Tuesday, May 17, 2011

For the Vintage Sleuth!

Established in the early 1900's, detective magazines, were some of the most widely read American magazines of the time.  
The 1930s, was the so-called Golden Age of the detective magazine when the major crimes figures of the Depression, like Bonnie and Clyde and the Barker gang roamed the Midwest. Supposedly, these bandits were themselves avid readers of the genre. As television grew into our main source of crime news, detective magazines went into decline and today are virtually extinct. Here's just a few from our store.  

Inside Detective 1958

Startling Detective 1943

Inside Detective 1958
Vintage, retro, campy...what's not to like?

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Mad for Mad Magazine!


Founded in 1952 by editor Harvey Kurtzman and publisher William Gaines, Mad Magazine's claim to fame is its impact on the entire cultural landscape of the 20th century, satirizing all aspects of life and pop culture, politics, entertainment, and public figures, Its mascot, Alfred E. Neuman, is typically the star of the magazine's cover, with his face often replacing a celebrity or character that is lampooned within the issue. With a silly grin, his well-familiar trademark phrase is "What, me worry?"


                                                                                        



Mad Magazine influenced three generations of humorists and easily provoked critical thinking about everything and anyone - politicians, the media, advertising, cartoon characters, you name it. In 2007, Robert Boyd of The Los Angeles Times wrote, "All I really need to know I learned from Mad magazine", going on to assert: "Plenty of it went right over my head, of course, but that's part of what made it attractive and valuable. Things that go over your head can make you raise your head a little higher. The magazine instilled in me a habit of mind, a way of thinking about a world rife with false fronts, small print, deceptive ads, booby traps, treacherous language, double standards, half truths, subliminal pitches and product placements; it warned me that I was often merely the target of people who claimed to be my friend; it prompted me to mistrust authority, to read between the lines, to take nothing at face value, to see patterns in the often shoddy construction of movies and TV shows; and it got me to think critically in a way that few actual humans charged with my care ever bothered to."



Mad Magazine, a piece of history…worth remembering and collecting. You can find more in our Etsy store.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Happy Cinco de Mayo!


When you're done celebrating - repurpose your empties! They make great upcycled vases!

We all know that today is really just a nice excuse to drink Coronas and Margaritas, still there is some real history to this day. The 5th of May commemorates the victory of the Mexican militia over the French army at The Battle Of Puebla in 1862. Although it is not Mexico's Independence Day, as many believe, this day is celebrated throughout the state of Puebla, Mexico and most certainly throughout The United States as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride, and of course a good reason to indulge a bit!

Meanwhile, back to those Coronas and Margaritas. Try these cool recipes, we just had to share, from Bakers Royale...

Strawberry Margarita Popsicles


Corona Beer Popsicles

As you go out there to celebrate…have fun & be safe!