Found on EBay -- J.W. Robinson's

Here's a fancy beaded purse from J.W. Robinson's listed on EBay with bids starting at $19.99.

           

History -- San Luis Obispo

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San Luis Obispo County Tribune Here's a nice discovery: David Middlecamp at the San Luis Obispo County Tribune has been putting together a history blog, Photos From the Vault. Here's a cropped version of a 1959 photo showing a gas station at 1371 Monterery. The 1959 price for ethyl, 34 cents a gallon, is $2.39 in 2007 dollars.

Thanksgiving in Vietnam; Angels' new general manager, November 29, 1968

Above, Thanksgiving with the 199th Light Infantry Brigade, southwest of Saigon. The Brookings Institution warns President Nixon: "he will be powerless to do much good for America if the Vietnam War drags on through his administration." The war in Vietnam ended April 30, 1975, six years and five months later, during the Gerald Ford administration. Los Angeles Times, May 1, 1975.

The Angels almost got in the way of a landmark legal case. Dick Walsh had big plans for the Angels when he was hired as their general manager. The longtime Dodger executive told Times columnist John Hall exactly what he wanted to do. "Here's what I have in mind. I want Richie Allen, I want him badly," Walsh said. "It looks good. Rick Reichardt will be in on it. So will several others, it could be a 10-man trade. I'm serious about it." Allen wouldn't be the only new face in Anaheim. Hall shared the potential Angels starting lineup in 1969: Orlando Cepeda, first base; Cookie Rojas, second base; Dal Maxvill, shortstop; Aurelio Rodriguez, third base; Allen, left field; Vic Davalillo, center field; Johnny Callison, right field, and Tom Satriano, catcher. Wrote Hall: "In a word, wow. ... Walsh may just be having a little fun in a move to shake the Angels out of their somewhat strange complacency, but he insists he means what he says." Allen, of course, did not become an Angel. Instead, the Phillies traded him to St. Louis after the 1969 season in a package that included outfielder Curt Flood, who refused to report to his new team. Flood sued baseball and Commissioner Bowie Kuhn, seeking to become a free agent.  He appealed his case all the way to the Supreme Court. He lost and ultimately ended his career with the Washington Senators, but his case was a key point in baseball's battle over free agency. Allen's trade to the Angels would not have prevented the Cardinals from trying to trade Flood in another deal. But who knows how things might have changed. And what about the other potential Angel slugger, Cepeda? That trade might have changed baseball history too. Walsh told Hall he thought he could obtain Cepeda and Maxvill for longtime Angel shortstop Jim Fregosi, who eventually was traded to the Mets in a deal that brought Nolan Ryan to Anaheim. Ryan might have pitched those four no-hitters for someone else. --Keith Thursby

Found on EBay -- Bullocks Wynshire

Here's an item from the Wynshire department at Bullocks Wilshire. Listed on EBay starting at $99.

Coming attractions -- Three Stooges

The Alex Film Society will host its annual Three Stooges event at the Alex Theatre in Glendale on Nov. 29, 2008, shows at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets $15/$12.50/$8.

Found on EBay -- One Magazine

Here's a February 1955 issue of One Magazine, published in Los Angeles, listed on EBay for $9.99. One Magazine began in 1953 and was declared obscene by the Postal Service, resulting in a landmark 1st Amendment ruling.

Barbara Graham case revisited, November 28, 1958

Los Angeles Times file photo Murder victim Mabel Monahan. "As you went in the front door, what was the first thing that attracted your attention?" "Mrs. Graham was striking Mrs. Monahan in the face with a gun. She was standing up and Mrs. Graham had her by the shoulder or hair with her left hand and was striking her with the gun in her right hand." "Was she bleeding?" "Yes, her face and head." "How many times did you see her strike Mrs. Monahan?" "Two or three times." "What did you do?" "I told Mrs. Graham not to hit her any more. I put my hand between the gun and Mrs. Monahan's face. She fainted or collapsed. I had her head in my lap and went down with her. Mrs. Graham pulled a pillowcase over her head."

Movie star mystery photo

Los Angeles Times file photo Our mystery guest on the left (Arthur Shields--or is it?) has more than 80 credits on imdb and more than 20 credits on on ibdb. The mystery woman (Maureen Delany) has less than 25 credits on imdb and more than 20 credits on ibdb.

Los Angeles Times file photo Here's our mystery guest, but in a trick shot. This is from a play rather than one of his many films. The mystery woman, alas, is unidentified on the back of the photo, but I've narrowed her identity down to just a few actresses. Update: I suspect this is Eileen Crowe, but I'm not positive. Los Angeles Times file photo Yet another shot of our mystery guest. Several have guessed his identity: Alexa Foreman, Rance Ryan, Richard Heft and Michael Ryerson. Congratulations!  This photo is from a production of Sean O'Casey's "The Plough and the Stars." Los Angeles Times file photo More folks have guessed our mystery guest: Herb Nichols, Claire Lockhart and redheaded555. This is Shields with Radha in "The River." Yes, as nearly everyone has guessed (including Arye Michael Bender), this is Arthur Shields. Several folks wondered whether the top photo is actually Shields. Here's what I know. When we published the photo in 1938, we said it was Shields and Maureen Delany. The information written on the back of the photo in pencil says: "Maureen Delany Arthur Shields The Far Off Hills Abbey Theatre. Biltmore Theatre Ends Apr. 9th." Here's the 1938 cast list of "The Far Off Hills." If this fellow isn't Shields, he must be someone else in this list. Any ideas?

Found on EBay --Batchelder tile

Here's a stamped Batchelder tile on EBay with bidding that started at $9.99.  I am certainly no expert, but I wouldn't waste a dime on anything that isn't marked Batchelder just because some EBay vendor says it's genuine. As with anything on EBay, do your homework before you bid and take anything the vendor says with a grain of salt.

Thanksgiving, 1980

Lida and Thomas Warne of Whittier celebrate their 74th wedding anniversary, 1980. According to California death records, Thomas George Warne died in 1981 at the age of 100. Lida Warne died in 1987 at the age of 100. And a Google search turns up an oral history interview with the Warnes in 1963.

O.J. Simpson wins Heisman, November 27, 1968

O.J. Simpson won the Heisman Trophy as the best college football player of 1968 after a remarkable two-year USC career. Dwight Chapin's story in The Times portrayed the lack of suspense--even Simpson said he was "pretty confident." Who could blame him? After all, he set NCAA records in 1968 for yards gained and carries and scored 21 touchdowns. Looking back on any Simpson story has its weird elements. Chapin's story recounted a friendly exchange between Simpson and LAPD Chief Tom Reddin who said at one point, "I'm so happy for you. I'm a hero worshiper and you're the greatest." And there's a quote from Simpson about his former surroundings: "I go home to my old area and some of my friends actually hide from me. I guess maybe it's that I'm different now. They're doing the same things I used to do but they're still doing them. I'm not." Where Simpson would play next year was a hot topic in The Times with lots of twists and turns. Here are a few examples: USC-UCLA, 1967 --Oct.  26: The Eagles and Steelers will play in the Simpson Bowl, with the winner being the loser. Both teams were winless, so the theory was the losing team would have the best chance to draft O.J. --Nov. 13: The Rams had three first-round draft picks in the upcoming college draft, but owner Dan Reeves told Bob Oates that the team won't trade them all for the rights to Simpson. The Rams eventually drafted running back Larry Smith, wide receiver Jim Seymour and tight end Bob Klein. --Nov. 14: Simpson was offered a $1 million contract from a San Antonio man who wanted to start a new team or his own league, Chapin reported. A copy of the offer was wired to The Times, Chapin wrote. The paper received it before Simpson did. --Nov. 27: The Eagles will draft Simpson and there's a 50-50 chance that Vince Lomardi "will be with him too," Bob Oates reported. --Nov. 30: The Buffalo Bills might not draft Simpson if they get the chance, Mal Florence wrote. --Keith Thursby

Poison gas kills Disney's mother, November 27, 1938

Above, Walt Disney gave his parents a home at 4605 Placidia Ave., Toluca Lake, for their golden wedding anniversary. According to The Times, a faulty furnace connection let carbon monoxide into the house. Disney's father, Elias, was found unconscious but survived, The Times said.  Wildfires cross Mulholland and head for Encino, a mile from the homes of Al Jolson, Joel McCrea, Edgar Rice Burroughs and Phil Harris, The Times says. The federal debt sets a record: $38 billion. At left, the Nazis ban jazz, effective Jan. 1, 1939, saying that it is only fit for Jews and Negroes. Nazi "pawnshops" to buy Jewish goods.  Stanford wins over Dartmouth, 23-13. Above, The Times explains some of the special effects used by Roy Seawright in "Topper." Some films in production or to start soon: Warners: "Juarez," "Dodge City," "Oklahoma Kid," "Dark Victory," "Sea Hawk" and "Each Dawn I Die." RKO: "Gunga Din." Paramount: "Union Pacific." MGM: "Northwest Passage," "Wizard of Oz," "Ninotchka." David O. Selznick plans to start work in January on "Gone With the Wind."  And Walter Wanger is making "Stagecoach."