Tintype Photographs Cheaper & Better

Ferrotypes, more often referred to as tintypes, came into being through the development of photographic processes. They are photographic images taken on thin iron or tin plates by a collodion process. (The collodion was a thick, sticky liquid which was originally used by military physicians as a sort of liquid bandage.)

Ferrotypes were less expensive than their predecessor the daguerreotypes, which were taken on silver-coated copper plates. The collodion process also made the images less susceptible to abrasions.

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What Is There Not To Like About
Northern Arizona?

You may remember that in an earlier issue of the paper, I mentioned that my husband, Ron, was thinking of starting a new collection: a visit to all our national parks. Then he was overwhelmed when he found on the internet a list of just how many national parks there are. However, the idea is not gone, and this Spring we added one more to his collection, when we took a day trip to the Grand Canyon National Park.

It is a truly awe-inspiring place. The visitor guide gives these statistics: the park encompasses 277 miles of the Colorado River, is 18 miles wide at places, and when you’re looking from the rim to the bottom where the river flows, you’re looking down a mile.

This was my second visit, the first being 40 years ago with two pre-schoolers (not too much fun) and many of the facilities have changed since that time. The visitor center is now just outside the park; there is limited parking inside the boundaries and visitors are encouraged to take the free shuttles that go regularly between the various viewpoints. At the visitor center, there is an IMAX theater with a most interesting film of early life in the canyon and some great airplane flights through it. (Close your eyes if you get motion sick.

This is one of the great places of America and if you haven’t been there yet, put it on your “bucket list.”

We had opted for a van tour, and our driver included a visit to the Navajo Nation which adjoins the park to the east. There are numerous spots along the road where Navajo jewelry and pottery is for sale. Then we stopped at the well-known Cameron Trading Post, which has been selling Native American products to tourists since the 19th century. Prices there were steep, but there’s some fine products. The place is also famous for its fry bread (think elephant ear or funnel cake and you’ve got basically the some item.)

The Grand Canyon is northwest of the city of Flagstaff. About 30 miles to the east is another interesting natural phenomenon well worth a visit. It’s the Meteor Crater. About 50,000 years ago, a giant meteor weighing millions of tons crashed into Earth at this spot. It created a hole 550 feet deep (picture a 60-story building,) with a circumference of 2.4 miles. It’s been used as an official training site by NASA for the Apollo astronauts, since its surface resembles that of the moon. There’s an interesting visitor center here, too, with information about meteors and those who have studied them from around the world.

Since these activities center around Flagstaff, if you’re in the area, you should also pay a visit to the Museum of Northern Arizona, which showcases the natural history and the human history of the Colorado Plateau. One gallery highlights the Hopi, Navajo, Pai and Zuni people who live in the area. Another gallery features Hopi weavings and katsina dolls; the Navajo Weaving Gallery displays both historic and contemporary examples of Navajo textiles and yet another gallery is devoted to Southwestern Native ceramic, lapidary and silverwork. It is truly a wonderful museum.

South of Flagstaff is the beautiful Red Rock country around the community of Sedona. You don’t need a visitor center or a museum to enjoy the beautiful outdoors here - everywhere you look, you’ll see the fantastic red rock formations. If you’re a movie fan, you’ll recognize many of them, as this area has been the setting for movies, especially westerns, for decades.

A pleasant way to spend an afternoon in the Red Rocks is to take the Verde Canyon Railroad trip, which winds its way through a part of the country where the roads don’t go. But the rails have been there for 99 years. There’s a narrative played most of the time, explaining each area as you pass through it. If you buy a first-class ticket, you’ll also be provided with food and drink. Bring your own if you opt to travel coach. The scenery’s the same for everybody.

A few miles farther south is the town of Prescott. We needed to make a day trip there on some personal business, and found there, to our surprise, six antique malls within a two-block stretch, and all just a block away from where our business was being transacted. We filled two banana boxes with things from the malls to bring home. So for a break from natural beauty, and to satisfy your antique fix, Prescott is a great stop.

We managed the above activities in four days, which was all the time we had. There’s lots more to see and do which will have to wait for another visit, but - Ron does have one more national park visit in his collection.

Donna Miller

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Bootjacks Replaced By Laced Shoes

A bootjack was usually located near the back door of the house. Its purpose was to help gentlemen remove the high, tight boots worn in the 18th and 19th centuries, without the wearer having to bend over or get his hands dirty.

The operative part was a V shape, which held the heel of the boot while the wearer pulled his heel free. There were also ladies' models available.

Some were double-ended or adjustable, so they could be used by either men or women.

A variety of materials were used for bootjacks, including wood, brass and wrought iron, As travel became more common, small portable and folding bootjacks were made to carry along.

Bootjacks became obsolete when low-topped shoes that laced came into fashion.

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Imported Needles Used For Needle Books

The needle book reached its peak of popularity late in the 19th century; it continued in use well into the 20th century.

The early needle books had colorful lithographed pictures on the front and back. Some were advertising pieces. Others were commemorative items for fairs or expositions. A popular series was the "Army and Navy Needle Book," made during the 1920s. The series is illustrated with drawings of battleships and early planes.

The inside of a needle book had some way of holding needles. Bright red, blue, green or gold foil was a frequent choice. Some books used fabric. Others had the needles enclosed in small paper packets which were glued to the inside.

A variety of needle sizes and types would be included. One 1909 needle book contains a list of its contents. It had a glove or fur needle, straw or milliner's needle, tape needle, worsted needle, motto or chenille needle, several sizes of darners, a carpet needle and a shoe button needle!

The needles themselves were usually imported from Germany, England or Japan, and then inserted into the books which were printed in the United States.

Collectors look for needle books in mint to very good condition. Creases, bends and tears lessen the value considerably. Even needle books in excellent condition are still, for the most part, quite inexpensive, most being in the ten dollar range.

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