There's nothing quite like the feeling of adding books to your collection, and my latest haul has me absolutely buzzing with excitement! I just had to share a peek at the wonderful titles I've picked up, each one promising a unique journey.
First up, taking center stage, is "New York's Bravest: Eight Decades of Photographs from the Daily News." As someone who loves history and the incredible stories that come out of bustling cities, this book immediately caught my eye. I can't wait to dive into these pages and see New York City through the lens of its everyday heroes. From dramatic rescues to poignant moments, I'm expecting a powerful and inspiring look at the courage and resilience of firefighters and the city they protect. This is more than just a photo book; it's a testament to human spirit.
Then, peeking out from underneath, I'm thrilled to see some wonderful art books dedicated to Norman Rockwell. I've always admired Rockwell's ability to capture the essence of American life with such warmth, detail, and often, a touch of humor. It looks like I have "The Best of Norman Rockwell: A Celebration of 100 Years" and another titled "Norman Rockwell's Happy Holidays." These are perfect for those moments when you want to unwind and appreciate the nostalgic charm of his illustrations. I’m particularly looking forward to flipping through the holiday collection as the easter season approaches!
And last but certainly not least, towering proudly in the background, is "Hollywood Suitcase" by Sammy Davis Jr. What a legend! I'm a huge fan of classic Hollywood and the Rat Pack era, so getting a firsthand account from one of its most iconic figures is going to be an absolute treat. I’m anticipating a fascinating, candid, and perhaps even a bit scandalous look into the golden age of entertainment, filled with incredible stories and insights into a truly extraordinary life.
I'm so excited to start reading these! Each book feels like a portal to a different world – the gritty reality of NYC heroes, the heartwarming artistry of Rockwell, and the glittering, complex life of a Hollywood icon.
There is a specific kind of magic found in the quiet corners of a used bookstore or a private collection—the thrill of the hunt. This weekend, that hunt led me to three volumes that feel less like books and more like time capsules. As I cleared a space on my shelves for them, I realized they don't just represent a hobby; they represent a trilogy of mid-century mastery: the Voice, the Face, and the Eye of an era.
The Daughter’s Portrait
First, I settled on Frank Sinatra: My Father by Nancy Sinatra. We all know the public Frank—the tuxedo, the cigarette, the swagger of the Rat Pack. But as I flipped through the pages, I was struck by the intimacy that only a daughter could capture. Nancy provides a lens that looks past the stage lights and the headlines to show a man who was deeply devoted to his craft and his family. It is a massive, heavy volume filled with rare photographs that make the "Chairman of the Board" feel human again.
The Man Who Invented Himself
Next to it sits Cary Grant: A Class Apart. If Sinatra was the sound of the 20th century, Grant was undoubtedly its image. This book is a fascinating narrative of self-creation, detailing how a young man named Archie Leach meticulously built the persona of Cary Grant until the mask and the man became one. Holding the book, you can almost feel the elegance of the Old Hollywood studio system—a world where style was a religion and Grant was its high priest.
The Saturday Evening Time Machine
Finally, I added the "heavyweight" of the group: Norman Rockwell: 332 Magazine Covers. This isn't just an art book; it’s a panoramic view of the American soul. To see all 332 Saturday Evening Post covers in one place is to watch the world change in real-time. From the innocent humor of the early 1900s to the poignant social reflections of his later years, Rockwell’s eye for detail is unmatched. Seeing the brushwork at this scale reminds you why he remains the ultimate storyteller of the American experience.
As I step back and look at these three icons sitting together—Sinatra, Grant, and Rockwell—I’m reminded of why I collect. These books are more than paper and binding; they are the guardians of our cultural memory. They remind us of a time when glamour was effortless, music was timeless, and a single magazine cover could capture the heart of a nation.
I recently came across and purchased a fascinating piece of television history: an original 1962 press photo from the classic game show Password. While the image itself is a charming look at the "Golden Age" of game shows, the markings on the front and a curious typo on the back tell a much larger story about how news was made before the digital age.
The Scene: August 5, 1962
The photo captures a tense moment during a CBS Sunday night broadcast. In the shot, we see:
Allen Ludden: The legendary "Password Master" himself.
Kitty Carlisle & Tom Poston: Two giants of the 1960s panel-show circuit.
The Guest: A civilian player chosen from the audience, clearly feeling the pressure of the national spotlight.
The "Smoking Gun" Typo
The most human part of this artifact is found on the back. The typed caption (known in the industry as a "snipe") describes Kitty Carlisle trying to "deciper" a clue.
In 1962, there was no spellcheck. A publicist at CBS or for syndicated columnist Ed Misurell likely banged this out on a manual typewriter. Once that master copy was made, the "deciper" error was duplicated via mimeograph and sent to newspapers across the country. It’s a permanent record of a split-second finger slip from over 60 years ago.
Behind the Scenes: The "Editorial Marks"
What makes this specific physical copy special is that it was a "working draft" for a newspaper editor. You can see the history written directly on the image:
The White Paint: Those thick borders aren't damage—they are "crop marks." An editor painted over the edges to tell the printer exactly where to cut the image to fit a specific layout.
"3 COL": This handwritten note was a directive to the layout team: “This photo needs to span three columns of the newspaper.”
The "PREDATE" Stamp: This is the ultimate newspaper insider term. It proves the photo was prepared for an early edition of the Sunday paper, likely the "TV Highlights" section that had to be printed days before the show actually aired.
The "Kill" That Saved the Photo
Interestingly, this photo is in remarkably good condition. Usually, if a photo was actually used to create a metal printing plate, it ended up stained or scratched. Because this one is so clean, it was likely "killed"—slated for the paper but cut at the last minute to make room for more text or an advertisement.
It was filed away in a newspaper "morgue" (archive) under file #665, where it sat for decades until it found its way into the light again.
Why It Matters Today
In an era of high-definition digital archives, holding a physical "working" photo like this reminds us that history was once hand-painted, manually typed, and physically filed. It’s not just a photo of Allen Ludden; it’s a physical piece of the 1962 news cycle.
THE term “ranch house” brings to mind such wide open spaces that prospective builders in towns and cities often pass up this interesting style of architecture in their choice of plans. Yet this type of house—which is particularly well suited to the climate and terrain of many sections of the South and Southwest—is easily adapted to a small lot and to the life of the urban family.
The plan shown here is especially designed to meet the requirements of the ranch-minded city dweller. It has all the best features of the streamlined modern home, it is distinctly ranch style in character, and it can be built on a 60-foot lot.
The use of native stone gives the house an indigenous quality and the definite character which is the basic requirement of pleasant living.
Other masonry materials, used in a simple and straightforward manner, will also produce a pleasing design. We have used wood shingles for the roof. Large windows give light and ventilation.
The house can be entered from either the street or the driveway. The entry itself opens into the living area and also into a hall which connects with the rest of the house. This arrangement makes for convenience in every-day living, since it is possible to walk from the kitchen to the bedrooms or to answer the front doorbell without going through the living room.
Each room is large, well lighted and ventilated, and there is plenty of wall space for furniture. There are plenty of closets for clothes and general storage. The dining space is a simple alcove off one end of the living room.
The house is connected to the garage by a breezeway and a utility room, ideally suited for laundry and general housework. The garage is a two-car arrangement, reached from the side entrance. When open the overhead doors provide a space of protected outdoor living. The entire scheme is well organized, and it presents interesting possibilities for the development of planting areas.
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source: The Progressive Farmer – Distinctive Southern Homes | 1950
Gemini AI Rendering
A HOUSE does not have to be large to achieve distinction. But it does have to have integrity of line, good proportion and individuality. This two-bedroom plan possesses all of these attributes.
In addition, it is especially arranged to provide the maximum amount of cross ventilation and protection against extreme climatic conditions. Each room has several windows and they are so placed as to catch both the breeze and the light. Besides the provisions for good summer ventilation, the house has been insulated for protection in both summer and winter. This insulation is between the ceiling joists throughout the house.
There is enough wall space to permit several different arrangements of furniture—a boon to the woman who likes to change things around every so often.
The main entrance door is on the end of the porch between the garage and the living room. The living room is large enough for both a living and a dining room. The large window in the front wall of this room is primarily an exterior design feature, but it offers an excellent opportunity for the use of unusual drapery or some particularly interesting piece of furniture. The main interior feature of this room is the fireplace with a window on one side and a woodbox on the other.
If the owner does not wish to set the dining table in the living space, there is a built-in alcove in the kitchen for dining purposes.
Just behind the kitchen is a screened porch that can be made into a delightful summer sitting room or dining room. Next to the kitchen and connected to the house is the garage, reached from either the front or rear porch.
There are two large bedrooms with one good-size closet in each room. The bath between these rooms has the standard fixtures and a built-in linen closet.
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source: The Progressive Farmer – Distinctive Southern Homes | 1950
Gemini AI Rendering
IN THE past, the advantages of the two-family house were frequently offset by a lack of individuality, privacy and residential character in design. But the modern duplexes are as attractive as they are practical, and these is nothing about their exterior design to stamp them as two-family houses.
This neat little two-family dwelling has definite individuality in both floor plan and exterior design. The plan is compact, yet each room has ample space for comfortable living. There is enough wall space to permit the owner to rearrange the furniture as often as he likes.
The unit on the left has an entrance on the left front. The door is protected by a metal hood with an interesting little wrought iron bracket as a support.
The unit on the right has a front wall of brick which distinguishes it from the other unit and adds much to the residential appearance. The front entrance to the unit is on the right of this wall, opening into the end of the living room.
The combination of frame and brick and the use of wood blinds at the center window definitely place this duplex in a class with one-family residences of the same size.
Separate front and service entrances give privacy and afford quick access to any part of the two units.
All rooms are well ventilated and the storage and closet space is generous. The living rooms are large enough for a table to be placed next to the kitchen for dining purposes.
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source: The Progressive Farmer – Distinctive Southern Homes | 1950
Gemini AI Rendering
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