“Forfeits,” from J. & L. Randall, Ltd., in England, offered activities for party guests.  The art is snappy, and the red and green color scheme is attractive; but I can’t imagine that some of the suggestions would turn out well. (Posted by Doug Skinner)

[Read more →]

John Keel’s birthday is March 25; to mark the occasion, Anthony Matt and Doug Skinner will chat about his life and work on “In Other News,” hosted by Geoff Brady on WBAI, on Monday, March 28, at 10 pm.  WBAI is at 99.5 FM in NYC, or at wbai.org.  For more on John Keel, please […]

[Read more →]

Glen Morley (1912-1996) had a busy career as a composer, conductor, and arranger, particularly in Canadian broadcasting.  In the ’50s, he worked for the Rochester Philharmonic as ‘cellist and music librarian; in his younger years he also worked as a cartographer and newspaper cartoonist. Throughout his life, he produced a series of cartoons about music, […]

[Read more →]

We have another “Old Maid” deck, old, worn, and incomplete.  It features imitations of comic strip characters, such as this approximation of Buster Brown.  Other personalities include Old Foxy (Foxy Grandpa) and Katz’s Kid (Katzenjammer Kids).  The Old Maid seems peevish in their company, but she does have a nice hat. (Posted by Doug Skinner)

[Read more →]

transparent venetian blinds As finance and communication become exclusively digital, two unexpected casualties: stamps and coins. ice in the shape of flames suits with two pairs of pants; shirts with three sleeves? smorgasmortgage Why plastic wood, but no wooden plastic? a globe aquarium, with opaque land and clear oceans, so tiny fish will seem like […]

[Read more →]

“ABC Educational Cards” was published by Ed-U-Cards in 1956.  The deck contained both number and letter cards, all in this breezy, colorful style. (Posted by Doug Skinner)

[Read more →]

Doug Skinner will be performing at the Fabulous Jalopy Theatre, in Brooklyn, on March 12 at 9 pm.  I’ll sing mostly Skinner songs, with perhaps a couple of covers.  I’ll be on uke and cuatro; David Gold will join me on viola. I’ve asked the incomparable Brian Dewan to share the evening with me.  He’ll […]

[Read more →]