Category Archives: books

Found on EBay – A. Victor Segno

  A. Victor Segno sends out a success wave. Note the beautiful hair. Isn’t this great? A. Victor Segno, one of my favorite Los Angeles con men who sent out “success waves” for $1 a month, had his book on … Continue reading

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Joseph Wambaugh on the ‘Onion Field’ [Updated]

Photograph by Don Cormier / Los Angeles Times March 11, 1963: Jimmy Lee Smith returns to the crime scene to reenact the “Onion Field” killing. From left, Sgt. Danny Galindo as Officer Karl Hettinger;  Sgt. G.H. Bates as Officer Ian … Continue reading

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

  Jan. 26, 1964: Hedda Hopper’s profile of Evadne Baker was far more interesting than I expected. A quick check of imdb reveals that she died Jan. 17, 1995 … but wait. She was born Nov. 27, 1897? That would … Continue reading

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Diana Barrymore Dies at 38

  Nice headline – does that make the nun a college girl? And I guess Kennedy isn’t a headline name yet. Jan. 26, 1960: The trial of Dr. R. Bernard Finch and Carole Tregoff in the killing of Barbara Jean … Continue reading

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The ‘Onion Field’ Remembered [Update]

Photograph by Don Cormier / Los Angeles Times March 11, 1963: Jimmy Lee Smith returns to the crime scene to reenact the “Onion Field” killing with Sgt. G.H. Bates, left, as Officer Ian Campbell; Sgt. Danny Galindo, center, as Officer … Continue reading

Posted in #courts, 1963, books, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Photography | 7 Comments

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

     Jan. 22, 1960 – Hedda Hopper says: “Jerry Wald's finally got his "Return to Peyton Place" players all set: Joan Crawford plays the mother-in-law who plans the murder of her daughter-in-law, Carol Lynley, who gets wind of the … Continue reading

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‘Onion Field’ Killing Revisited

March 13, 1963, Jimmy Lee Smith reenacts the killing of Officer  Ian Campbell. March 12, 1963:  "Ex-convict Jimmy Lee Smith stood in a Kern County onion field Monday and acted out his version of how an unarmed policeman was slain … Continue reading

Posted in #courts, books, Homicide, LAPD | 2 Comments

Huntington and Folger Compete for Rare Books

  Jan. 19, 1920: “When it was announced that Mr. Christie Miller had consigned a portion of his collection of early English literature to Sotheby's in London for sale at public vendue, the whole book-collecting fraternity pricked up its ears, … Continue reading

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South Pasadena Author Dies

  Jan. 18, 1910: The Times publishes an obituary on author Margaret Collier Graham of South Pasadena. Editions of her books may be found at bookfinder.com. Scans of her books are also available at archive.org.

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Eisenhower Demurs on Endorsing Nixon

On the frontiers of medicine … Above, a news analysis of President Eisenhower’s refusal to make a formal endorsement of Vice President Richard Nixon in the presidential race. Below, Eisenhower’s comments from the Jan. 14, 1960, Times. The Times announces … Continue reading

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Library May Remove Books on Making Liquor

  William C. De Mille’s “The Tree of Knowledge” and Fatty Arbuckle’s “The Garage” are at the Million Dollar Theatre.   Jan. 16, 1920: With the advent of Prohibition, the library board of directors will discuss removing all books that … Continue reading

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Steve Hodel to Mark Anniversary of Black Dahlia Killing

  Steve Hodel, whose father, Dr. George Hodel, has been turned into a serial killer franchise, will be appearing at the Los Angeles Police Historical Society Museum on Jan. 15, the 63rd anniversary of the killing of Elizabeth Short, nicknamed … Continue reading

Posted in books, Homicide, LAPD | 3 Comments

Suspect Held in Girl’s Abduction, Killing

Art Buchwald talks to Gregory Corso on the rise of the Beats. "This is going to be a great age," Corso says. "I can feel it. If we can only get some beatniks in the armies of the world we … Continue reading

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Teachings of Mazdaznan Cult Exposed

“When a Feller Needs a Friend,” by Clare Briggs. Jan. 5, 1920: The Times quotes the writings of Otoman Zar-Adusht Hanish: "To raise one's vibration and interest it is well to speak sentences on one breath, such as inhaling through … Continue reading

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Jan. 2, 1960

  Mash Notes and Comments "Dec. 22, 1959       "to Paul Coats,     "Paul I am enclosing a sixty dollar money order I wrote out to myself which I want you to hold for me.  My old girl friend of … Continue reading

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Matt Weinstock, Dec. 22, 1959

  World Refugee Year     As she sorted out her memories on her return from a pleasure trip around the world many months ago, actress Marsha Hunt found herself deeply troubled by recollection of endless hordes of refugees in Hong … Continue reading

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Christmas 1608

  "The General Historie of Virginia, New England and the Summer Islands," on display at the Huntington Library. "Sleeping in his boat, accidentallie one fired his powder bag, which tore the flesh from his body and thighes, nine or ten … Continue reading

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Book Store Owners Arrested for Selling Radical Literature

“Oh, Man!” by Clare Briggs.   Unfortunately, Google maps street view is a little broken at the moment. The area of the Red International Book Shop, 508 S. Maple, is here. Dec. 13, 1919: The Times publishes three stories about … Continue reading

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Dime Novels Blamed in Death of Teenager

  Dec. 5, 1909: Claude Williams, 16, of Cannelton, Ind., kills 13-year-old James Hall and escapes to Kentucky. Williams is a reader of dime novels.

Posted in books, Homicide | 1 Comment

Found on EBay – Duesenberg

What is described as an original manual for a Duesenberg Model J has been listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $1,200. A little pricier than the set of eight pistons, with bidding that started at $100. Then again, a lot … Continue reading

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