any significance, but the drawing could very well be original. Jumping out of the drawing the way it did, finding the signature was a dramatic little moment like in a Josephine Tey detective novel, when the inspector recognizes the man in the portrait and solves the mystery. Except I haven't really solved anything, and the artist remains in the shadows.

Other trifles in the trunk: a red cross button from 1921, a sheaf of letters from 1915 tied with a shoe-lace, a very small key, enamel costume jewelry, old primers, woolen mittens, a Farmer's Almanac, buttons, and a homemade rose-shaped pin made of sealing wax.

Knows Nothing Tells All

2009-11-07T19:21:00.000-08:00

This mock-gazette was found in a box of old papers. Written and illustrated by my grandmother and great-aunt in 1936 during a February storm (so they explain within) when the schools were closed for a week, the mimeographed newspaper "reports" on fictitious stories involving immediate family and friends. K.N.T.A, as its authors call it, includes an advice column, advertisements, market report, household hints, book review, a poetry corner, and intelligence tests, all done tongue-in-cheek and rather wittily. It's twelve pages in all. Here are some excerpts.

"LOST: One brother, who used to write a letter once a year, but has now joined the ranks of the unknown. Anyone knowing the whereabouts and whatabouts of said person - please send a photograph of him to me so I'll be able to identify him when I see him - Julien Buckneberg"

"Wanted: A yes man. Marie Buckneberg" [my grandmother]

"Wanted to buy: A parrot (English speaking). Valborg Buckneberg" [my great-aunt]

"The 1936 Emancipation Proclamation to Housewives. NEW PIE PLANT DISCOVERY - Planting instructions free with each order of seed. Lawrence and Thelma Burbank Jacobson. [my great-uncle and aunt]"

"BE PREPARED: What would you do if Tommy fell down the basement steps? Read our new book on Bringing up Children. Agnes and Swede Swenson"

"Grandma's Prize Winning Waffles which seem to say 'I feel like a feather in the breeze.' Light-weight Champions. Mail Orders For Your Convenience."

"Your portraits painted while you wait - or by mail, if you prefer. Just write and let me know how you wish to look - pretty or Natural. Studio - Room 1 upstairs. Ada Buckneberg - artist"

"Kon's Kremey Koconut Kracaroons. Strictly Fresh! More than a Kooky, it's a Konfection. Telephone RU 264281 (get this?) Konrad Isakson - Prop."

"Notice: In case of a misunderstanding allow me to state that the 2 (two) first Leap Year ceremonies will be performed free of charge for nothing. Rev. A. Buckneberg [my great-grandfather]"

"DoReMi Ericksonskavitchski announces a new course which includes lessons in Voice, Piano, Tuba. Private lessons by mail. Hansell Conservatory Studio 7-W, Hansell, Iowa."

"The Book of the week-month-year. Get your copy while they last. The whole town's talking about the latest success of A. Tolstoi Buckneberg: And Why Not?" [a book review of "And Why Not?" the fictitious novel, was included by my ever-inventive great-aunt]

"Mademoiselle Carolina Modista announces the showing of some of her new Parisian frocks and gowns some of which are illustrated elsewhere in this paper."

"NEW DISCOVERY. Heartless Wretches or Broken-Hearted Mortals - No longer need you suffer. New pink hearts installed painlessly. Local anaesthetic. (Ed. note. She talks you to sleep). Offices in Buckneberg parlor, kitchen, dining room, basement and upstairs. Dr. Leenie Buck."

"Let Julien plan your next house. J.F.B. Architect. Farmer school, Fargone, N.D. (pictured, Bungle-owe No. 361)"

Me and my airship, or The Report of 1911

2009-08-30T00:30:00.000-07:00

Found these delightful ink depictions of Edwardian Gibson girls in a box of school papers from 100 years ago. The artist was a Canadian girl of sixteen.

"Report of the Weather, different birth-days and what I spend through the year of 1911

Near Monarch, Alta., Canada."

"Me and my airship. What do you think of it?"

"They who wash on Monday,

Have all the week to dry,

They who wash on Tuesday,

Are not so much awry."

Life

2009-08-13T22:58:00.000-07:00

At the gym for my usual workout, I was about to toss my gear in an empty locker -- almost empty, except for this post-it folded up at the bottom.

I shot the gun twice (not in my house)

2009-07-30T16:38:00.000-07:00

Lately, I haven't been on the lookout for finds, but I just had to post these. These two emails were found discarded in a hotel business center. Quite likely they show a progression of events, or maybe just a volatile personality. Perhaps this guy should have kept his anger (inside).

Jail is free! whoohooo!

2009-07-30T16:34:00.000-07:00

postcard from Paris written 13 years ago

2008-12-23T22:59:00.000-08:00

Found in a used book store

When you have sex in a pool

2008-12-23T22:57:00.000-08:00

On high school steps

go home or go to jail

2008-12-23T22:44:00.000-08:00

On a residential street

kick me lick me stab me

2008-11-09T12:11:00.000-08:00

Found in a public housing parking lot

Darling slippers

2008-11-09T12:08:00.000-08:00

In a discarded photo album

Everything I stole from Jimmy

2008-11-09T12:03:00.000-08:00

Found in the alley behind my old apartment

Almost got a tan

2008-11-01T17:27:00.001-07:00

This postcard was sent from Honolulu in 1989 during Spring Break. It was found last weekend at a used book sale by Dan.

Fallin for u/Squishy

2008-11-01T00:07:00.000-07:00

I found these lyrics on the street on Halloween.

make more of your years

2008-10-11T21:43:00.000-07:00

Written on a table outside a high school

well-hung succubus

2008-08-02T23:06:00.000-07:00

wtf? ha, this makes me laugh. Can't remember where I found it.

fish, don't use to make juice, stupid!

2008-08-02T21:33:00.000-07:00

just like jon

2008-08-02T21:31:00.000-07:00

high school grounds

relationship with God

2008-08-01T19:30:00.000-07:00

Housing project lawn

head

2008-08-01T19:28:00.000-07:00

thrift store sketchpad

falling in love with a shady contractor

2008-08-01T19:17:00.000-07:00

pilfered from a garbage can