Thursday, June 30, 2011

1937 Delage D8-120 Drop Head Coupe Henri Chapron -- June 30, 2011


San Francisco's Academy of Art University has a fine collection of classic cars available for study by its design students. They shared the collection at the 2010 San Francisco International Auto Show. Here is the 1937 Delage D8-120 Drop Head Coupe Henri Chapron. Delage built luxury cars in France until 1953. Henri Chapron was a coach builder. It's a beautiful car, but I don't care for the color. I don't know why it has right-hand drive. DSCN6389.

The weather was nice today.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Red Devils Return to Pacifica #5 -- June 29, 2011


Pacifica is one of the two cities on the San Francisco peninsula that allow the sale of fireworks. The stands arrived last week and they were open today. This is the stand at the Ace Hardware in Pedro Point. Sales here benefit CYO.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Rain in Late June -- June 28, 2011

It has rained much of the day today, which is very unusual for late June. It was not windy when I left work, so I was able to use my umbrella.

The photo of actress Leila Hyams, who appeared in Freaks and Island of Lost Souls, is from the wonderful site LucyWho (http://www.lucywho.com/).

Monday, June 27, 2011

Benny Bufano #8 -- June 27, 2011


Hillsdale Mall developer David Bohannon commissioned sculptor Benny Bufano to provide sculptures to decorate the new mall in San Mateo. Bufano opened a studio on the mall site in 1955 and created ten of his famous animal sculptures. I took this photo of "Golden Bear" on 13-December-2010. Note the Native American head in front of the bear.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Clipper Three Brothers -- June 26, 2011


Clipper ship Three Brothers had a remarkable career. She was launched as the Vanderbilt, a side wheel paddle steamer, for transatlantic passenger service. During the Civil War, she was taken over by the Union Navy, which used her as a cruiser to hunt for Confederate commerce raiders and blockade runners. In 1873, the Navy sold her to a San Francisco company which converted her into a clipper ship, removing her engines and boilers and replacing her bow. She was known as a fast and handy ship. She was scrapped in 1899.

From the 20-April-1897 San Francisco Call. William A Coulter did many maritime drawings for the newspaper. Click on the image to see a larger version.

The Last of a Famous Clipper


She Was Once a Warship and Then a Merchantman.

Commodore Vanderbilt Built Her at a Cost of a Million.

When She Sailed Through the Golden Gate She Was Known as the Three Brothers


The old-time clipper Three Brothers has come to her last notch. At one time a warship, then one of the largest and fastest clippers in the American mercantile marine, she was finally sold to an English firm and passed under tne English flag. Months ago she outgrew her usefulness and is now serving as a coal hulk for the English Government at Malta.

When the civil war was raging and the Alabama was creating havoc among the Federal merchantmen the big vessel was built and equipped by Commodore Vanderbilt at an expenditure of $1,000,000 and turned over as a present to the Government. At that time she was a side wheeler and did good service. When the Merrimac was being built in the South and the Monitor in the North a proposal was made to the Secretary of the Navy to send three warships South to make a combined rush at the Merrimac and attempt to turn her over. One of the men-of-war designated was the Vanderbilt, but before the attempt could be made the Monitor was built and ready to meet her rival.

After the war the Vauderbiit was sold to George Howes & Brothers of this City for $42,000. They took the machinery out and sold it for more than they paid for the steamer, and taking off her paddles made her into a three-masted ship, naming her the Three Brothers, after George, Henry and Jabez Howes. Her first trip out of the Golden Gate was in October, 1873, and Captain Cummings was in command. Her cargo consisted of over 5000 tons of wheat, and every vessel in port was decorated in honor of her departure. W. A. Coulter, the marine artist, made a magnificent picture of the scene, and it now decorates the walls of the Merchants Exchange. Mr. Coulter followed the Three Brothers to sea on a tug, and the accompanying cut is from a sketch he made just after the vessel got under way.

The Three Brothers was in the California trade for quite a time, and on every trip she made the run in less than 100 days. Then she was sold to an English firm, and now she is rotting to pieces as a coal hulk in the service of the English navy.

Captain George Cummings, who commanded the Three, Brothers all of the time that she carried the American flag, now lives at East Oakland. "She was built by Commodore Vanderbilt ior a yacht," said the veteran captain, "and then Vanderbiit attempted to secure the carrying of the mail between New York and Liverpool. In this he was defeated by the Collins line. He then set up an opposition line to Havre.

"When the war broke out in 1861 Vanderbilt presented the Three Brothers to the United States Government. She was fitted out as a privateer to capture the Alabama, and how I wish she had caught the latter. I was then the captain of the Young America and the Alabama overhauled us in the Strait of Sunda. After putting our crew to sea in small boats they burned her. My wife and two-year-old son were with me on that trip.

"After the war the Three Brothers was docked in New York, calked, overhauled, metaled and sent around the Horn to San Francisco. She lay at Mare Islana six years, and the only work she had to do in that time was to take Queen Emma to the islands.

"In 1870 she was sold to George Howe & Co., and fitted as a sailing vessel at an enormous expense. I was in Liverpool at the time he purchased her, and left the Young America to come to San Francisco and superintend the refitting of her.

"In October, 1873, we sailed for Havre with a cargo of wheat, Mr. Howe accompanying us. The voyage was made in 108 days. Mr. Howe remained in Europe when I returned to New York with the vessel. On arriving there we invited Commodore Vanderbilt to visit his old yacht, but he was unable to do so. One of the boys and her builder, with one or two others, took lunch with us, however.

"The Three Brothers never made any remarkably quick time nor had any accidents whatever. I owned one-sixteenth of her with Howe, but I am glad it was no more for we lost on every voyage. We were offered £4 10s and refuned it in Liverpool and afterward accepted £3 1s. Lawlor's Attorney told us that he was ready to offer £4 15s. but he knew it was useless. She carried 10,000 yards of sail.

"In 1879 she was sold in Liverpool at auction for a mere trifle, virtually given away. She is now a coal hulk at Gibraltar, the strongest old vessel ever built. I had a four-master model of her made and raffled it off for $2000. A man named Middleton, holding twenty-two chances, took the prize. He sold it to Macdonough, who in turn gave it to the Golden Gate Park Museum. It will pay any one to take a look at it."

Captain Cummings has a large painting of the Three Brothers by Walters of Liverpool, for which he paid $250, hanging in his residence. No visitor calls without admiring the vessel as well as the work of art.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Four Years -- June 24, 2011



I launched this blog on 24-June-2007, after a false start on Geocities earlier that month. 1,013 entries later, I can say I've met many nice people and learned some interesting things.

I took the opportunity to review the topics I have covered so far. I still see some personal interests that I have missed and will have to be sure to cover in the next year. I went back to older posts and retrofitted some of the labels to reflect my more recent practices.


09/11 - 5
1000 - 1
1906 - 10
3-D - 1

ABBEY LINCOLN - 1
ABBOTT AND COSTELLO - 2
ABRAHAM LINCOLN - 8
AC TRANSIT - 6
ACES - 1
ADMIRAL DANIEL J CALLAGHAN - 1
ADMISSION DAY - 1
ADOLPH ZUKOR - 1
ADVENT - 1
ADVERTISEMENT - 1
AEA - 1
AERIAL TRAMWAY - 1
ALASKA - 13
ALASKA PACIFIC STEAMSHIP COMPANY - 1
ALCO - 1
ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL - 2
ALEXANDER SOLZHENITSYN - 1
ALEXIS SMITH - 1
ALFA ROMEO - 1
ALICE GUY-BLACHÉ - 1
ALICE HOWELL - 1
ALLEY - 20
AMBROSE BIERCE - 1
AMERICAN HISTORY - 1
ANDREW FURUSETH - 1
ANGELS FLIGHT - 1
ANIMATION - 1
ANNIVERSARY - 3
APPLE - 2
APRIL FOOLS' DAY - 4
ARCH HOXSEY - 2
ARCHITECTURE - 1
ARDENWOOD - 12
ARIZONA - 3
ARMISTICE DAY - 1
ART CLOKEY - 1
ART DECO - 2
ASH WEDNESDAY - 2
AUTOMOTIVE HISTORY - 41
AVENGER - 1
AVIATION HISTORY - 48

BARACK OBAMA - 2
BARBARA KENT - 1
BARNEY OLDFIELD - 7
BARNSTORMING - 1
BARRY BONDS - 6
BART - 12
BASEBALL - 89
BASEBALL CARD - 1
BASTILLE DAY - 1
BATMAN - 5
BAY BOOKS - 1
BAY TO BREAKERS - 1
BEACH CHALET - 1
BEBE DANIELS - 2
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN - 1
BENNY BUFANO - 7
BENNY GOODMAN - 1
BERLIN WALL - 1
BESSIE LOVE - 1
BILL CLINTON - 1
BILL TERRY - 1
BILL'S PLACE - 2
BILLIE RITCHIE - 1
BILLY BEVAN - 1
BILLY MITCHELL - 1
BIOGRAPH - 1
BLACK MASK - 1
BLACKHAWK AUTO MUSEUM - 2
BLAKE EDWARDS - 1
BLERIOT - 2
BLIMP - 3
BLOG-A-THON - 8
BLOGATHON - 9
BLOOD BANK - 1
BLUES - 1
BOB FELLER - 1
BOBBY THOMSON - 2
BOOK - 18
BOXING - 5
BRICKS - 2
BRIDGE - 8
BRIDGE UNIT - 1
BRITISH COLUMBIA - 1
BUCK O'NEIL - 1
BUDDY HOLLY - 1
BUSTER KEATON - 3
BUSTER POSEY - 3

CABLE CARS - 24
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE - 1
CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY - 5
CALIFORNIA HISTORY - 1
CALIFORNIA POPPIES - 1
CALIFORNIA TOURIST GUIDE AND HANDBOOK - 1
CALIFORNIA WESTERN RAILROAD - 3
CALLIOPE - 4
CALTRAIN - 1
CAMANCHE - 1
CANADA - 1
CAPRONI - 1
CAPTAIN AMERICA - 1
CAPTAIN FUTURE - 1
CARL NOLTE - 3
CARROLL JOHN DALY - 1
CARTER B SMITH - 1
CARTOON ART MUSEUM - 2
CARVILLE - 1
CAT - 48
CATCHING UP - 4
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK - 4
CENTRAL COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT - 1
CENTRAL PACIFIC - 1
CHARLIE CHAPLIN - 10
CHESTER CONKLIN - 1
CHEVROLET - 1
CHEVY - 1
CHINA CLIPPER - 1
CHINATOWN - 4
CHINESE NEW YEAR - 5
CHRISTMAS - 20
CHRISTMAS TREE - 1
CHRISTY MATHEWSON - 1
CHRONICLE - 9
CHUTES - 2
CINCO DE MAYO - 3
CITY OF PARIS - 1
CIVIL RIGHTS - 1
CIVIL WAR - 7
CLARA BOW - 1
CLAUDE CHOULES - 1
CLIFF HOUSE - 6
CLOVER MILK - 1
COAST ARTILLERY - 1
COASTSIDE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT - 3
COLLEEN MOORE - 1
COLMA - 3
COLUMBUS DAY - 4
COMIC BOOK - 7
COMICS - 9
COMMUNISM - 1
CRAB - 2
CRANE - 1
CREATURE FEATURES - 1
CRUISE - 11
CSRM - 10
CURTISS - 6

D-DAY - 1
DALY CITY - 1
DANIEL RASMUSSEN - 1
DARPA CHALLENGE - 1
DASHIELL HAMMETT - 14
DEER - 1
DEPARTMENT STORE - 2
DEVIL'S SLIDE - 2
DIMAGGIO - 2
DISNEY FAMILY MUSEUM - 1
DISNEY MUSEUM - 1
DISNEYLAND - 16
DOC SAVAGE - 1
DOCTOR P. H. VAN DER WEYDE - 42
DODGERS - 3
DOOR - 11
DORIS LESSING - 1
DOUGLAS TILDEN - 3
DUCK - 5
DUESENBERG - 1
DUKE ELLINGTON - 1
DVD - 13
DW GRIFFITH - 1
DWIGHT EISENHOWER - 1

E CLAMPUS VITUS - 1
E-M-F - 1
EARTH DAY - 1
EARTHA KITT - 1
EARTHQUAKE - 14
EAST BAY TERMINAL - 18
EASTER - 5
EDDIE COLLA - 1
EDGAR ALLAN POE - 1
EDWARD KENNEDY - 1
EGYPT - 2
EL GRANADA - 3
ELECTION - 11
ELIZABETH TAYLOR - 1
ELLA RAINES - 1
EMPORIUM - 1
ERNST UDET - 1
ESCAPOLOGY - 5

F-4 PHANTOM - 1
FAIRBANKS - 2
FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND - 1
FARLEY GRANGER - 1
FATHER DAMIEN - 1
FATHERS' DAY - 5
FELIX THE CAT - 1
FERRY - 9
FERRY BUILDING - 3
FILM FUN - 2
FILM NOIR - 1
FIRE - 10
FIREBOAT - 3
FIREHOUSE - 44
FIREWORKS - 7
FISHING - 1
FLAG DAY - 4
FLYING - 3
FOG - 1
FOKKER - 1
FOOD - 1
FORD - 4
FORREST J ACKERMAN - 1
FORT BRAGG - 1
FORT SUMTER - 1
FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA - 1
FRANK BUCKLES - 1
FRANK NORRIS - 1
FRED KARNO - 2
FREDERICK H MEYER - 1
FRESNO - 1
FRIDAY THE 13TH - 4
FUNICULAR - 2

G8 - 1
GAYLORD PERRY - 4
GEESE - 1
GELETT BURGESS - 3
GENE AUTRY - 1
GEORGE M COHAN - 1
GEORGE MESTACH - 1
GEORGE WASHINGTON - 3
GEORGES MÉLIÈS - 1
GERTRUDE STEIN - 1
GHIRARDELLI SQUARE - 1
GIANTS - 103
GIL SCOTT-HERON - 1
GOLD RUSH - 1
GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE - 1
GOLDEN GATE EXPRESS RAILWAY - 3
GOLDEN GATE NATIONAL RECREATION AREA - 1
GOLDEN GATE PARK - 13
GOLDEN GATE THEATRE - 1
GOOD FRIDAY - 3
GOOD SHEPHERD - 42
GRAFFITTI - 1
GRAND PRIX - 1
GRAUMAN'S CHINESE - 16
GREEN ENERGY - 1
GREEN LAMA - 1
GROUNDHOG DAY - 2
GUEST BLOGGER - 1
GUISEPPE GARIBALDI - 1
GUMBY - 1
GUNSMOKE - 1
GUSTAVE WHITEHEAD - 1

HALF MOON BAY - 11
HALLOWEEN - 7
HANK AARON - 1
HAP ARNOLD - 1
HARLEM HELLFIGHTERS - 1
HAROLD GEISSENHEIMER - 1
HAROLD LLOYD - 5
HAROLD PINTER - 1
HARRY LANGDON - 2
HARRY POTTER - 1
HARVARD (STEAMER) - 3
HATS - 3
HEALD - 2
HEALTH CARE REFORM - 1
HEARST - 2
HENRI SALMET - 1
HENRY CASEBOLT - 1
HENRY VAN DER WEYDE - 5
HERALD - 14
HERB CAEN - 1
HERRMANN THE GREAT - 1
HITCHCOCK - 2
HOLIDAY - 70
HOLLYWOOD - 14
HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME - 1
HOLY SATURDAY - 1
HOMELESS - 2
HORACE GOLDIN - 1
HORSE CAR - 6
HORSECAR - 6
HOUDINI - 3
HOWARD ZINN - 1
HUCKLEBERRY FINN - 2
HYDE STREET PIER - 3

INDEPENDENCE DAY - 4
INDIANAPOLIS 500 - 2
INGMAR BERGMAN - 1
IPAD - 1
IPOD - 4
ITALY - 4
IVY BALDWIN - 1
IWW - 1

JACK BENNY - 1
JACK LALANE - 1
JACK LONDON - 2
JACQUES TATI - 1
JAIME ESCALANTE - 1
JAMES ARNESS - 1
JAMES C MARS - 2
JAMES GARFIELD - 1
JAMES MOODY - 1
JANE RUSSELL - 1
JASPER FFORDE - 1
JAZZ - 9
JD SALINGER - 1
JEAN HARLOW - 1
JEJUNE INSTITUTE - 3
JERRY FLAMM - 1
JIM CARROLL - 1
JIMMY ADAMS - 1
JIMMY DURANTE - 1
JIMMY PARROTT - 1
JOAN BLONDELL - 1
JOE - 4
JOE PALOOKA - 1
JOE VENUTI - 1
JOE ZAWINUL - 1
JOHN BARRYMORE - 1
JOHN J PERSHING - 2
JOHN MCGRAW - 1
JOHN MOISANT - 1
JOHN STEPHENSON - 1
JOHN UPDIKE - 1
JOHNNY GRIFFIN - 1
JUAN MARICHAL - 3
JUANA BRIONES - 1
JUDY GARLAND - 1
JUNE HAVER - 1
JUNEAU - 1
JURY DUTY - 1

KANSAS CITY SOUTHERN - 1
KARC - 1
KCBS - 3
KDFC - 1
KELLAR - 1
KETCHIKAN - 1
KEVIN BROWNLOW - 1
KEY SYSTEM - 6
KEYSTONE - 5
KFRC - 3
KINO - 1
KJAZ - 2
KLSI - 5
KNBR - 2
KNOX - 17
KPIX - 1
KPO - 2
KRE - 2
KSFO - 3
KUSF - 1
KYA - 1

LABOR DAY - 4
LAND'S END - 7
LANSING - 1
LARRY GELBART - 1
LARRY SEMON - 2
LASSCO - 3
LAUREL AND HARDY - 2
LAWRENCE HALPRIN - 1
LEFTY O'DOUL'S - 1
LENA HORNE - 1
LENT - 2
LEONCE PERRET - 1
LESLIE NIELSEN - 1
LIFE ON MARS - 2
LIGE CONLEY - 1
LILLY LANGTRY - 1
LINCECUM - 14
LINCOLN BEACHEY - 1
LIVY - 1
LLAMA - 1
LLOYD HAMILTON - 1
LOCKS - 1
LOCOMOBILE - 1
LOCOMOTIVE - 8
LON CHANEY - 2
LOS ANGELES - 1
LOTTA'S FOUNTAIN - 1
LOUIS FEUILLADE - 1
LOUISE FAZENDA - 1
LOUISE M DAVIES - 1
LUCIANO PAVAROTTI - 1
LURLINE BATHS - 1

MABEL NORMAND - 5
MACK SENNETT - 1
MACWORLD - 1
MADGE EVANS - 1
MAGIC - 6
MALTESE FALCON - 2
MANUFACTURER AND BUILDER MAGAZINE - 20
MARDI GRAS - 1
MARE ISLAND - 1
MARIN - 1
MARION DAVIES - 1
MARK TWAIN - 3
MARKET STREET RAILWAY - 3
MARMON - 1
MARTHA VICKERS - 1
MARX BROTHERS - 1
MARY ANDERSON - 1
MARY BRIAN - 1
MARY PICKFORD - 1
MATT CAIN - 1
MAX ROACH - 1
MAY DAY - 2
MAZZETTI'S BAKERY - 2
MEMORIAL DAY - 4
MENKO - 1
MEXICO - 4
MICHAEL CHABON - 1
MICHAEL JACKSON - 1
MICHELANGELO ANTONIONI - 1
MIDWINTER FAIR - 2
MISSION - 1
MLK - 4
MONADNOCK - 1
MONITOR - 1
MONORAIL - 4
MONTE COLLINS - 1
MONTE IRVIN - 3
MONTICELLO STEAMSHIP COMPANY - 1
MOON - 1
MOON LANDING - 1
MOSS BEACH - 1
MOTHERS' DAY - 4
MOUNT TAMALPAIS - 1
MOVIES - 67
MSR - 1
MUNI - 19
MUSEE MECANIQUE - 1
MUSEUM OF FLIGHT - 1
MUSIC - 14
MUTOSCOPE - 4

NASA - 1
NATIONAL TRAIN DAY - 2
NAVY - 6
NEAL BURNS - 1
NEGRO LEAGUES - 2
NEW DEAL - 1
NEW ORLEANS - 2
NEW YEAR - 7
NEW YORK CENTRAL - 1
NEW YORK TO PARIS RACE - 1
NEW ZEALAND - 1
NEWSPAPER - 2
NICK CARTER - 1
NICK'S - 2
NICKNAME - 3
NITRATE FILM - 5
NORMA TALMADGE - 1
NORMAN MAILER - 1
NORMAN ROCKWELL - 1
NORTH COAST COUNTY FIRE AUTHORITY - 4
NORTHWESTERN PACIFIC - 6
NORTON BUFFALO - 1
NUT TREE - 2

OAKLAND - 8
OBSOLETE TECHNOLOGY - 8
OCEAN SHORE RAILROAD - 10
OCTOPUS - 1
OGDEN NASH - 1
OLD MINT - 1
OLIVER HARDY - 1
OLYMPICS - 1
ONCE UPON A TIME - 2
OPERA - 2
ORACLE - 7
ORIGINAL JOE'S - 1
ORLANDO CEPEDA - 5
ORMER LOCKLEAR - 1
OSCAR PETERSON - 1
OSHA - 1
OTR - 6
OTTO MESSMER - 1

P-38 LIGHTNING - 1
P-52 MUSTANG - 1
P-80 SHOOTING STAR - 1
PACIFIC COAST STEAMSHIP COMPANY - 2
PACIFIC NAVIGATION COMPANY - 1
PACIFICA - 71
PALACE HOTEL - 2
PALM SUNDAY - 2
PARADE - 1
PARAMOUNT - 1
PARKING DAY - 2
PARSEVAL - 1
PATRICIA NEAL - 1
PATRICK MCGOOHAN - 1
PATTON - 2
PAUL REVERE - 1
PEARL HARBOR DAY - 3
PEGGY SHANNON - 1
PENTECOST - 1
PESCADERO - 1
PGE - 1
PHANTOM DETECTIVE - 1
PHIL FRANK - 1
PHILLIPS W PAGE - 1
PHONOAUTOGRAPH - 1
PHOTOGRAPHY - 5
PHOTOPHONE - 1
PIER 39 - 1
PIKE PLACE MARKET - 1
PLAYLAND-AT-THE-BEACH - 2
PLUCK AND LUCK - 1
PODCAST - 1
POETRY - 1
POINT RICHMOND - 1
PONY EXPRESS - 2
PORT COSTA - 1
PPIE - 7
PRESIDENTS' DAY - 3
PRESIDIO - 7
PULP - 25
PUMPKIN - 1

Q-FM - 2

RACE WILLIAMS - 1
RACING CAR - 22
RACISM - 4
RADIO - 19
RAGTIME - 1
RAILROAD HISTORY - 71
RALPH DEPALMA - 1
RAOUL WALSH - 1
RAVENSWOOD WINERY - 1
RAYMOND CHANDLER - 1
REMINISCENCES OF AN ACTIVE LIFE - 23
RESTAURANT - 15
RFK - 1
RICH AURILIA - 1
RINCON HILL - 2
ROALD AMUNDSEN - 1
ROBERT BURNS - 1
ROCK'N'ROLL - 2
ROCKAWAY BEACH - 1
ROD BECK - 1
ROGIER VAN DER WEYDEN - 1
ROME - 1
RONALD REAGAN - 1
ROOF RIDES - 1
ROSCOE ARBUCKLE - 2
ROY ROGERS - 1

SACRAMENTO - 8
SACRAMENTO NORTHERN - 2
SAILORS' UNION OF THE PACIFIC - 1
SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI - 1
SAINT IGANTIUS - 2
SAINT JOSEPH'S DAY - 4
SAINT MONICAS - 3
SAINT PATRICK'S DAY - 4
SAINT VALENTINE'S DAY - 4
SALLY PHIPPS - 1
SAM SPADE - 5
SAMTRANS - 20
SAN BRUNO - 1
SAN BRUNO FIRE DEPARTMENT - 1
SAN FRANCISCO CALL - 1
SAN FRANCISCO HISTORY - 188
SAN FRANCISCO HISTORY EXPO - 1
SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW - 3
SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY - 6
SAN JUAN BAUTISTA - 4
SAN LUIS OBISPO - 1
SAN MATEO COUNTY FAIR - 1
SAN RAFAEL - 1
SANTA FE RAILROAD - 3
SANTA ROSA - 1
SARAH PALIN - 1
SCHELL-VISTA VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT - 1
SCULPTURE - 9
SEAGULL - 1
SEALS - 2
SEATTLE - 14
SECRET AGENT X - 1
SEE'S - 1
SERIALS - 2
SERVAIS LE ROY - 1
SHADOW - 1
SHAKESPEARE - 2
SHAWN ESTES - 1
SHERLOCK HOLMES - 2
SHIPS - 22
SIDEWALK ART - 2
SIDNEY BECHET - 1
SIDNEY LUMET - 1
SIGNS - 38
SILAS CHRISTOFFERSON - 1
SILENT MOVIES - 51
SKAGWAY - 3
SLAPSTICK - 27
SLAVERY - 1
SNAKE - 1
SNUB POLLARD - 1
SOLIDARITY - 1
SONOMA - 5
SOPWITH - 1
SOUND RECORDING - 1
SOUTH PARK - 2
SOUTHERN PACIFIC - 9
SPACE SHUTTLE - 1
SPAMALOT - 1
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR - 2
SPARKY WATTS - 1
SPEAKING - 1
SPIDER - 1
SPRING - 4
SPUR - 2
STAN LAUREL - 2
STANFORD - 5
STANLEY STEAMER - 1
STATE FAIR - 1
STATUE - 19
STORM - 37
STREAMLINE MODERNE - 1
SUBMARINE - 1
SUICIDE SQUAD - 1
SUNNY JIM ROLPH - 1
SUPERMAN - 1
SUTRO BATHS - 3
SYDNEY CHAPLIN - 1

TANFORAN - 4
TAPEWORM - 1
TAX - 1
TCM - 1
TEA BAGGERS - 1
TELEPHONE - 2
TENNESSEE WILLIAMS - 1
THANKSGIVING - 4
THE PNEUMATIC ROLLING-SPHERE CARRIER DELUSION - 6
THE PRISONER - 1
THEATER - 4
THELMA TODD - 1
THEODORE ROOSEVELT - 2
THIN MAN - 1
THOMAS FLYER - 3
THOMAS JEFFERSON - 1
THURSDAY NEXT - 1
TIMOTHY PFLUEGER - 2
TIPPI HEDREN - 1
TOM LANTOS - 1
TOMMYS MEXICAN RESTAURANT - 1
TRACY ARM FJORD - 1
TRAIN STATION - 37
TRANSIT - 60
TRIANGLE SHIRTWAIST FACTORY - 1
TRIPLANE - 1
TST - 1
TSUNAMI - 1
TURNER CLASSIC MOVIES - 1

UB IWERKS - 1
UNION - 2
UNION CITY - 1
UNION IRON WORKS - 1
UNION PACIFIC - 2
UNION SQUARE - 2
US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS - 1
USS BEAR - 1

VALLEJO - 1
VANDALISM - 1
VANDERWEYDE - 48
VAUDEVILLE - 7
VERNON ALLEY - 1
VETERANS DAY - 4
VICTOR HUGO - 1
VICTORIA - 1
VIETNAM WAR - 1
VINCENT PRICE - 1

W. A. COULTER - 16
WACHOVIA - 1
WALKING TOUR - 7
WALL OF FAME - 17
WALT DISNEY - 2
WALTER RICE - 1
WALTER WELLMAN - 1
WAPAMA - 1
WAR - 4
WATCHMEN - 1
WAX MUSEUM - 5
WC FIELDS - 2
WEDDING - 3
WELLS FARGO - 3
WESTERN PACIFIC - 2
WESTERN RAILWAY MUSEUM - 3
WESTERNS - 5
WHALES - 1
WHALING - 1
WHAT IS THIS - 2
WHISPERER (PULP) - 1
WHITE MOTOR CAR - 2
WHITE PASS AND YUKON - 2
WHY - 9
WICKED - 1
WILLIAM MANLEY VANDER WEYDE - 4
WILLIE HOWARD - 1
WILLIE MAYS - 10
WILLIE MCCOVEY - 6
WILLITS - 1
WINDMILL - 1
WINTON - 1
WIZARD OF OZ - 2
WORLD CUP - 1
WORLD SERIES 2010 - 7
WPA - 2
WRIGHT - 1
WWI - 20
WWII - 15

YAKYU - 1
YALE (STEAMER) - 4
YERBA BUENA GARDENS - 10

ZEPPELIN - 1
ZIEGFELD FOLLIES - 1

A special thank you to the people who have taken the time to comment on my rambling observations.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Once Upon a Time Long Ago-1800 -- June 23, 2011


The San Francisco Arts Commission (http://www.sfartscommission.org/) has set up a series of posters by artist Elisheva Biernoff representing important moments in San Francisco history and geographic features that lie beneath the developed city. I took this photo on 25-June-2011, showing a poster that depicts San Francisco before the Spanish arrived and founded the Mission and the Presidio in 1776. It shows quail, elk and a bear. Click on the image to see an enormously large version.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Door #11 -- June 22, 2011

A door on the Mission Street side of the former Rincon Annex Post Office. The building is a nice example of Streamline Moderne design. The lobby holds a wonderful WPA mural. I took the photo on 13-June-2011.

Today was cooler.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Comic Book #6 -- June 21, 2011

The first issue of Action Comics, from June, 1938, featured the debut of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster's Superman. The popularity of Superman revolutionized the comic book business and led to the creation of hundreds of other costumed super heroes. I was always more of a fan of Batman, who was a self-made man.

Today was the first day of summer. It was warm again.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Slapstick #10, June 20, 2011

Harold Lloyd's first short feature, A Sailor-Made Man, is advertised in the 01-January-1922 Ogden Standard-Examiner. "Ship Ahoy! Here's Gobs of Joy!" The White Mouse was a Selig short subject starring Lewis Stone, Wallace Beery and Ethel Grey Terry.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Happy Fathers' Day #4 -- June 19, 2011


Happy Fathers' Day to all my fellow fathers. I miss my dad.

I think my favorite movie dad is William Powell's Nick Charles in the Thin Man series, inspired by Dashiell Hammett's novel. Nick and Nora really loved each other. Nick had some points in common with my dad: He was very smart, he could be very sarcastic, and he always enjoyed a martini.

The photo of Nick, Nora and Asta is from the wonderful site LucyWho (http://www.lucywho.com/).

Saturday, June 18, 2011

San Mateo County Fair -- June 18, 2011

Today we went to the San Mateo County Fair. The weather was nice, clear but not too hot. I took the photo of two sheep who were enjoying the moderate temperatures. The pig races were very popular. Unfortunately, a member of the party came down ill, so we didn't stay very long.

Friday, June 17, 2011

Pulp #25 -- June 17, 2011

I'm not sure there are any documented cases of a submarine fighting a Zeppelin with its deck gun, but here we have it illustrated on the cover of the February, 1929 Navy Stories. It's an exciting picture.

The image is from Phil Stephensen-Payne's wonderful Galactic Central (http://www.philsp.com/).

Thursday, June 16, 2011

The Harvard Sails To-day -- June 16, 2011


The Harvard and the Yale were fast steamers brought from the east coast by the Pacific Navigation Company to operate between San Francisco and San Pedro, the port of Los Angeles. They sailed the route from 1911 until World War One and 1921 until 1931 (by the Los Angeles-San Francisco Steamship Company), when Harvard hit rocks near Point Arguello and sank. The effects of the Great Depression and competition from autos and railroads caused LASSCO to stop service with the Yale after 1936. Both ships carried troops to Europe during WWI and Yale served the Navy during WWII.

This advertisement, from the 24-April-1912 San Francisco Call, refers to that day's sailing of the Harvard.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Alley #20 -- June 15, 2011


Dawson Place extends east from Mason on a steep block between Sacramento and Clay Streets. I took the photo on 11-December-2010.

The weather was warm today.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Monday, June 13, 2011

Gil Scott-Heron, RIP -- June 13, 2011

Gil Scott-Heron died last week. I remember when KRE used to play his music. He was a poet.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Heald #2 -- June 12, 2011


I used to teach at Heald Business College in San Francisco (http://www.heald.edu/). They provide a good education in a short time to those who are willing to work at it. The ad is from the 25-December-1910 San Francisco Call. I visited the Oakland branch of the school a few times.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Blood Bank -- June 12, 2011

We went to the Blood Bank and got our Giants tee shirts.

At 5 o'clock mass, the vigil of Pentecost, Father Jack talked about the child abuse scandal.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Fire Funeral -- June 10, 2011


Today the funeral of Vincent Perez and Anthony Valerio, the two firefighters killed in the Diamond Heights fire, took place at the Cathedral. As I walked to work this morning, four trucks and engines passed me going up Third Street. I don't know why this San Rafael truck was going that direction.

I took BART home. After we left the Daly City station, I saw a line of fire vehicles going down 280 towards Holy Cross. When I left the parking garage at Colma, I found that the ramp to the freeway was closed. I turned left onto Junipero Serra and found that the fire vehicles were going down Serramonte Boulevard, so I got over the left and went up Southgate until I could go over to Skyline and down to One. The ramps to get onto One North to 280 were jammed.

Incidentally, this is the 1000th post on this blog. Thank you to all those who read and comment.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

The Aurora Borealis - June 9, 2011


Doctor Peter Henri Van Der Weyde wrote the series of articles which gave this blog its name. This article, from the 10-December-1869 New York Tribune describes a meeting of the Polytechnic Branch of the American Institute.

The Polytechnic Branch of the American Institute met at their rooms in the Cooper Institute last evening. Prof. Samuel D. Tillman presided and opened the meeting by reading his usual summary of scientific news. A machine for working sewing-machines by the use of springs was exhibited, and its merits and demerits freely discussed. Dr. Hall then exhibited a bathometer for sea soundings, which was highly commended. The subject for the evening, "The Aurora Borealis," was next taken up, and scientifically treated by Dr. Vanderweyde, who spoke at length, clearly setting forth the Electric theory, and seeking to prove the origin of the phenonmena to be from that source. The lateness of the hour preventing Dr. Hall's reply, further discussion was postponed.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Nickname #3 -- June 8, 2011


The 369th Infantry Regiment, the Harlem Hellfighters, was a New York National Guard regiment taken into Federal service and shipped to France for World War I. White officers were not excited about using them in combat, despite being under the overall command of John J (Black Jack) Pershing, so they sent the regiment to serve with the French Army. The 369th served with distinction until the end of the war, the whole unit receiving the Croix de Guerre. Another nickname earned by the regiment was "the Black Rattlers."

The regimental band, led by Lieutenant James Reese Europe, helped to introduce jazz to Europe.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Pop-Up Museum -- June 7, 2011

I probably did not mention that the ugly sculpture store on the first floor of my building went out of business last year. Earlier this year, a museum of Craft and Design appeared, setting up and opening in just a few days. Friday they were gone. They had some interesting stuff. I'm not happy about the apostrophe in "it's next site."

Monday, June 6, 2011

D-Day -- June 6, 2011

General Eisenhower issued this message to his soldiers, sailors and airmen on 06-June-1944, D-Day. Click on the image to see a larger version. Thank heaven "this great and noble undertaking" was a success.

The image is from Today's Document (http://todaysdocument.tumblr.com/) at the National Archives.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Train Station #35 -- June 5, 2011

The Western Pacific Railroad's depot at Third and Washington in Oakland. This is from the May, 1914 Pacific Service Magazine, published by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company.

Saturday, June 4, 2011

James Arness, RIP -- June 4, 2011

I was sorry to hear that James Arness had died. He was a World War II veteran, who was seriously injured during the invasion at Anzio. He played the monster in The Thing, but was famous for playing Marshal Matt Dillon in the television version of Gunsmoke.

I don't remember watching Gunsmoke when I was very young, but after I heard the radio version played on Gene Nelson's old time radio program on KSFO, I started watching it and enjoyed the last few seasons. I was impressed that the show had been on television since the 1950s.

The photograph shows Jim Arness with Amanda Blake, who played businesswoman Miss Kitty.

Friday, June 3, 2011

Firehouse #44 -- June 3, 2011

The flag flies at half staff over Station One on Howard Street today, the day after fireman Vincent Perez was killed in a fire in Diamond Heights and Anthony Valerio was critically injured. Perez was the first San Francisco firefighter killed on duty in eight years and the first to die in a fire since 1995.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Magic #6 -- June 2, 2011

On New Year's Eve 1898, the San Francisco Call advertised Horace Goldin as one of the acts at the Orpheum Theatre. This was early in his career, which continued until his death after a performance in 1939. He later developed an early version of the sawing a lady in half illusion (US Patent 1,458,575). I would like to see Mons. and Mme. Rofix, World's Greatest Chin Balancers.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

The Eagle Man Who Smiles at Death -- June 1, 2011

After serving in the US Army Air Service during World War I, Ormer Locklear became a barnstormer who specialized in wing walking. He and his partner Skeets Elliot toured the country thrilling audiences. The Great Air Robbery was Locklear's first starring movie role. While shooting his second starring movie, The Skywayman (great title), pilot Elliot was blinded by spotlights during a night dive and both men were killed. The producers left the scene in the movie.

The ad comes from the 12-April-1920 Evening Missourian. The extra set of eyes is disturbing. Click on the image to see a larger version.