DuPont Sign, New York World's Fair - March 1964

Today I am sharing the third and final (for now) blog post from the 1964 World’s Fair, showing the installation of the sign in front of the DuPont pavilion. Go back and look at the first two posts if you've forgotten about them!

This first shot is from the upper "terrace" of the DuPont building, looking toward the Unisphere (with the Republic of China building just to the right of it). Down below, roadways are full of worker's cars as they push themselves to complete the Fair for opening day, only a month after these pictures were taken (it opened on April 22, 1964). The building closest to us, to the right, is the "Spain" pavilion, with the saw-toothed roof of the "Indonesia" pavilion beyond that.

I love these ground views at this stage of the construction! We had a similar view in the last post. I have no idea what that sporty pale red (deep pink?) beauty is in front of us, but some of you will know! The big IBM "Selectric" ball to the left has a square hole in the side, but this will be filled in soon enough.
 

OK, back to the sign. I admit that the last three are not quite as interesting as the views from the previous two posts, but this is what I've got; one of the three identical signs appears to be in the process of being hoisted into place. In the background we can see the upper level of the DuPont building, where the first picture was taken.

The two remaining sides of the triangular sign still sit on the truck that brought them all the way from Baltimore. 

It looks like this might be the final piece, on its way up. Weirdly, there was no photo of the finished product in this batch. BUT... I have another group of slides, it's been a while since I've looked at them, but I believe that we might get a few additional views of things like the Unisphere under construction, the Fairgrounds blanketed in snow between seasons, and more!

I hope you have enjoyed these NYWF scans!

Two Beauties

I have two randos for you today, but they are nice randos that help old ladies across the street and open doors for others. First up is this view from February, 1961. If you didn't like crowds at Disneyland, I guess February was the time to go, just look at it. There's maybe a dozen people in all, including those in the Skyway gondolas. Mama mia! The slurry is damp, either from its morning scrub, or possibly from a recent shower (it was Winter, after all). I just kind of like the color and composition in this one, and my favorite orange gondola (yes, I am sure there was more than one) is overhead. Check out those cool drinking fountains! 

Next, we warp through time to July, 1964 for this sunny photo of the Matterhorn (again), with one of the Snooty Caterpillars from the Alice in Wonderland attraction to the right. I love the pearlescent colors of the Skyway gondolas (those Ditzler Fleet Finishes! Thanks, Mike Cozart), they remind me of the kind seen on old Vacationland magazine covers. The girl in the Caterpillar has doffed her ostrich-feathered chapeau to somebody (Dad?) down below, while her younger brother dreams of returning to the sea.
 

More Special Event Mini-Posters

It's been fifteen months since the first installment of SPECIAL EVENT MINI-POSTERS! Was it worth the wait? I say yes!

This first example is a bit different, dating from March of 1967; ROHR Family Night. What the heck is Rohr? After some Googling, I am guessing that this was Rohr Steel, located in Pomona, California - about 30 minutes from Disneyland. Or maybe I'm wrong! Participants could enjoy the new It's a Small World, explore New Orleans Square (though Pirates of the Caribbean would not be open until one week later!), and the wonderful Primeval World scene along the Disneyland Railroad, which had debuted on July 1, 1966. Plus Bill Elliott, the Mustangs, the Date Niters, and so much more! I have a "blank" just like the background for this poster, see it HERE.

I shared this one before, and have seen it reposted (without credit of course) all over the place. It's for the October 1970 NAVY NITE, which I just happened to attend as a child! My dad was still in the Navy at the time, working at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard, and going to Navy Nite was one of the highlights of my year. I remember being VERY scared to ride the Haunted Mansion after kids at school told me that "ghosts go right through you". I DON'T WANT THAT! But it was all OK of course. I've seen a few other items from the same time period with Mickey as a ghost, though some have pointed out that it looks like he's wearing a Splash Mountain poncho.

Next is this 1971 mini-poster for North American Rockwell Management Assn. and their FAMILY NIGHT. A mere four dollars gets you unlimited attractions,  music, dancing, and "shows" (perhaps meaning the Tahitian Terrace and Golden Horseshoe, and possibly others?). Such a deal!

September, 1972 was the night of the FAMILY FUN PARTY for the Retired Officer's Association. The price has gone up 25¢, which is outrageous. What am I, made of money? All of the typical goodies are available again, but there is the new "Bear Country", and the "Country Bear Jamboree" too.

Perhaps the recession that was going on in 1973 explains why this '73 poster for Public Employees Night  was printed in black and white. Notice "Sparkie" in the upper left, the mascot for the Orange County Employees Association. The price for attendance was back down to $4.00. 

And finally, here's the December 1974 poster for Sears FAMILY FUN PARTY. Toughskins optional! In spite of the continuing recession, the price is now an astronomical $4.50. But we'll do it for the kids. This is one of the earlier uses of Winnie the Pooh and Tigger. Pooh had been introduced (Disney style) in "Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree" in 1966 to much acclaim. Next was "Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day" in 1968, and as you can see, "Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too!" was released in 1974.

I hope you have enjoyed these Mini-posters!

Skyway Views, July 1972

SO MANY photos were taken by guests while aboard the Skyway! You can see why, really - aerial views are interesting, and there were no distractions (such as other people blocking your view). BUT... now that I view hundreds of those aerials years later, I find myself taking them for granted.

It's July 1972; we're gliding above Fantasyland, with King Arthur's Carrousel down blow, and only glimpses of other attractions, such as "Peter Pan" to the left, and the Fantasyland Theatre to the right. In the distance, the Administration Building, and even further away, Main Street Station.

Next we're gazing out toward the white "city" of It's a Small World - I don't think I ever really think about how massive the façade of that attraction is until I see a picture like this.  I sort of like it this way, without the big gift shop in the way - instead there's a more tasteful shop on the right side of the path.

It's fun to zoom in a bit and make up little stories about various guests. Those four sailors will feel right at home on The Happiest Cruise To Ever Sail 'Round the World. 

Two Knott's Berry Farm Brochures

I was in the mood to share some Knott's Berry Farm photos, until I saw that I had some vintage brochure scans that I'd done nine years ago. It's time to use them! They are variations on a theme.

First is the cover of a 1967 brochure. Coated stock! Color photos! Olde-timey typography! Jams and jellies! It has it all. 200 acres of parking? Is this heaven??

On the back panel we get a brief history of KBF, along with a photo of the family, including Walter and Cordelia. Nice! Daughter Marion, in red, became a key leader in guiding Knott's to its future. There is a mention of a $1 admission fee, I thought that Knott's did not start charging admission until 1968, but I am clearly mistaken, since the tiny date of "10/67" can be seen at the bottom of the brochure.

On the reverse, we see some of the restaurants and shops, as well as features such as the Bird Cage Theatre, Old MacDonald's Farm, and a genuine San Francisco Cable Car. Ding ding!

Next is this "6/72" version of the brochure. No more family photo, which makes me a bit sad. Cordelia would pass two years later, while Walter passed away in December of 1981. Notice that the 200 acre parking was reduced to 150 acres, this was due to the additions of Fiesta Village and the short-lived Gypsy Camp

We may have lost the photo of the family, but we gained some nice color photos of the park, including one featuring John Wayne and his son John Ethan at the debut of the Timber Mountain Log Ride, and a rare look at the Gypsy Camp, as well as the John Wayne Theatre. 

August, 1962 - Here Comes the Monorail!

It's JG's birthday today! Sue B. always remembers. And she sent along a set of vintage birthday photos, just for fun. 

I wish we had more info about these, such as where this party took place. But we can only guess. The paper cups with handles are for warm buttermilk, which I know everyone who reads this blog enjoys on a daily basis. What is that boy holding? It looks like a cross, which means that vampires were probably nearby, and he was taking no chances.

"In many cultures, insects are important source of protein. So I want each of you to try one of the hissing cockroaches from Madagascar". What a mom!

The birthday boy is wearing the coolest coat ever, and he's admiring his chocolate cake - another one with cowboys on the icing, as we saw before. At first I thought that the ball that looks like the planet Jupiter was a bowling ball, but I think it's once of  those bouncy balls that's on a hand-held tether. To the right, what I guess is a "Goofy Ball"?

What the...! The kid to the right is trying to blow out the candles on the cake, and if he succeeds, all of the wishes will be null and void. Never invite him back!

Judging by his expression, the party was a great success! And there's lots of leftover cake, which is never a bad thing. Happy Birthday, JG! And many thanks to Sue for the photos.

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Today's pair of pix could be a little bit sharper, but I can't be too upset at these images of the blue Mark II Monorail rounding the bend and approaching the station at the Disneyland Hotel! Notice the back of the sign for the Hotel, it's those varicolored rectangles. Based on the number of cars parked this far from the main gate, I think this was a very busy summer day.

I would have taken a second photo too, we get an even better look at the Monorail itself. Bubble dome! I love the VW bus, its unassuming exterior hid a ferocious 40 horsepower engine! Hire the kid up the block to airbrush a bikini babe with her pet white tiger on the side panel for maximum cool.
 

Snoozles™ From March 1961

Snoozles! They are just a part of life, and the sooner we accept it, the happier we will be. The first photo could be admired for providing a nice "you are there" feeling, but the little girl's head does not exactly improve the view. Sorry, little girl! By now you'd think that I'd stop missing the Skyway, but I really do still miss it!

Next is this "blah" image, probably intended to show the name of Story Book Land (three separate words) spelled out in greenery, but we also see the exit turnstiles, and a striped trashcan. The snow-capped peaks of Geppetto's Village can just be seen beyond the hillside.

 

Vintage Florida Amusements

You know what I've noticed? People have birthdays. Practically every day is somebody's birthday. I'll pause while you absorb that bit of wisdom. 

OK, have you recovered? Well, today is JB's birthday! And Sue B. knew it, don't you worry. Here's a series of vintage birthday pix for this special occasion. 

Don't have the kid's party in the former dining room, they'll just make a mess. Cake will be dropped on the floor, sodas will be spilled, ice cream will get knocked over. The solution? Put them in the laundry room! If they don't like it they can lump it (whatever that means). 

Those party hats are so stylish that I would wear one in daily life. Why wait for a birthday? The pink dots go with my eyes (yes, I am a white mouse). That kid better not be spitting on the cake - I'd be watching to make sure. 

Time has gone backwards, and the candles that had been extinguished have relit themselves. Obviously Superman caused the planet to reverse its rotation by flying around it really fast! Knock it off, Kal El. I just noticed that the little girl's shirt is made out of a "Twister" game mat.

I am not quite sure what to make of the boy's expression. He's feeling the pain of childbirth, but that's impossible. Maybe he can see that the beautifully-wrapped gift is a book of poetry, or some equally-undesirable item. Notice the cupcake wrappers that contain a selection of pills, what a great idea. The girl is interested only in her cake.

Happy Birthday, JB, and thank you to Sue!

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Here are two random slides from Vintage Florida!

First up, two photos from "Horn's Cars of Yesterday". I guess if your name is "Horn", you are bound to collect cars. According the the Interwebs, The Horn’s collection of cars began as a hobby for  the brothers  (Herbert and Bob Horn). They were based in Fort Dodge, Iowa and were in the farm and school equipment business. They had been collecting old cars and restoring them to showroom condition for years. If they couldn’t find a part for a car, they simply made a new part to fit in its place!

While on the road as salesmen for the equipment company, the brothers often spotted old cars in people’s sheds, back yards or barns. By the early 1950s, their collection of cars was so large that they decided to do something about it.

After visiting Sarasota in the early 1950s, the Horns decided to shift their attention to antique cars exclusively. In March of 1953, “Horn’s Cars of Yesterday” opened for business.

According to a November 3, 1957 article in the Sarasota Herald Tribune, the Horns had more than 70 cars on display in their museum, ranging from the oldest, a 1897 Duryea Buggyaut to the latest addition, a 1948 Lincoln Continental. The collection also includes the 1914 Rolls Royce Town Car used by John Ringling and the Pierce Arrow owned by Mable Ringling. Also included in their collection was a large array of music boxes, ranging from an organ with 176 pipes to an early version of a juke box that was built in the 1870s. Horns’ Cars of Yesterday was an immediate success.

Happily the collection is now part of the Sarasota Classic Car Museum, whose website I used as reference.

It's interesting, Florida really was a popular place for antique car collectors to show off their stuff. We've seen the "James Melton Autorama" (in Hypoluxo!), and the "Carriage Cavalcade" in Silver Springs. I'll bet there were more.  Maybe Bonanza Bill's Jaunty Jalopies? Or (Milton) Frunkle's Flivverville? I made those last two up, but don't you wish you could go to them?
 

Meanwhile, over in St. Augustine, you'd find the exciting and smelly Alligator Farm, full of playful reptiles. It still exists, now called The St. Augustine Alligator Farm and Zoological Park. It is one of Florida's oldest continuously running attractions. The park began in 1893 on St. Augustine Beach as a minor attraction at the end of a railway running through neighboring Anastasia Island. The alligators were added at first to get visitors to buy souvenirs and see the museum there. Soon, the reptiles themselves became the main point of interest.

Gators are so tame and plentiful in Florida that they are still used to pull wagons and buggies to this day.

I hope you have enjoyed your visit to Florida!

Two From the 1950s

There is always something a little bit special about old Disneyland slides from the first year or two of operation. While today's examples are undated, they are likely from 1956 (more on that in a minute). 

I love this first photo of two women, one of whom is dropping a postcard (?) into one of the mailboxes on Main Street. Town Square is practically deserted; I'd guess that it was still early in the year, Christmas decor is no longer on the Emporium, but the lady to the left is prepared for a chilly evening.

This second scan is from a damaged slide, but we get a nice look at the Bertha Mae at  rest near Fowler's Harbor. The Keelboats made their debut on Christmas day in 1955; I don't know if the park didn't operate this attraction in the off-season, or if it hadn't actually opened yet. Or what. But it's a swell photo anyway.

More PINS FROM THE BAG

Listen... I know what you've been really wanting. Not candy, or money, or fame, or even love. What you want is PINS FROM THE BAG! Well, you've come to the right place, folks.

I have quite a few pinback buttons from the 1939/40 New York World's Fair ("The Dawn of a New Day"), but this one is a somewhat recent addition to my collection. 1940 was the 126th anniversary of the bombardment of Fort McHenry by the British Royal Navy, as witnessed by Francis Scott Key. He wrote a song about it! Hey, let's give Baltimore a pat on the back, it will make them so happy.

Next is this cool pin commemorating the centennial of Marshalltown, Iowa. A Century of Success! I hope that guy sowing crops has some Banana Boat sunscreen on(SPF-50 at least), I don't want him to burn. Looking at the Wikipedia page for Marshalltown, it looks like a very nice place to live.

I'm always fond of pinback buttons for vintage comic characters, especially characters that are largely forgotten today. This one, for the Sunday Bulletin, features the freaky likeness of Ozark Ike. Ozark Ike is a newspaper comic strip about dumb but likable Ozark Ike McBatt, a youth from a rural area in the mountains. The strip was created by Rufus A. ("Ray") Gotto while he was serving in the Navy during World War II in Washington, D.C. as an illustrator for Navy instruction manuals. The strip ran from November 12, 1945, to September 14, 1958.

Ozark Ike comic books almost always featured Ike with his enthusiastic girlfriend, Dinah Fatfield, whose family has been involved in a feud with the McBatt clan for several generations (inspired by the famous feud between the Hatfields and the McCoys). I think it's time for a $250 million dollar Ozark Ike movie, with Conan O'Brian in the starring role.

Well, this one is not a pinback button, but it does have pins! It's an unusual celluloid item advertising Kemp and Burpee M'F'G. Co (I've never seen the word "manufacturing" abbreviated quite like that before), and the "Success Spreader", which "fertilizes the Earth". Ordinary sewing pins are are stuck into the rim of this thingamabob, as you can see. You just never know when a pin will come in handy.

Ceresota Flour produced pinback buttons and advertising mirrors in such quantities that they are fairly common. Their ads typically featured this hungry little boy holding a loaf of bread that is almost as big as he is. Pro tip: when sawing away at a loaf of bread, always draw the sharp knife towards your throat; this kid knows!

You have to be of a "certain age" to remember Soupy Sales. I don't really remember ever watching any TV show with Soupy, and yet I was certainly aware of him as a personality. Milton Supman, known professionally as Soupy Sales, was an American comedian, actor, radio-television personality, and jazz aficionado. He was best known for his local and network children's television series, Lunch with Soupy Sales (later titled The Soupy Sales Show) (1953–1966), a series of comedy sketches frequently ending with Sales receiving a pie in the face, which became his trademark. Soupy's two sons, Hunt and Tony, went on to become respected musicians, playing with artists such as Todd Rungren, Iggy Pop, and David Bowie. If you know Iggy's song, "Lust for Life", that's Hunt Sales on drums!

There are many more PINS IN THE BAG!