Grand Army Of The Republic Graveside Rose Petal Ceremony Reenactment For James S. Stratton

I traveled to Mullica Hill, New Jersey once again.  Since it was too dark to make a decent video last time, I went back to the grave of Lieutenant James S. Stratton.  I briefly reenacted a nineteenth century sprinkling of rose petals on the grave of Lieutenant Stratton.


 

The 150th Anniversary Of The Death Of Lieutenant James S. Stratton In The Second Battle Of Ream's Station

My Friends: Today is August 25, 2014.  The American Civil War Sesquicentennial continues rather somberly for, on this day, 150 years ago, Union Army Lieutenant James S. Stratton was killed in The Second Battle Of Ream's Station in Virginia.  James Stratton was born on December 11, 1843 and fell on August 25, 1864.  He was a mere one score or 20 years of age.  I traveled to Mullica Hill, New Jersey to visit his grave and pay tribute.  The rose is part of the nineteenth century Grand Army Of The Republic tradition of sprinkling rose petals on the graves of the fallen.

Caterpillar On The Move July 19, 2014

I saw a bunch of caterpillars walking around today so I thought to film one.  I have not seen this many caterpillars in my area since the 1980s.  I am not sure why there is such a huge increase in the number of them this year.  Note: The creature in this video was not harmed ... he/she just went along his/her merry way after I stopped recording.

Fourth Of July Patrol By The New York Military Band 1914 Blue Amberol Cylinder Record

Today, I have for you a very, very special and apropos record.  It is July 4, 2014, and this Edison cylinder record is titled "Fourth Of July Patrol".  It was recorded by The New York Military Band and was released for July 1914 distribution so we can take this occasion to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the release of this record as well.  I read that it was ready by June 25, 1914 so retailers could get a head start on the summer season.  It sold for 50 cents ($0.50) in the United States and 65 cents ($0.65) in Canada.

The catalog number is 2325 and this particular track was a reissue of the Edison 4-minute wax Amberol released in the year 1912 (catalog number 1040).  The cylinder is being played on a Thomas Edison BVI, or VI-B, Amberola Phonograph (sold in 1913 and 1914).

The song "Fourth Of July Patrol" is a medley featuring "Yankee Doodle" (1775), "Tenting On The Old Camp Ground" (1863), "Hail, Columbia" (1789), "Dixie" (1859) and, once again, "Yankee Doodle" (1775).

Links of interest: http://archive.org/stream/edisonphonograph12moor/edisonphonograph12moor_djvu.txt &amp and http://cylinders.library.ucsb.edu/search.php?queryType=@attr%201=1016%20&query=Patrol&num=1&start=12&sortBy=&sortOrder=ia

Enjoy!!


Here is the url for the above video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2pQ-eljiTU

Photographs ...

On This Day, 100 Years Ago, Gavrilo Princip Assassinated Franz Ferdinand Triggering World War I

My Friends: Today, June 28, 2014, marks the beginning of a very extraordinary Centennial Event. On this day, 100 years ago, the Bosnian Serb Gavrilo Princip fired what is widely believed to be THE FIRST SHOT of The Great War. A century ago, on June 28, 1914, Gavrilo Princip assassinated the Astro-Hungarian Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The act is considered to be the spark that started The First World War. For the duration of the Great War Centennial, 2014 to 2018, I will be making a number of videos featuring relevant artifacts. The World War One Centennial BEGINS!

June 5, 2014 Was The 25th Anniversary Of The Lone Protester Standing Up To The Tanks In Tiananmen Square

June 5, 2014 was the 25th Anniversary of what I consider to be one of the most extraordinary moments in human history.  The incident was captured on film and in a few photographs and involved someone whom is unknown to us today.  He is only known as the Tank Man, the Unknown Rebel or the Unknown Protester.  This man stood in front of a line of invading tanks.  His act was part of the wider Tiananmen Square Protests.  If any of you want to find an example of a hero, this man is certainly it.  Although his name is not known, his image will be remembered for all time.  All of us should reflect on the man and his mission.

25 Years Ago Today, I Was A Paperboy Who Delivered The News Of The Ayatoilet's Death

It is June 4, 2014. On this day, 25 years ago, I was a 15-year-old delivering newspapers, and, on the front cover of the June 4, 1989 edition of the Courier Post was the announcement of the death of the dirty, ugly, disgusting terrorist ayatoilet khomeini. I recall handing a copy of the paper to my then next-door neighbor and after I turned my back to walk toward my bike, I heard her say "GOOD!". This happened a quarter of a century ago today.

A 2014 Call To Restore Memorial Day Back To May 30 As Opposed To The Last Monday Of May

Memorial Day was initially called Decoration Day and, for years, observed on May 30.  It eventually became "observed" on the final Monday of May.  I type "observe" in quotes because the Day and the Day's intention have been trivialized by the change.  I wish to see Memorial Day/Decoration Day returned to a single sole concrete day as opposed to the absolutely disgusting last Monday of May "kick-off" to the summer.  There are various petitions online that people can sign.  I signed one in 2008.  Many Soldiers were killed in combat, and to transform a day honoring their deaths to a convenient kick-off to the summer is no doubt disgraceful.

Here is a postcard from the era when Memorial Day was called Decoration Day and was solely a Union North observance or commemoration. It was postmarked in 1910.

Good Will Purchases For Displaying Mechanical Machines And Records

Last night, I recorded and posted a video showing the items that I purchased at the Mechanical Music Extravaganza in Wayne, NJ.  In this video, I will show you some recent purchases from a local Good Will store.  These pieces of furniture work very well with the phonographs and records that I picked up.











 

I have not tried to use the furniture pieces with the gramophones yet.  I might try it soon.

Purchases From The Mechanical Music Extravaganza In Wayne, NJ In April 2014

On April 13, 2014, I attended the AMAZING Mechanical Music Extravaganza in Wayne, New Jersey.   This was the first time that I attended this convention.  It was very much worth the two hour drive to get there.  This is the place to be if you want to procure an early machine for cylinders or 78s or stroll down the aisles as if it was a museum.  The admission fee was $6.  I certainly recommend the convention and I will be attending the next event this October 12.

The first seven pictures are from the convention, and the remaining six show my purchases.  There is a video showing the purchases at the bottom of the page.






 
Here are two extraordinary mechanical figures.  The girl in the winter clothing (circa 1910) removes her hand from the mittens and blows kisses and the woman (circa 1915) plays the harp while her chest moves from the breathing.  If I am not mistaken, the figures were $6,000 or $6,5000 and $19,000 respectively:


 
Here is my haul.  In the following photographs, you will see a Brunswick Panatrope Exponential Type 106 from the late 1920s (1928 perhaps), an Edison Standard Phonograph Model B with a C Reproducer sold from July 1905 to the Summer 1906, a His Master's Voice Model 102E Portable Gramophone from 1952 (it was introduced in July 1931 and discontinued in 1960 ... I came to the conclusion that it is from 1952 because the serial code is B/16), 78s records, celluloid and wax cylinder records, envelopes of needles and an empty Columbia concert wax cylinder box.







 
The prices at the Mechanical Music Extravaganza were less than what one would have to pay on ebay or elsewhere on the web.  That is the irony of this convention - one can indeed get quality for less.  It is the real deal no doubt.  Another advantage to going to a convention is the ability to see and hear a demonstration of the machines prior to buying.  Plus, the vendors are more knowledgeable than online sellers who are not experienced in old machines.  Certainly some knowledgeable sellers on the web do exist, and the ones who specialize in early machines should be sought out.  Many of the people on ebay and elsewhere on the internet sell junk pieces that they think are functional.

Here is the video: