Trolley Geeks Galore in Seattle

Vintage trolleys still run in Seattle [stltoday.com]

Magic Mud

 CNN has a great story about the history of Major League Baseball's 'magic mud', the mud that has been exclusively used to break in game balls at both the major league and minor league levels since 1938. Ever since 1920, the year that Ray Chapman became the only MLB player ever killed by a pitch, umpires had been searching for a way enhance the grip on a baseball. Lena Blackburne, a manager for the Philadelphia Athletics, was familiar with the mud on the Delaware River near his home and began using it. Word slowly flowed from team to team until it was the only substance used.

70 years later, this is still the case. Lena Blackburne Rubbing Mud is harvested, packaged and sold each year to all of Major League Baseball. The company is still family-owned and the mud's location on the Delaware River is still a mystery. The owner says that the business only brings in approximately $20,000 a year, but you can't put a price on tradition.

Harvesting baseball's 'magic mud' [cnn.com]

Lena Blackburne Rubbing Mud website

Vintage Gas Station Opens in Oregon

Seven years in the making, a 1959 vintage Texaco gas station has opened in La Grande, Oregon. The project had been the dream of local pastor Father Frank Albrecht. The station includes vintage-style gas pumps, attendants wearing old-fashioned uniforms who operate the pump and wash your windows and more memorabilia than you can shake a dipstick at.


Gasoline flowing at vintage Texaco station [La Grande Observer]

VIntage Movie Poster Sleuthing

Vintage movie posters can be a fun thing to collect, a great way to connect to some of your favorite films and a unique way to decorate. What do you need to know before you begin to look for the right poster? The LA Times posted some tips from noted film noir historian Thomas Boghossian, and it is a great starting point for anyone looking to begin a collection. Below are a few more links.

Tips on collecting vintage movie posters [LA Times]
An Interview With Vintage Movie Poster Collector Sam Sorowitz [The Collectors Weekly]
How to Collect Vintage Movie Posters [eHow]
Guide to Collecting Movie Posters [about.com]

The Evolution of the Haunted House

 

With the Halloween season upon us, today's edition of the Chicago Tribune features an article about Amling's Haunted House, a seasonal tradition in Melrose Park, IL that began in 1950. The Amling family, locally known for their flower and garden stores, opened the haunted house's doors 60 years ago, and it is believed to be the industry's pioneer.

Halloween was far less commercial at the time, and you were more likely to be frightened by a gorilla costume than something cross-promoting the latest horror film. Even though Amling's flower shops changed ownership, the haunted house was able to stay open until the late 70s or early 80s.

What ever happened to...Amling's Haunted House in Melrose Park - Chicago Tribune

It's Alive: Polaroid Eulogies Premature

Days after the final set of Polaroid film passed its use-by-date, word has come out that a Chinese company has purchased the licensing rights and plans on relaunching versions of Polaroid cameras and film in 2010.

Polaroid filed for bankruptcy in 2008 and quit producing Polaroid film, thus beginning the end of the Polaroid camera. But public outcry was palpable, and groups such was The Impossible Project made enough noise to evidently change things. So, fear not, young photog, your pictures can still be instant and retro.

Back by popular demand: Polaroid Cameras - Real Business

Welcome!

Welcome to the Preserve Vintage Blog! What will we be covering? Some yet-to-be-determined cross-section of all things old and beautiful; pop culture items that deserve another listen or look; vintage fashion trends worth highlighting and faux pas that are worth another laugh; and anything that piques our interest along the way.