Category Archives: Blast from the Past

No Longer Available

Posted on March 31, 2022 by Joe

I have some old technical pens that I have been wanting to use, but due to neglect, some of them are fairly crusty and in need of some tender loving care. Back when Koh-I-Noor and Rotring Rapidographs were my illustrative … Continue reading →

Posted in Blast from the Past, Pixels Versus Pigment, Technique | Tagged extinct, Higgins Pen Cleaner, ink, old, soap, technical pens, vintage | 2 Comments

Two Nominees and Her Name Was Lisa

Posted on March 15, 2022 by Joe

Old ads for long gone movie theaters in Philadelphia circa 1980

Posted in Blast from the Past, Philadelphia | Tagged 1980, movies, Philadelphia, theaters | 2 Comments

Getting Out of Dodge for a Day

Posted on February 13, 2022 by Joe

My son and I wanted to take in the latest Spider-Man movie, but we decided a change in venue was in order. We decided to take a short commuter train trip to the township of Narberth in Montgomery County to … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventures in Commuting, Blast from the Past | Tagged Marvel, Montgomery County, movie, Narberth, Pennsylvania, Spider-man | 2 Comments

Eric’s Mark I

Posted on February 10, 2022 by Joe

Eric’s Mark I was one of many movie theaters that was in Center City Philadelphia that are now sadly gone. This is back when images from actual celluloid film was projected on the screen. That meant that the viewer had … Continue reading →

Posted in Blast from the Past, Curious Clutter, Philadelphia | Tagged 1980s, Eric's Mark I, movies, Philadelphia | Leave a comment

Because it was on…

Posted on February 8, 2022 by Joe

Back when I attended The Philadelphia College of Art, the city of Philadelphia was not wired for cable television while the surrounding suburbs had enjoyed the benefits of basic cable and perhaps a pay station like HBO or PRISM for … Continue reading →

Posted in Blast from the Past, What's on TV? | Tagged 1980, 1980s, CBS, crab, crabs, Illustration, Island Claws, monster, PCA, Philadelphia, Philadelphia College of Art | 2 Comments

The Maltese Falcon starring Edward G Robinson?

Posted on February 1, 2022 by Joe

Insomnia drives me to discovery. When I can’t sleep, I usually reach for an iPod Touch that I have loaded up with old time radio programs. The device has a small speaker that I keep low and close to my … Continue reading →

Posted in Blast from the Past, Mystery Matinee | Tagged detective, Edward G Robinson, Laird Cregar, Lux Radio Theatre, old time radio, OTR, Sam Spade, The Maltese Falcon | 2 Comments

Montgomery Ward Catalog 1963

Posted on December 27, 2021 by Tina

Every collage artist’s dream – best Christmas gift ever!

Posted in Blast from the Past, Collage, Illustration | Tagged collage, Montgomery Ward, vintage catalog | 1 Comment

Christmas Tree Ornament Hangers

Posted on November 28, 2021 by Tina

We put our tree up on Saturday, and while rooting through ornament boxes, I came across this vintage ornament hanger box. It was produced by Criterion Bell & Specialty Company established in 1937 in Brooklyn, NY. The graphics are marvelous!

Posted in Blast from the Past, Collecting, Holiday, News | Tagged Criterion Bell & Specialty Company, ornament hanger box, vintage | Leave a comment

Be Kind – Please Rewind

Posted on November 2, 2021 by Joe

Sometimes I have a great notion, and a lot of times I have merely middling notions. It was while pursuing one of these middling notions that I came across a treasure trove!

Posted in Blast from the Past, Movie Matinee | Tagged cassette, VHS, video, video store | 2 Comments

Angry Red Planet

Posted on September 15, 2021 by Joe

Watching trash on a tube TV in the studio a while back. I think this is around the time that television broadcasts went digital and I was obsessed with the station ThisTV.

Posted in Blast from the Past, What's on TV? | Tagged 2009, television, The Angry Red Planet, ThisTV | 2 Comments

The Light at the Edge of the World

Posted on May 13, 2021 by Joe

I’m falling out of love with streaming. I’ve grown weary of a number of television streaming options and have pruned them from my monthly expenses. The free, ad supported streaming platforms occasionally offer a pleasant surprise, but the barrage of … Continue reading →

Posted in Blast from the Past, Stuff Joe Likes, Weird World of the Roku | Leave a comment

SEND MY SELECTIONS ON…

Posted on May 6, 2021 by Joe

Posted in Blast from the Past, Curious Clutter | 2 Comments

WFIL 56

Posted on April 22, 2021 by Joe

Before Philadelphia’s American Broadcast Company affiliate was WPVI it was WFIL, and it had a sister radio station on the AM dial that played a heavy rotation of top forty hits and a whole lot of commercials.

Posted in Blast from the Past, Curious Clutter, Stax o' Wax | 2 Comments

Read this students, QUIETLY!

Posted on January 12, 2021 by Joe

My Weekly Reader from the Spring of 1972. I found this in a crumbling folder of ancient homework and handouts from grade school circa 1972. Teachers would hand these out and make the students read them QUIETLY so they could cadge … Continue reading →

Posted in Blast from the Past, Curious Clutter | Tagged 1972, bicycle, My Weekly Reader, school | 2 Comments

OH BOY!

Posted on January 10, 2021 by Joe

A cartoon I did back when I was around 7 or 8 years old. It was probably drawn while I was splayed out on the floor in front of the television watching Wee Willie Webber. I found it in a … Continue reading →