Category Archives: books

A. Victor Segno — “How to Live 100 Years”

Posted on December 7, 2008 by lmharnisch

“You who desire to live 100 years and retain the characteristics of youth must not allow your head to become bald…. Refuse to make yourself a slave to a hat. A hat should be worn only when absolutely necessary, and … Continue reading →

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Found on EBay — Black Mask magazine

Posted on December 6, 2008 by lmharnisch

The English edition of the March 1936 issue of Black Mask has turned up on EBay. This issue features Raymond Chandler’s "The Man Who Liked Dogs." It’s listed as Buy It Now for $299. On the other hand, the e-text … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, books, Downtown, Hollywood, LAPD | 1 Comment

Retro holiday gift suggestion

Posted on December 6, 2008 by lmharnisch

It’s Christmas morning. Your loved one reaches under the tree for that carefully wrapped package. But what’s this? Could it be? Yes, it’s Col. Sanders’ FBI file! Just what they’ve always wanted! And it can be yours courtesy of the … Continue reading →

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Found on EBay — Batchelder book

Posted on December 5, 2008 by lmharnisch

"The Principles of Design" by Ernest A. Batchelder of Pasadena is listed on EBay with a Buy It Now price of $95. Which you could do. Or you could buy it via bookfinder.com for $11.50. On the other hand, Google … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, art and artists, books, Real Estate | 1 Comment

Voices — Forrest J. Ackerman, 1916 – 2008

Posted on December 5, 2008 by lmharnisch

Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times THE TRUE BELIEVER: “I felt that the primary authors of science fiction were opening my eyes … to a better and more fascinating world,” says Forrest J Ackerman of the genre he has championed. … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Film, Hollywood, Science | 26 Comments

Retro holiday gift suggestion

Posted on December 4, 2008 by lmharnisch

The Parker T-Ball Jotter, 1957 Newspapers, magazines and websites are full of holiday gift suggestions. But frankly, in this economy, I can’t in good conscience recommend spending lots of money. (True, I may post pricey items from EBay, but I … Continue reading →

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Remakes of science fiction classics

Posted on December 4, 2008 by lmharnisch

Check out what my blog colleague Geoff Boucher has to say on Hero Complex: Hollywood, Back to the Future: Top filmmakers have already dipped into the sci-fi vault for 21st century remakes of “The War of the Worlds,” “The Planet … Continue reading →

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Found on EBay — Black Mask magazine

Posted on December 2, 2008 by lmharnisch

A copy of the May 1943 issue of Black Mask magazine has turned up on EBay. Bidding has started at $50, about average for an issue of this vintage. Note that UCLA Special Collections has a nearly complete collection of … Continue reading →

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A. Victor Segno — “How to Live 100 Years”

Posted on November 30, 2008 by lmharnisch

“It is best to have two sets of underwear and alternate them, wearing them one day at a time, allowing the other set to air for 24 hours. If possible hang them in the sunshine for it will purify them … Continue reading →

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History — San Luis Obispo

Posted on November 29, 2008 by lmharnisch

San Luis Obispo County Tribune Here’s a nice discovery: David Middlecamp at the San Luis Obispo County Tribune has been putting together a history blog, Photos From the Vault. Here’s a cropped version of a 1959 photo showing a gas … Continue reading →

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Found on EBay — One Magazine

Posted on November 28, 2008 by lmharnisch

Here’s a February 1955 issue of One Magazine, published in Los Angeles, listed on EBay for $9.99. One Magazine began in 1953 and was declared obscene by the Postal Service, resulting in a landmark 1st Amendment ruling.

Posted in #gays and lesbians, art and artists, books | 1 Comment

A. Victor Segno — “How to Live 100 Years”

Posted on November 23, 2008 by lmharnisch

“Undergarments worn during the day should never be worn at night. Remove your undergarments and hang them where they will become thoroughly aired before morning. Do not allow them to remain in the room you sleep in for you must … Continue reading →

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Writer arrested for threatening wife with butcher knife, November 21 1958

Posted on November 21, 2008 by lmharnisch

          "Suddenly it seemed the whole panorama of his life was a race and he was running last…. There was something in him that had to come out. He had to find a way to get … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, books, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, LAPD | 1 Comment

A. Victor Segno — “How to Live 100 Years”

Posted on November 16, 2008 by lmharnisch

"The proper selection of underwear is of great importance. Some people advocate the use of woolen the year round while others think only cotton should be worn. In my experience I have found that there are objections to both." –A. … Continue reading →

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Vintage Children’s books — Bullock’s Wilshire, 1929

Posted on November 15, 2008 by lmharnisch

J. Paget-Fredericks’ "Miss Pert’s Christmas Tree," 1929. Here’s someone’s Christmas present from Bullock’s Wilshire, listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $19.99. A companion book sold by Bullock’s Wilshire, Paget-Fredericks’ "Green Pipes," is also listed for $17.99.

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Our rural past — farming in Torrance

Posted on November 15, 2008 by lmharnisch

By Russ Parsons You would hardly know it today, when South Bay towns like Torrance and Gardena seem composed of little but suburbs and strip malls, but it wasn’t so long ago that this broad, flat plain included some of … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, books, Food and Drink, Real Estate | 2 Comments

A. Victor Segno — “How to Live 100 Years”

Posted on November 9, 2008 by lmharnisch

How to Live 100 Years, by A. Victor Segno, Los Angeles, 1903: Heavy skirts and long trains worn on the streets are especially unhealthful. Continue reading →

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Black Dahlia

Posted on November 7, 2008 by lmharnisch

Steve Hodel’s "Black Dahlia Avenger," inscribed to James Ellroy, as listed on EBay for $19.99, in 2006. Steve Hodel is bringing his "Black Dahlia Avenger" presentation to the South Pasadena Public Library at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 7, 2008, … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, books, City Hall, Coming Attractions, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD | 3 Comments

Famous Monsters of Filmland

Posted on November 6, 2008 by lmharnisch

Photograph by Jack Carrick / Los Angeles Times Forrest J. Ackerman, 1969 Geoff Boucher writes: This is the 50th anniversary of the founding of "Famous Monsters of Filmland" by Forrest J. Ackerman, a man who almost single-handedly shaped the very … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, books, Film, Hollywood | 2 Comments

Voices — Michael Crichton, 1942 – 2008

Posted on November 5, 2008 by lmharnisch

Photograph by Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times Author Michael Crichton in Santa Monica in 2002 Michael Crichton ‘Rising Sun’ Author Taps Darkest Fears of America’s Psyche Sunday July 5, 1992 By T. Jefferson Parker, T. Jefferson Parker’s most recent … Continue reading →

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