
—Donna Reed (born Donna Belle Mullenger; 1921 – 1986)

The Kitchen at Smestad, 1903-1904
oil on canvas: 65 X 95 cm


Rolex Day Date 228206 Platinum Blue Dial Roman Numeral 40MM 2020 (37116). Rolex 228206 Day Date Platinum 40mm, platinum case with a platinum President bracelet, automatic Rolex caliber 3255 movement, quickset day and date function, 70-hour power reserve, COSC, ice blue glacier dial with quadrant motif and blue Roman numeral hour markers, sapphire crystal, screw down crown, size 40mm, like new with box and papers dated 2020. $66,500 at The European Watch Company.


“Bluebird” Radio, Model No. 566
designed circa 1934
Produced by Sparton Corporation, Jackson, Michigan
Mirrored glass, chromium-plated metal, fabric, painted wood
14¼ x 14½ x 7 in.

—Merle Oberon (born Estelle Merle O’Brien Thompson; 1911 – 1979)

(Germany, 1497 – 1543)
Portrait of the Merchant George Gisze, 1532
oil on oak panel: 96.4 X 85.7 cm.



Winter #1
2021

Ripe Cheese, New York, 1992

—Lauren Bacall (born Betty Joan Perske; 1924 – 2014)

School Studies, 1944
oil on canvas: 24 1/8 X 30 3/16 inches.

Bulldog Watch, 1969





That house in WW2 probably would have been demolished by the firebombing in WW2, but still, the stupidity…
We had locally a grand movie theater from the 20s, the Alhambra…not like the old movie palaces (which, if you are evah up in Oakland Robert try to get a tour of the Paramount!) – but anyway if was the 70s, I think, and Safeway wanted to demolish it and put a supermarket.
Safeway won.
https://www.capradio.org/news/insight/2018/06/01/insight-060118d/
Livia personifies cuteness! The dress is perfect with the pose!
Drysdale certainly had some innovative shots. I’d love to know about the hippo in the house.
That’s with the $66,000 Rolex. Is it the face? That’s what I find perplexing about collectors. I guess for so many its uniqueness and not cost in the relationship.
I had to send my Rolex back to this high-end jeweler because it stopped in the middle of the day. Amd one of the sales ladies telling me you’re supposed to wind it every morning.
Oyster perpetual? Any of you Rolex users ever hear of that?
They’re supposed to look it over but I’m sure it’s at the end of the list. They’ve had it three weeks now. Plus the five they just had it to clean it.
I love the Donna Reed quote. For that matter Lauren Bacall who if I remember correctly married Humphrey Bogart at age 19.
It was a Hollywood marriage you would think it wouldn’t last but it sure did
Three smart quotes from three smart ladies, and not one of them tainted by the smell of either a giant or a publicist.
I’ll be another vote for Li via’s dress. I spent the last weekend with my grandkids, a long drive but worth it. I also agree about the two paintings. Have a lovely weekend.
I agree with Prophet Joe – that “Alice” dress on Livia is extremely cute.
I don’t know that I’ve ever seen any of John Drysdale’s photographs, but he certainly seems to have a great sense of humor.
That Bacall quote reminds me of the famous “sophomore slump” a lot of artists go through. Even if your first work isn’t a success, trying to follow it up can be frustrating and even paralyzing. It must be much worse if your first debut is a roaring success.
I wouldn’t mind hopping into that Autocamper and taking a drive. Frankly, I wouldn’t mind hopping back into 1918!
A lovely weekend to you and yours, Robert.
Nice post this week, Robert. I like the 3 women you feature: Reed, Oberon, and Becall all had a strength to them, yet there was a soft, feminine side too.
I don’t know how artist, such as Jorde or Holbein, use a brush to create something so realistic. It really awes me.
The Rolex is a piece of art, but if I’m spending $66K+ on a watch, it’s not going to have that quadrant motif design.
I love the car and the Mercury train designs. I also like Teague’s Bluebird radio design, although I’m surprised it is made of polished glass. I would have expected something made in this period to be Bakelite, Catalin, or Micarta.
I like the Hamburg house and although I’m sad it was torn down, I can imagine a 400 year old house *might* be lacking structural integrity, let alone some amenities. I wonder about the house and it’s “life”. I notice the hoist on the 4th floor.
Normally, I adore Rick’s photos, but this week I am ready for all vestiges of winter to be gone! I want Spring and Summer!
As for the Penn photo. . . eww.
Have a meaningful Shabbat. I love her Alice dress.
You think I don’t want this to be over? (By “what,” precisely, there’s actually a longer than usual list this year.) And hey – I live in Canada. I can’t be sure that the snow’s gone until May!
It’s just heated brie. Good stuff!