Queen of Vintage vol.2

A small batch of Rin Tanaka's "Queen of Vintage volume 2" arrived in our shop. It features Kathleen Schaaf - owner of vintage fashion store Meow - as curator and shows an incredible selection of her collection of vintage clothing. Her store will celebrate its 25th birthday this year.

The book includes a variety of overalls, swimwear, western, sports and casual wear. The pictures are great. This book is potentially dangerous if you have an Ebay addiction. Be warned. We only have a few copies, so don't wait if you want to add this to your collection. Available at Red Wing Shoes Amsterdam and Tenue de Nimes for €75,- euro.

United States Of Americana

No one can deny the big trend in fashion referred to as "heritage" or "Americana". This book by Kurt B. Reighly provides background information on the trend. Not only fashion but also music, grooming, crafts and entertainment. Basically all fields of American culture which are becoming more and more popular lately. The book is an easy read and I find it very entertaining. Illustrations by Aaron Bagley. Available at Tenue de Nimes for €12,95.

Language of the Robe

In this book Robert Kapoun, a collector and expert, takes you on a tour through the history of the Indian trade blanket. Language of the Robe shares a lot of background information. It includes nice photography and illustrations. The word "blanket" almost sounds inferior when you read the book. Not only a good read for collectors, but it can also be a source of inspiration for graphic artists and photographers.

Build your own cabin

Perhaps you were inspired by our post Alone in the Wilderness and now find yourself wanting to build your own cabin. All you need is a piece of land and the book The Wilderness Cabin by Calvin Rutstrum. It was a great find by blog Wildwood in a box of discarded literature. The book includes information about materials, the necessary tools and construction methods. The drawings are made by wildlife artist Les Kouba. The chance is I am ever going to build a wooden cabin myself are slim, but it is cool to read about "How it's Made".

Cirkut Camera

Everyone probably knows the typical character of a photographer in comic books. Especially the ones in the USA in the old days. Dressed in a distinguished manner, and burdened with a very big, heavy camera. One of the cameras that fits this image perfectly is the Cirkut camera.

This special camera was developed in the early twentieth century. It was very big, heavy and had the intriguing capability of capturing large groups of people at once. The large panoramic shots are widely known, but I never asked myself how these were made.

Motorcycles, around 1915

The camera was mounted on a tripod and turned from left to right very slowly. With the same speed a light sensitive film was pulled behind the lens and automatically rolled up in a internal container. The people being photographed would be lined up in a half circle. This was to make sure the distance between the camera and subjects would be the same. If not, the people on the sides would be out of focus.

Asheville Fire Department - 1994 !!

Among collectors a special type of photo is popular. It is a so-called double-ender that features one of its subjects twice. How? If you were photographed on the left, ran around the camera while it was turning and took a pose on the right side of the picture, you would be visible twice in the same photo. Nice practical joke if you ask me. You can moon and look eminent on the same photo!

A very good collection is bound in the book America By The Yard: Cirkut Camera. We have a few copies in the shop. Come and have look..

Alone Together by David Graham

While still in the mood for green hills, big cars and American breakfast - I received a tip about the work of David Graham. This photographer and professor "seeks out subjects which celebrate our singular freedom of expression in colorful roadside attractions and general oddities". Could not describe this any better. Hey has published a series of books, from which Alone Together published by Bonded Books in 2007 appeals to us most.

It visually tells us the story of the Kellan's. Just after WWII, they left civilization and lived together in a small cabin for decades. Close to nature and each other. Years after they left Graham portrayed their cabin and its surroundings as if the Kellan's just went out for a walk. Available here.

American Flags

If you know a bit about the history of the "Old Glory", it is not hard to comprehend that Americans are proud of their flag. This book provides some nice background info.