St. Louis Zoo '68

The St. Louis Zoo is one of my favorite places in the entire world, and it's definitely one of the greatest, most gorgeously designed and meticulously maintained zoos too (I've been to enough of them from coast to coast in the USA to know!) And this year, the STL Zoo celebrates it's amazing 100th Anniversary (1910 - 2010), so what better way is there for me than to tip my hat by blogging about it with highlights from the St. Louis Zoo Album guide published in 1968, (aka: the year I was born.) I'll spare you the bulk of the usual A to Z animal photos, and instead focus on the AEET type fun stuff like the animal show, the train, the map, some fabulous 1904 World's Fair architecture, and of course everyone's favorite mounted gorilla-- "Phil."

For more about the St. Louis Zoo, click HERE!

The St. Louis Zoo Album guide, published by the Zoological Board of Control of the City of STL, and compiled and edited by Hattie Ettinger, 1968.

Shooting's Fun For Everyone

You certainly don't have to be a hunter or even a gun enthusiast to enjoy this wonderfully illustrated rifle shooting pamphlet (for boys and girls) issued by the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute in 1959. Each page is seriously jam packed with important info, safety tips, and fun facts, and occasionally even "Blooey" the half dog / half rifle mascot steps into the action-- leaving you to ponder how such a creature as this could even exist. Also, his bullet-headed buddy "Sammy Shooter" (aka Vinny the Vibrator) makes a few arousing appearences here while obviously taking a much needed breather from his usual, tiresome dildo duties. Okay, enough yappin'-- now go bag ya some pesky varmits!

Happy Halloween!

Karswell Sr. (R.I.P.) and Karswell Jr., circa 1970, wishing you all a super safe and frighteningly fun Halloween!

Mr. and Mrs. J. Evil Scientist

Time for a sampling of spooky silliness from the 1963 issue of Mr. and Mrs. J. Evil Scientist #1. This was a fun "Monster Family" series that deserved more than the all too brief four-issue run it received (see also their comic debut in Hanna-Barbera Band Wagon #3) before eventually being cancelled. And despite what many people think, The J. Evils actually did make a few animated appearences on 60's television in two very memorable episodes of Snagglepuss and Snooper & Blabber.

70's Halloween Greeting Cards

As a kid in the 70's, one thing I could always rely upon was a cool halloween card in the mail from my grandparents (and usually including some money or a stick of Wrigleys tucked inside too!) Here's a memorable selection of some of my favorites-- I even scanned the inside of the cards for you too.

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(This last card came with a mirror glued to the inside... to "paste on your neck!")