Thanks for this. Amid all the whirling news, here's a Very enjoyable read, without one reference to politics. Just what I need in the morning! The items you pictured are just wonderful. My mind thought of the possibilities of each thing in relation to the time it was created, if I used it, what was that like--and it was a nice journey. I still have one of those grocery list things, it was my mother's. I treasure all the things I've kept from the past, be they objects from the very distant past or five or ten years past. They're important to me. They bring a sort of misty feeling, a warm feeling of familiarity somehow.
I am packing to leave my apt, being priced out and on the street in my car soon. Scrambling to get everything into storage, I'm wearing myself out and worried about the future. Your post took only a few minutes of my time yet will be with me all day as I continue to sort and pack my treasures. You've reminded me that the present can't Be without the past, and the future depends on it. My future. Our future.
Thanks to both of you- remembering and honoring the best of the past and acknowledging the potential benefits of the future is truly a balm to the current political climate. Peace, love, happiness and maybe some rock and roll.
depends... i def would hate to go back to the 1950s as a black dude in america... most of the past seems pretty bleak to me in this country and i imagine there are others in other times and places that feel the same
so it makes me think there's also a dimension of privilege to nostalgia
I also really enjoyed this! It's beautifully written, James, and thanks for finding such interesting examples. I know we tend to view the past through a rose-tinted lens that obscures the actual history and often, hardships and trouble that our ancestors endured. All those objects are terrific representations of "work", and something created with soul and inspiration. They had personality. I love that the metal shopping list includes "matches".
Horrible human rights for most, but so much great design. (And unfortunately people in power are rolling back the human rights again.) All art history from fashion to gadgets to furniture tells stories, and that’s so cool. The super rich used to patron the arts and we had gorgeous buildings and drain pipes and knives that were sculptures. Everything could be art! Now it’s mostly mass produced and boring. Thanks for sharing some of these beautiful things from the past that will hopefully continue to inspire future designers
One small quibble about something you probably didn't even think about - and that's the point. Marianne Faithfull was a person with many roles in her life, including a celebrated and popular singer; dating Mick Jagger was only one of them, and one that didn't last nearly as long as most of her other roles. So please don't reduce her, or any woman, to her brief role as an appendage to a man.
That wasn’t the point of the caption. I love Marianne Faithfull’s music, especially her final album. The caption referred to how, even though she was with Mick, she was understandably focused on Delon. Perhaps you weren’t familiar with the famous meme: “That moment when you’re Mick Jagger but the other guy is Alain Delon.”
Thanks for this. Amid all the whirling news, here's a Very enjoyable read, without one reference to politics. Just what I need in the morning! The items you pictured are just wonderful. My mind thought of the possibilities of each thing in relation to the time it was created, if I used it, what was that like--and it was a nice journey. I still have one of those grocery list things, it was my mother's. I treasure all the things I've kept from the past, be they objects from the very distant past or five or ten years past. They're important to me. They bring a sort of misty feeling, a warm feeling of familiarity somehow.
I am packing to leave my apt, being priced out and on the street in my car soon. Scrambling to get everything into storage, I'm wearing myself out and worried about the future. Your post took only a few minutes of my time yet will be with me all day as I continue to sort and pack my treasures. You've reminded me that the present can't Be without the past, and the future depends on it. My future. Our future.
Again, Thank you!
Thank you for this touching message. I'm truly moved that the post brought you a moment of peace. May things begin to turn in your favor very soon 🙏🏻
Thanks to both of you- remembering and honoring the best of the past and acknowledging the potential benefits of the future is truly a balm to the current political climate. Peace, love, happiness and maybe some rock and roll.
Peace, love, happiness to you as well-- and ALWAYS RnR! I'd be lost wo music.
The rotating bookshelf is hilarious! And I love the metal grocery list! I might have to have one made for me! These are so cool!
Need to add some Catsup to the shopping list!
I love that shopping list! I was born in 1958, so I don't remember it , but what a quaint combination of notepad and ipad ;)
I want to know what "delicates" were!
lol, I didn't even notice that...and it's spelled "delicatess" with 2 s's. I do remember panty hose and even underwear in supermarkets.
deli. delicatessen.
depends... i def would hate to go back to the 1950s as a black dude in america... most of the past seems pretty bleak to me in this country and i imagine there are others in other times and places that feel the same
so it makes me think there's also a dimension of privilege to nostalgia
Imagine being a white guy in the Union Army getting killed for black guys and gals. At least you didn’t have to face anything like that.
😂
I also really enjoyed this! It's beautifully written, James, and thanks for finding such interesting examples. I know we tend to view the past through a rose-tinted lens that obscures the actual history and often, hardships and trouble that our ancestors endured. All those objects are terrific representations of "work", and something created with soul and inspiration. They had personality. I love that the metal shopping list includes "matches".
As the third-worldization of The West continues we'll just get more faster and cheaper, but not better.
Wow, wow! They are all so beautiful.
Thank you . It's so interesting.
Beauty in every expression is a precious gift.
Enjoyed this article very much.
It’s got me thinking! Love it.
Thank you so much Carol!
This was beautifully written, really great insight!
Thank you!
Thanks for this, fascinating!
I agree that we often feel better about times past: it’s because the threats and uncertainties of the past are extinct.
But I retain the material culture of the past: I know the provenance of every object in our house. That’s an enriching comfort.
I couldn’t agree more.
Thanks for the article. It is fascinating how much we cherish the past perhaps because it mirrors the best of what life could have been.
My pleasure.
Horrible human rights for most, but so much great design. (And unfortunately people in power are rolling back the human rights again.) All art history from fashion to gadgets to furniture tells stories, and that’s so cool. The super rich used to patron the arts and we had gorgeous buildings and drain pipes and knives that were sculptures. Everything could be art! Now it’s mostly mass produced and boring. Thanks for sharing some of these beautiful things from the past that will hopefully continue to inspire future designers
Revealing my age here, I am proud to say we had a metal grocery list in the top righthand drawer next to the sink when I was kid 😏
Thank you for this! I NEED a bookwheel!!
One small quibble about something you probably didn't even think about - and that's the point. Marianne Faithfull was a person with many roles in her life, including a celebrated and popular singer; dating Mick Jagger was only one of them, and one that didn't last nearly as long as most of her other roles. So please don't reduce her, or any woman, to her brief role as an appendage to a man.
That wasn’t the point of the caption. I love Marianne Faithfull’s music, especially her final album. The caption referred to how, even though she was with Mick, she was understandably focused on Delon. Perhaps you weren’t familiar with the famous meme: “That moment when you’re Mick Jagger but the other guy is Alain Delon.”
PS: I need a bookwheel too!