WW2 CARTOON....THE GREAT ELMER SQUEE

 published in 1942 by the Mcmillan company,Elmer Squee  is the story of a timid "average joe",that joins the Navy after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The book follows him from being a civilian to being a hero. ....

Richard Lakeman Brooks aka "Brooksie'',then author of this little cartoon character, was born in 1917 in Gloucester Ma. While at college,he began selling paintings.It was during World War II ,while serving in the Navy that he created Elmer's caracter. He was torpedoed off East Africa, served on three destroyer escorts as a Gunnery Officer and Executive Officer, barely making it through the worst typhoon in Naval history and emerged as a Lieutenant Commander. After the war, he studied illustration at Pratt Institute, sold his Naval character as a Sunday comic strip, and then sold the Jackson Twins another cartoon he created , as a Sunday and daily comic strip which he did for 25 years.

R. L. Brooks died in 2002.....

THE BLUES ACCORDING TO MY HERO

1900'S INDIGO CHORE JACKET

Today's post is about a 1900's chore jacket from the Kuttnauer company.This deep indigo light canvas beauty, was in a NOS condition when i've got it 10 years ago .All its shank buttons were gone,so i replaced them with period correct ones, for that " railroad engineer look " i like.....

MILTON KUTTNAUER was born in March 18, 1875 in Detroit,son of a German immigrant LOUIS KUTTNAUER. Louis Kuttnauer ,Milton's father,was fifteen years old when he came from Germany to the United States.In 1867 he established his permanent home in Detroit were he founded his business engaging in the manufacturing of cigars. He finally sold this prosperous business and turned his attention to wholesale dealing of tobacco leaves,

Milton's early education was obtained in the public schools of Detroit and among his first business experiences he was in the wholesale trade in men's furnishing goods. Kuttnauer Apron Specialties Company,which later became Samuel Kuttnauer & bros,had its manufacturing and executive headquarters established originally at 2442 Riopelle street and later moved to west Jefferson Ave. The company was focusing on the manufacturing of men's aprons,chore jackets, bakers and chefs' shop caps and coats . Milton developed a large and prosperous business, becoming one of the leading manufacturer of the kind in the country back in the early 1900's employing over 80 skilled men and women in his factory in the 20's...... 

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

Straight from my "little golden book"collection ,this little nugget in honor of father's day .for all the daddies and daddies to be .......enjoy

FORGET THE ALDEN INDY BOOTS ....HERE'S THE REAL MCCOY

Recently found these beauties and couldn't believe it ....Look at the brand .personally,i find them better looking and interesting than the average Alden indy boots.I've Tried to research the brand, but couldn't find anything,even the PAT # took me to a dead end.Unfortunately,they are too big for me,12" long and 4" at the widest ,so they'll end up on ebay for someone else to enjoy...... 

WW1 USN WOOL SHIRT ...the missing link

straight from the pages of the 1917 blue jacket manual

Called this post the "missing link"simply because i've spent years finding a clean example of what is the first USN enlisted men's regulation wool shirt .That's the second example i've had in over 25 years and this one is in pretty good condition.....