2 comments about The Dog Album: Studio Portraits of Dogs and Their People: 30 Postcards.

1. Although this book does have some interesting information about the art of photography, I was disappointed that the photography itself seemed to be the focus of the book and not the dogs. There are some captivating photos included in the book which any dog lover would enjoy, but I would have preferred that the author had not included the captions below each photo as I felt that they only distracted from the images. Also, many of the photographs appeared to be reduced in size. If you want a wonderful book of studio photographs of dogs check out the book "Prince and Other Dogs 1850-1940" by Libby Hall.



2. In this era of specialization, it is most refreshing to be exposed to a book which stimulates interest in multiple, seemingly unrelated subjects. Such a book is The Dog Album, authored by Gary E. Eichhorn and Scott B. Jones. First of all, the book presents a brief but fascinating, especially for the novice, overview of the history of photography. It also provides some interesting background pertaining to the development of modern canine breeds. But most of all, it reflects a profound, sincere love of dogs, and a illuminating historical manifestation of the relationship of dogs and their owners. Certainly, these latter two qualities give The Dog Album its lasting value. I believe the astute and sensitive reader will be drawn to this book looking both forwards and backwards. Backwards, as one cannot help but relate to the mutual love and respect between owner and dog reflected in these wonderful photos. And forwards, as we are better able to understand our current relationship to a favorite dog in an historical context. In conclusion, The Dog Album is not a book one buys, reads a single time, and places on the shelf to gather dust. It is a book one will return to over and over again, to help remember past friends (i.e., dogs) and to more fully appreciate current friends (i.e., dogs).

4 comments about G-man (Postcardbook).

1. This book left me a bit cold. Great colors and all, but the guys here are so self-centered and self-absorbed, and I couldn't feel they could tell me something. Much better Hanson in Chelsea Boys, and if you're looking for beautiful boys with feeling, look at Joe Phillips' boys!



2. Since I bought this book, I have bought all Glen's publications. He's got a great way to portray the Gay Lifestyle. Very respectful and creative, not to mention the amazing drawings. I recommend buying anything "Glen Hanson".



3. Sometimes less is more and with this book. It is totally, great photo's from beginning to end some of them revealing and some of them not so much. But this is for the better each photo has something offer just about anybody. After checking out G-man, i'm wanting more of this in spades.



4. Glen Hanson has produced so much artwork of amazing quality. This latest project is just a wonderful as all the rest, interesting, beautiful, unusual - you have to get this book!

No comments about Victorian Easter.

2 comments about Greetings from Ocean Grove, New Jersey.

1. Ocean Grove is a mixture of traditions and enjoyment. "Greetings..." provides significant glimpses of the Grove's past, and essentially binds them with today's Ocean Grove experience. The third graphic book about Ocean Grove, this is the best. Unfortunately, a number of images had been incorporated into previous volumns...causing me to think some images were withheld that could otherwise have made it to the pages of "Greetings..." Well known fire apparatus photographer and historian Wm.N.Schwartz's work is represented herein, but no credit given his photos. This is a must for all who care about Ocean Grove and its history, but certainly lends itself to all seeking the nostalgia of time gone by.



2. Wonderful book beautifully put together by Chris Flynn. For fans of Ocean Grove, NJ, you will love it. I spent my childhood there, and it was just great looking at all the postcard and photo memories. Highly recommend it for Ocean Grove "fanatics".

1 comments about A Century Apart.

1. A Century Apart: Maine Then & Now is a gorgeous visual and historic tour of Maine's landscapes and cities. Author Cindy McIntyre was an avid collector of Maine postcards; inspired by the vintage photographs, she sought to compare snapshots of present-day Maine with images past, revealing striking differences and similarities. The text recounts changes in the last hundred years in various Maine towns, while the full-color paintings and photographs often display striking contrasts when placed side by side. A superb souvenir book for Maine vacationers, and a trip down memory lane for longtime Maine residents.

No comments about Touring Tennessee: A Postcard Panorama, 1898-1955 (Tennessee Heritage Library Bicentennial Collection).

No comments about Lobstering Villages of Maine: A Postcard Book (Postcard Books).

No comments about The Virginian Railway (VA) (Postcards of America).

1 comments about Greetings from Ocean City, Maryland.

1. I've been going to Ocean City, Maryland all my life, and I try to obtain any books about the town.
   
   I got this one, and was very happy with it. It perfectly illustrates the history of Ocean City through post cards. And full color pictures of the post cards.
   
   Included is a brief history of Ocean City.
   
   Highly recommended. Buy it now. Back in the late nineties, a similar book called "Down the Ocean" was published. It's now out of print and pretty hard to find. So, I'd say get this if you can.

1 comments about Postcards of the Night: Views of American Cities.

1. You might think that the humble postcard is just a piece of printed cardboard but just read John Jakle's fascinating book and discover there is a lot more behind these colorful images. The eighty-two cards in the book, dated from 1900 to 1977, show a selective view of cities at night, as Jakle explains (in a very comprehensive introduction) the card publishers, at least in the early years of the last century, were quite happy to add a row of street lights if none existed and city fathers frequently felt pressure to then put them up.
   
   Before the introduction of fast film most night-time postcards were day-time photographs and illustrations with a black sky added or maybe a moon with a cloudy sky painted in and street lights made to glow, some of these do look rather crude though. New film and cameras in the thirties allowed postcard photographers to be more creative, with strobe effects for instance and the old favorite, the time-lapse.
   
   Though most cards from the thirties onwards are photographs many were still heavily retouched to give even more sparkle to the image, page 107 shows a looking down view of San Francisco with searchlights in the background and streets of the city just dazzling with light, it was taken in 1940. A slightly different view is of Capitol Street, Jackson, Mississippi in 1955 (page 67) here the street lights are strangely dim but the sidewalks are aglow with light from shop windows and plenty of neon, a positive reflection of the city as modern and progressive or as the author says 'Postcard views were expected to celebrate cities and do so in ways that would preserve, if not strengthen, the social status quo'.
   
   The production and design of the book is first-class, landscape in format, to compliment the typical postcard shape, each card has a page to itself with a long caption. The back of the book has an appendix about collecting these interesting postcards and a bibliography.
   
   Another book (also beautifully produced) of city postcards that I have enjoyed is 'American Architecture: a vintage postcard collection' by Luc Van Malderen (ISBN 1864700785) which has 625 mainly illustrative images and includes several night-time views. Both books will interest anyone who wants to learn more about how cities were presented to the public.
   
   ***FOR AN INSIDE LOOK click 'customer images' under the cover.