During the 70’s and 80’s Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel interviewed scores of popular artists, crafts people, musicians, fashion designers, directors, photographers, etc.  Jim Dine, Robert Motherwell, Frank Gehry, Lee Krasner, Bill Blass just to name a few.  Terrific glimpse into the past.  All of the interviews can be found on YouTube.

Below are a few from the Made in America series.

Sam Maloof – Woodworker

Albert Paley – Metalsmith

Sandy Fox – Quilter

The Band, Chief from New York, has been in heavy rotation at the studio since we saw them at the Bowery Hotel for the after party of the new Restaurant/General Store, The Smile a few months ago. More on the The Smile later. Chief has an EP called, The Castle is Gone, out right now and their debut album will be available this summer. Give them a listen.

Vintage Seattle is yet another terrific blog featuring rare photos and profiles.  Created by Jess Cliffe, his knack for unearthing interesting Seattle history is something every city needs.  Judging by the official welcome site of the Seattle Government they could use Jess’s graphic design skills.

I just found this bit of aviation history on Jess’s site.  This crazy fella below is Horace Pentecost of Seattle, WA.  He developed the “Hoppicopter” for paratroopers in WWII to use instead of parachutes.  A couple of issues, it was very costly if the soldier were to fall when landing in rough terrain.  But, more importantly, if the soldier did fall the flying debris could have made mince meat out of him.  Imagine the stones you would have to have flying about with this harnessed to your back!  One of the Hoppicopters is hanging at the Pima Air Museum.

At first glimpse his small tie looked to be made from the same material as his shirt.  I don’t even think Thom Browne dared to go that small.

They added landing gear but, it too, did not get that juicy government contract.

Neat write up in the Modern Mechanix Illustrated from 1951 mentioning Horace. “Helicopters for Everyone.”  I seriously doubt the big 3 auto makers were really worried about this but I still bet a few lobbyists got an ear full.

More info on the Hoppicopter HERE and HERE.

The Past……………

The Future…………

Yves Rossy – Jet Man

Here are few nice selections from the Antique Athlete.

Turn of the century basketball shoes

1920’s Spalding wool basketball uniform

Spalding “Boston Style” short brim baseball cap & advertisement from 1896

1905-1910 Anchor Brand “Lively league” baseball and original box

1930’s Wilson leather football helmet with very rare rubber facemask

1890’s football pants with tags

1920’s Yale leather boxing gloves

1910’s University of Minnesota felt pillow cover.  My alama mater. Go Gophers!

1930’s hockey jersey

1930’s J.C. Higgins tennis ball can

The NY Times Style section today (3/22) had a story on a prep school and within the article was a picture of that schools class ring and how their students and alumnae wear them.  “Students wear their rings with the insignia facing out, so they can capture every experience lived at school; alumnae wear them with the initials facing in, as if to trap those experiences.”  Is this a known tradition?  I like traditions but I was never a school class ring sort of guy.  The Josten’s class ring brochure that circulated my high school in MN every year was my first personal introduction to ‘bling’ and even at 16 found them to be terribly over sized and tacky.  When college came around I tried to find the beauty and pride aspects associated with wearing my alma maters class ring but they too did not get my money.  However, a simple school signet ring with just initials, like the one shown in the NY Times piece would have been more my speed.

I suppose another reason why I didn’t delve deeper into the Jostens offerings was that I already had a ring.  I have had a “B” (Bray) initial signet ring on my pinky finger since the mid 80’s.  Though the “B” has virtually worn away it is a reminder of my father, who gave it to me.  Sort of a right of passage between father and son.  He has been wearing a “B” signet ring for as long as I can remember.  I am not certain if my grandfather “Pops” had one but I wouldn’t be surprised.  For those of you who do have an authentic family crest I am envious.  Unfortunately, because our Bray family lineage goes back centuries in this country we cannot be 100% certain of which Bray family crest is accurate.

20+ years of wear

I have considered having the “B” re-engraved for some time.  I also found out about two signet/family crest ring companies that both look to be doing some exceptional work.  Dexter of Kent England since 1969 is a premier bespoke seal ring engraver.  If you have the hankering to seal your envelopes in wax, Dexter has what you’re looking for.  Their site is easy to navigate and besides the seal rings, they can also hand-make all sorts of signet rings from monograms to family arms to heraldic designs.

G.M. Bentley Designs out of Charlottesville, NC was started by RISD alum, George Bentley in 1986.  He is one of very few fine hand engravers in the US.  If you have a family crest or coat-of-arms that you would like made into a signet ring to pass down, I doubt you could go wrong here.  Stunning quality.

Below is a 16th century signet ring that was found by the late archeologist David Phelps in Buxton, NC in 1998.  More here.

Photo District News recently posted 14 rare color photos from the FSA (Farm Securities Administration.)  The Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division which owns these FSA photos has a huge collection that you can view here. Lot’s of terrific old rural scenes, Great Depression shots, laborers and WWII images.  You can search for certain key words or by photographer.  The color ones are great to see as most of the photos of that era were obviously shot in B &W.

A couple books on the subject that might interest you can be found here and here.

Craftsman 1470 pc. Professional Tool Set.  Beautifully arranged and made in the USA since 1927. No one will ever use all of these tools but I would love a work shop that was large enough to properly house them all.  Tool porn for $7, 999.00

Available at Sears

I just found out about this long standing motorcycle rally called the “Gypsy Tour.” Our friend Dylan came by the studio with his his friend Thomas the other day.  They are both set designers, artists and serious antique/vintage collectors.  I plan on taking photos of Dylan’s collections soon.  He has a treasure trove of vintage moto jackets, antique Americana, military items, art, etc.   Anyways, Thomas had on the below belt with Gypsy Tour belt buckle from 1938 and I was so taken by it that I grabbed a few shots.  The deco design and quality is really amazing.  The leather belt easily shows half a century of wear and is worn into perfection.

In 1916 (The Gypsies) during parades and rides of the pre-World War 1 period mounted the below flag on their handlebars of early Harleys and Indians. The term “Gypsy Tour” arose from these groups of early riders. 1916 was the very first year of the Laconia rally, but it was an unofficial gathering of about 150 riders.

In 1917 the Federation of American Motorcyclists (FAM) sanctioned its first official “Gypsy Tour” at Laconia. A Gypsy Tour was an overnight event with organized road rides and other activities of interest to motorcycle enthusiasts. Gypsy Tours were held in various parts of the country, and typically occurred on the same weekend every year.  The photo below shows a group of riders from the Boston area and was taken before the 1917 rally. This rally became known as the “New England Gypsy Tour.”

A couple of early merit awards given out to the riders who completed endurance rides, etc.

Signet ring from 1932

Photo from the start of the 1918 rally in NH.

On August 1, 1924, the AMA (American Motorcycle Association) was officially established. The following year, in 1925, the AMA took over from the M&ATA the sponsorship of the Gypsy Tours, and greatly expanded them, from perhaps a few events to over 200 separate ones. With the exception of the World War II period, the Gypsy Tours were yearly events that continued until the early 1960’s. At that time, even though many of the gatherings that they were based on continued, the term “Gypsy Tour” fell out of favor, and was replaced by the term “Tour and Rally”, as in “New England Tour & Rally”.

In 1991, the term Gypsy Tour was officially revived by the AMA. However, by that time the individual events had all gone their own way in naming themselves. In 1953, or perhaps even earlier, Laconia first called its event ” Motorcycle Week”, and that term has stuck to the current day.

1939 photo.

Mid 1950’s photo of some “Greasers” before the rally.

Ebay usually has a good number of Gypsy Tour items…..This 1950 tour buckle just sold for $35.

This 1942 version went for $38. Pot-metal was used on this one because of WWII.  Note the “V” for victory.

*Gypsy Tour info/photos from Weirs Beach

I was reading Tony’s post today and for some reason thought about Jennifer Aniston in the movie, Office Space. Those were the days. I doubt many people are flipping off their bosses now.

Really, really sad times for millions of Americans. 2.6 million jobs lost in 2008. Worst since ‘45. Unemployment close to 8%.

**30+ sites to visit if you’re are laid off**

**91 year old Clara talks about the Great Depression**

**Recession Wire**

**Wise Bread**

**405 Club**

**Cards for those who lost their jobs**

Compiled from the head lines:

Goodyear: to cut 5,000 jobs

AstraZeneca: 15,000 Layoffs Through 2013

Bon-Ton to cut 1,150 jobs

Kodak announces big layoffs (3500-4500 jobs)

Boeing to Chop 10,000 Jobs

Starbucks to cut 6,700 jobs, close 300 stores

AOL axing 700 jobs in cost-cutting move

Klein says without state help, (New York) DOE could lay off 15,000 educators

Labor Department: Freightliner production shifts from Gaston to Mexico (850 US jobs lost)

Chairman: PPG could cut 4,500 jobs

Rendell projects 1,000 to 2,000 state job cuts

Avery Dennison to Cut 10% of Jobs (3,600) After Sales Decline

Target says it will cut jobs in weak economy

Best Buy to lay off workers

Corning slashes 3,500 jobs

Philips Halts Buyback, Slashes 6,000 jobs

Texas Instruments to shed 3,400 jobs

IBM to cut more than 2,800 jobs

John Deere trims 700 workers

ING Group to Cut 7,000 Jobs

Home Depot to cut 7,000 jobs, exit Expo business

Pfizer to buy Wyeth for $68 billion, cut (8000) jobs

Sprint to eliminate 8,000 jobs

Caterpillar Moves to cut 20,000 Jobs

About.com Study – 2009 retail industry store closings, including chains going out of business:

Circuit City: 567

KB Toys: 461

Goody’s: 287

Van Heusen: 175

Ann Taylor: 117 (by 2010)

Office Depot: 112

Club Libby Lu (Saks): 98

American Greetings: 60

Supervalu: 50

New York and Co.: 50 (over the next five years)

Ruby Tuesday: 40

Famous Footwear: 35

Yankee Candle: 28

Cost Plus: 26

Blue Tulip Gift Shops: 24

Sears: 22

Oneida Ltd.: 20

Gap Inc.: 15

Kira Plastinina: 12

Macy’s: 11

Filene’s: 11

Dillard’s: 8

Dominos: 8

Sweetbay Supermarkets: 7

Applebees: 4

Harry W. Schwartz Bookshops: 4

Good’s Furniture and Flooring: 3

Lane Bryant: 3

P and C Food Markets: 3

Pier One: 3

Virgin Records: 1

2009 retail industry job cuts:

Circuit City: 30,000

KB Toys: 10,915

Goody’s: 9,000

Office Depot: 2,200

Williams-Sonoma: 1,400

Saks Inc.: 1,100

Walgreens: 1,000

Macy’s: 960

Best Buy: 500

Albertson’s: 381

Neiman Marcus: 375

Ethan Allen: 350

Yankee Candle: 332

New York and Co.: 310

Charming Shoppes: 225

Stein Mart: 209

CDW: 190

P and C Food Markets: 164

Cost Plus: 145

Barnes and Noble: 100

Google: 100

Harry W. Schwartz Bookshops: 65

Brown Shoe Co.: 59

Gottschalks: “dozens”

Many great old woolen mills have fallen by the way side all over the world. More so in the last 10-20 years with more and more cheap blankets and woolen products coming from overseas. The one detailed below, Baron Woolen Mills of Brigham City, Utah started in 1869 and closed in 1998. Dormant for over 10 years its last chapter may not be over just yet……..

From 2002:

“For 129 years it was the site of weaving and spinning wool into the warmth of blankets.

It was a weaver of dreams for Bob Sadler, who purchased the property 10 years ago with a goal to combine his business ambition with preserving history.

Now, the Baron Woolen Mills sits idle, with its windows shattered and the equipment silent, and all that is woven from this place is frustration for all who want to save it.

Sadler is forced to consider demolition of the mill, established in 1869 by Lorenzo Snow, then president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Snow ventured north to form the Brigham City Mercantile and Manufacturing Association, which was commonly known as the Brigham City Co-Op.

By 1877, the mill had 200 spindles and seven looms and was producing $42,000 worth of wool in 44 weeks.

It would later burn down, be rebuilt, burn again and rise once more to become the employer of the largest direct sales force in the United States in the early 1930s, managing the efforts of some 700 people.

But now, Baron is a quiet, mostly abandoned spot where photographers congregate, coming from as far away as New Zealand to record the stark images of antique equipment that fill the building with smells of lanolin and paraffin wax oil.

Sadler ceased major production in 1998, forced out by the prices of import blankets that can be sold for a few dollars.

He can’t compete with that, even though the 1906 “spider wheel” carder could be up and running at any moment, along with rows and rows of intricate equipment that make this mill the only one of its kind west of the Mississippi — embracing the entire manufacturing process from bags of wool to finished product.”

Friends Of Baron Woolen Mills was formed soon after they closed and a business plan was drafted to bring the old mill back to life but alas they couldn’t get the financing together. Then there were talks about it becoming a museum. However, all the pitfalls, money issues and threats to level the building over the last 10 years may soon be over if Jim Davis, a partner in the mill and Paul Larsen, economic development director for Brigham City, have any say in it. They want to see it roar back to life.

“Sad to say, manufacturing in the United States is gone, and with it, most of the facilities that did it. This is the last vertically-integrated, meaning ‘from sheep to blanket,’ mill in the United States,” said Jim Davis, who is a part owner of the mill.

Click here for more info and a video from 12/08

Photo by Heather B. Armstrong

B & W Photos by Christopher Cline

Other images of the mill click HERE