Number 11: Active Child
"Like, I know that the whole world is exploding just behind me, but I'm way to busy looking pensively in this direction to turn my head in even the slightest, soooo...."
As a record collector, I'm always facinated by those who have acquired tons of material from the past. Years ago I bought up an old gents collection and was reselling records I didn't need. In the pile was an old 78 entitled "National Aires" which was the national anthems of each nation that participated in "The Great War." Flipping the record over, there was a message from Thomas Edison himself which started out with an announcment that "the next voice you hear will be that of Thomas Edison, making a rare public statement." After the usual static, a gruff voice announced "THIS IS EDISON. I WANT TO THANK THEM DOBOYS, THEM ITALIANS AND THEM BELGIMS (HIS CHOICE OF PRONOUNCIATIONS) FOR WINNING THE GREAT WAR...AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY." Mr. Edison was indeed a great inventor, but great public speaker, he was not.
Another collector came by, listened to the record and offered me $25.00 for it...I took it even though I knew it was likely worth more. A week or so later I'm driving down the road listening to then KMOX and Jack Carney said "Folks...I just came across this great recording of Thomas Edison made at the end of World War One! Yep...same record...wonder what Carnet paid for it!
If RFT reporter Nicholas Phillips is still around, please convey my thanks for the great article he did on my book, CURBSTONE JUSTICE back in January of 2011. The book, cop stories from the fifties and sixties, continues to sell well and everyone from Chief Isom on down through the ranks in the St. Louis Police Department, either has a copy or has read it over someone's shoulder. I do have to get back to the Delmar Loop area and sell one to Joe Edwards who is also a serious record collector...I knew back Joe when he first opened "Blueberry Hill" and only had two juke boxes to rub together...what a job he has done for the Loop area...and what a wonderful blessing the RFT has been for St. Louisans everywhere...keep up the good work.
Regards...Bill Leahy wleahy@centurytel.net and www.curbstonejustice.com
@thorlock Hell, all of those photos are more interesting than the standard "Band Standing on a Train Track Smoking Cigarettes" glossies!
@thorlock Even the pensive guy staring off at the beach while the world explodes -- that one beats five guys standing against a brick wall.
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