Friday, July 22, 2016

Two Beauties From the 1960's

Today I have two undated photos, though they are definitely from the 1960's. In my opinion, both are pretty sweet!

Like this one, taken just inside the gates as a mother and small daughter pose in front of Main Street Station. The colors really "pop"; look at mom's purple skirt! The train station's clock tells us that it is just past noon, and while there is some haze, the sun is just managing to cut through it. Notice the ladders near the "Disneyland" sign - - roof repairs, I suppose? 

Of course I can't ignore those incredible attraction posters! So wonderful; I consider the posters to be one of the most graphically beautiful Disneyland items ever produced. To the left is the über rare Santa Fe & Disneyland RR poster (aka the "Main Street Station" poster) - one that I covet, though I am lucky to be able to see one regularly at a friend's home. The lilac-pink background is so unusual, and yet it works.


This is not from the same group as photo #1, but it is also from the 1960's, and is cool and unusual. The roof of the red automobile shows that rains had recently passed through, but it looks like we won't need our umbrellas. I hope. Just beneath the Monorail track we can see the what I believe is the C.K. Holliday. A few of the taller Main Street structures are visible, as well as the ubiquitous Matterhorn.


13 comments:

Nanook said...

Major-

That first image is pretty swell. The inadvertent color "design" almost appears as if Natalie Kalmus herself, had a hand in choosing the outfits.

And I'm thinking the white car directly behind the 'red-roofed' car is a 1962 Chevrolet.

Thanks, Major.

Steve DeGaetano said...

That first one is so colorful! I love it.

The locomotive in the second photos is the Fred Gurley, pulling the Excursion cars - the train set she was initially designed to pull.

Chuck said...

I'll take one of each poster in the first photo, please. I'll pick them up on the way out of the Park. If one of you guys could distract the security hosts while I'm rolling them up, I'd be much obliged.

Steve just beat me to the punch on the Gurley ID. I'm pleased to note that I'm in synch with the resident expert - without having to consult his book first. :-)

Nanook, I'm surprised at you. You haven't identified the make and model of the red car yet. You're slipping. ;-)

DrGoat said...

I'm with Chuck. Posters are beautiful. Really like the ladders going up onto the station too.

Monkey Cage Kurt said...

Absolutely gorgeous! This photographer had a very good sense of coolness. I just want to be RIGHT THERE right now. The moment I saw that first pic I thought that’s one the Major’s going to really like, poster hound that he is.

Nanook, did you ever ID the car cover sports car from the other day? Don’t let down your fans.

Nice stuff! Thank you, Major!

Unknown said...

That first one is a beauty indeed, Major! It's been years since I've seen a bona fide Atraction poster in the flesh. I guess I need to get out to a Disneyana convention one of these days. The last one I saw was my brother's 20,000 Leagues poster. It has since been sold, more's the pity...

Steve DeGaetano said...

Nanook, I'm curious what that van is in the second photo, center-right? You can just make out the roof.

K. Martinez said...

I can almost feel the air as if I'm there when I look at the first image. I can't wait to pass through one of the tunnels/portals to begin the adventures that await inside. Thanks, Major.

Nanook said...

@ M C K-

Just go back and check out my second comment...

@ Steve DeGaetano-

It sure looks like a Volkswagen Bus - or Van - or Microbus, whatever you want to call it.

Major Pepperidge said...

Nanook, I had to look up “Natalie Kalmus”, since my knowledge of the history of Technicolor is lacking!

Steve DeGaetano, the dumb thing is that right now, if I look at it, I can clearly see that there is no balloon stack. I guess that’s what I get for writing posts in a hurry….

Chuck, poster prices vacillate wildly, but those 10 could easily fetch $30,000 or more!

DrGoat, I will try to find more photos with ladders in them for you. ;-)

Monkey Cage Kurt, I agree, there is something about both of these photos that is particularly appealing compared to the usual views. Though I wonder why, in photo #2, the photographer didn’t pan just a bit to the right before taking the picture.

Patrick Devlin, seeing the posters up close really is a different experience; the sheer size of them makes a real impact. Not to mention the brilliant mid-century designs.

Steve DeGaetano, I guess Nanook is busy today!

K. Martinez, just imagine being able to step into that first photo! This was truly “Walt’s Disneyland” when he and his team were firing on all cylinders.

Major Pepperidge said...

Nanook, as I was typing my comment a moment ago, I thought, "I'll bet he comments about the vehicle in just a minute!".

Anonymous said...

Boy, that second photo, you can see the Matterhorn from outside the berm. Bad show!! ;)

DrGoat said...

Can't get enough ladder pics. Runs in the family.