Nita Borka, Contortionist

For those who are not old enough, many years ago, there was something called The Ed Sullivan Show.  Ed Sullivan had been a newspaper columnist on the New York Broadway beat.  Despite the fact the he wasn't particularly telegenic, and far from charismatic, Ed Sullivan became one of the early stars of network television.  Every Sunday night he hosted a variety show.  While he booked some pretty big acts, and made rock & roll mainstream, he also booked these weird novelty acts that probably hadn't worked since vaudeville died.  Personally, I liked the plate spinners. 

There's a label on the back of this photo that I've translated from German.  Well, actually Google Translate did that, but I did type it in.  "Photo is the property of the artist.  Please do not hesitate to return to agency G. Schnitzler.  HAMBURG 13-Innocentiastr. 12."  Well, Innocentiastr. is an abbreviation, str. is probably strasse, or street.  Innocentia doesn't come up as German, but does mean harmless in Latin.  So, for what it's worth.  There's a second stamp, "Photo reproduction Garloff & Richter, Magdeburg."  And a third, all abbreviations, "Reg. Nr.  IV-14-68."  Good bet that means April, 14, 1968. 

What's intersting is that Hamburg was in West Germany, while Magdeburg was in the East.  Perhaps by 1968, a contortionist wasn't sophisticated enough for the more advanced west, but  in East Germany, Nita Borka could still make a living. 

The Policeman's Ball

Many years ago, I lived in a camper.  For ten and half years I bummed around the country, worked when I needed to, and in the end, found myself in Los Angeles.  During that time, I was beaten by the NOPD, the LVPD, and twice by the LAPD.  I'm not really in love with law enforcement.

Written on the back, "Police Ball State Armory."  Dated, "APR 68"

Carmen With Her Award

Written on the back, "CMF Convention award dinner Carmen w/award June 1968."

Unfortunately, the print isn't sharp enough to read what's on Carmen's award.  So, what's the CMF?  There are a lot of possibilities, but I've got two guesses.  The first is The Country Music Foundation.  The circular design at the top might be a 45 record.  And the other, The Christian Missionary Fellowship.  Both were around in 1968.  The country Music Foundation was founded, in Nashville, Tennessee in 1964, and The Christian Missionary Fellowship was founded in 1949, at The Manhattan Christian College, in Manhattan, Kansas. .  I can see the big hair and the cats eye glasses on church ladies and country singers.  Too many choices.