Why A Hackenbush?

Ever wonder why this blogger goes by the name Hackenbush? No?  Well, I'm going to tell you anyway.

Oddly enough I think I saw my first  Marx Brothers movie in school.  I have no idea why but we got to see Duck Soup in my grammar school auditorium.  It was 1973 and I was a callow lad of 14.  The brothers' work was experiencing somewhat of a revival at the time, though alas, Harpo and Chico had passed on during the previous decade.  I became hooked.  This was in the pre-Netflix, pre-DVD, pre-VHS days but the movies were often on regular old television. 

I'm not exactly sure how I found out about it but Why a Duck was the first Marx related book I ever bought.  It would have been at Kroch's & Brentano's at 29 S. Wabash in downtown Chicago.  

The price of this coffee table book was $8.50.

Since that day I've accumulated a nice shelf's worth of books by or about Groucho, Chico, Harpo, Zeppo (and Gummo.)  I can quote lines from the movies and I raise my prominent eyebrows subconsciously in a Grouchoesque manner. (I'm doing it now.)

Books about the brothers and their movies in general.

 

Scripts

 

Books about Groucho

Books by Groucho

This is a First edition from 1959 (in poor condition).

I read Memoirs of a Mangy Lover a few months ago.  Much of the humor holds up but his attitude toward women does not.

Chico was too busy gambling and running from gamblers to have written a book.

Harpo was universally thought of as the nicest of the brothers.  I should read this one again.

Books by Marx children.

This is a fun series of mysteries featuring Groucho.

And there you have it.  I don't have anything else like the book collection but I'll share some other Marx stuff another time.  Do you follow me?  Well, stop following me or I'll have you arrested.

Blow Out the Candles February 25 My Favorite Player, A Marx Brother, A Giant HOFer, and Renior

My favorite player, Ron Santo, was born in Seattle, Washington on this date in 1940.  Although Ernie Banks is "Mr. Cub"(I think he copywrited it) no one personified the Cubs more than Ron Santo.  Everyone knows his accomplishments by now and you'll be hearing a lot more come Hall of Fame induction time so for today I'll just share some of my favorite items and maybe a little multimedia.

1961 Topps #35

I got this signed TTM right after his retirement in the mid 1970's.

 2009 UD Goudey

This is the smiliest photo of Ron I've ever seen.  Love it!

2001 UD Decade 1970's
What a happy card!

1964 Topps Stand Up

This is the rarest Santo vintage card in my collection.

2008 Ultimate #UJ-RS

This is an autographed replica of the flag that flies on the left field foul pole at Wrigley Field.

Negro Leagues and New York Giant Hall of Famer Monte Irvin is 92 today.

2005 Upper Deck Classic #70

Monte Irvin, Willie Mays and Henry Thompson

Monte played his last season (1956) for the Chicago Cubs

Zeppo Marx was born in New York City on this date in 1901.

 Harpo, Groucho, Zeppo and Chico

Zeppo, Harpo, Chico and Grocuho

Zeppo, the youngest of the five Marx Brothers appeared in the first five Marx Bros. films before giving up acting to become an agent.

French impressionist, Pierre August Renoir was born in Limoges, France on this date in 1841.

Here are some of his works:

 These works all reside at The Art Institute of Chicago.  Until our recent move we visited them regularly.  My favorite of these is Seascape.  

 Chrysanthemums, 1881/82

Seascape, 1879

Two Sisters (On the Terrace), 1881

Young Woman Sewing, 1879