Passion Meter

Here's something I photographed back in February, and then promptly forgot to post for Valentine's Day-- duhh! The Passion Meter! Yep, no matter what month we're in, it's always time to find out how you stand on the passion scale. We have a cute 70's illustrated couple on the box lid eyeing one another as if they already know how they're going to rate. Remove the lid and there they are again in a much more colorfully designed setting, which also now includes the "passion meter" itself! Who among you will find out the awful truth, or will it be good news? Are you frigid and corpeslike? Or are you coming on strong ZOWIE! Simply place your thumb on the meter bulb and see what heights (or depths) your passion takes you! Headshops, tourist traps, truck stops, and Spencer's backrooms everywhere were full of fun gag gifts like this back in the day, and I'm just glad people actually hung onto them so we can still laugh and be titillated this way in 2025!

Summer Sales Twister '65

Digging through a stack of old newspapers last week and found this bitchin' Special Advertising Section supplimental for Chrysler's '65 "Summer Sales Twister." The cars from this era were indeed awesome, but boy oh boy, for me it's all about the fun bits of assorted bikini beach bingo key art sprinkled about on every page --I seriously lived for this kind of stuff as a kid. Everyone's so happy and totally dancin' to the tune of all those swingin' deals to be found --you just know these twistin' teens immediately pealed outta Malibu CA and drove thousands of miles to Allied Motor Sales in Jacksonville IL just to get in on all of those super duper savings! Hmmm, I'm really wondering now what The Twist would sound like performed on a banjo anyway? 

Gone But Not Forgotten

On April 5th, 1896, Kjersti Anderson passed away at the age of 72 years, 10 days old. As was the custom in those days before readily available photography, a beautifully framed, personalized mourning memorial lithograph was created in her honor featuring an array of illustrated mourning symbols, ie: the dove representing peace, an hourglass signifying fleeting time, and funerary floral arrangements. At a whopping 28" x 16.5", these magnificent prints were often embellished with hand-painted details and personalized inscriptions. Mourning art of this type was a popular way to commemorate the "Gone But Not Forgotten" dead during an era of lower life expectancy, and I couldn't be more pleased with the stunning example I was able to acquire earlier this afternoon for my personal collection. Those interested in the unusual name of "Kjersti" can find out more about the origin and meaning by CLICKING HERE as well.

Cupid's Grill

It's April Fool's Day everyone, so how about a vintage Valentine? Now I know the holiday isn't accurate, but the sentiment here certainly feels like some perplexing prank, --a tempt taste trick to get those tongue buds a'tantalized in all the wrong ways possible! I mean, did this person really season-up and then stew-brew their ripped-out heart for someone??!! What else does this macabre menu hold for our significant other? Brains for breakfast? Afternoon appendix appetizer? Semimembranosus for supper? Don't answer that-- time's up, and order's up too!