Vintage News Articles & Finds

[billycw]

To whom it may concern:

This is the Doors property, it was the case for an old, broken tape recorder. Jim Morrison used to sit on this case and smoke a joint now and then, Congradulations!

Ray Manzarek (Doors Keyboardist)

 

[Gry]

Sitting in a corner with a yard stick. Classic.

 

[billycw]

Albert Einstein visiting the Grand Canyon, 1931

Einstein holding the peace pipe posing with Hopi (? might be Navajo), notice the beaded 'pipe bags' hanging from the waists of the men.

 

[geneva_sativa]

Nice find !

 

[billycw]

'Roach' vintage rolling papers

 

[billycw]

"In the veil of smoke from pipe of clay, I picture my sweetheart far away." Stereoview, 1906

 

[billycw]

A Venerable Syrian Beggar (Or Very Poor Man) Seated Holding His Hookah Pipe, Syria 1890's

 

[billycw]

Sarthe River Bridge in Saint Céneri le Gérei, France



Bridge Over Troubled Waters

Overlooking the Sarthe river in Northern France, sits the picturesque Village of Saint Céneri le Gérei. The only thing to match the towns beauty is its deep rooted history...

The village was named for a hermit Saint named Serenicus (Céneri) that lived on the river's edge in the 8th century. After crossing the alps in 689 A.D. Ceneri collapsed on a hill overlooking the Sarthe river. Unable to take another step he asked god for a miracle, a spring sprung up from the earth beside him and has been running ever since...

Ceneri Spring in Saint Céneri le Gérei, France



A monastery was built upon Céneri's death in his honor, but was completely destroyed by the Vikings in 903 AD. Some of the monasteries original wall's can still be found in the village, but a much older structure survived the Viking invasion intact.

The oldest structure in Saint Céneri le Gérei dating back to the Merovingians is the old stone bridge crossing the Sarthe river. The fact that it has survived antiquity is a miracle, the secret to how it survived is shocking.

A stone and mortar bridge crossing the river point was constructed by the Merovingians around 500 AD. Upon closer inspection the secret to its longevity is discovered... Hemp!

The bridges stonework is held into place by hemp mortar. With a mixture of more than 10% hemp, the hemp mortar has held the bridge together longer than any other structure in the village. Not to mention its the only structure that has had to withstand the rivers punishing current.

Sarthe River Bridge in Saint Céneri le Gérei, France



The Hempen bridge has withstood viking conquests, multiple world wars, natural disasters and has stood as a sanctuary and landmark for centuries.

If you walk halfway across the bridge, turn your back to the church on the overlooking hill, a small metal nail inserted into the mortar can be found that marks the border of Normandy.

Nail marking Normandy's border on Sarthe bridge



During WW2 the Germans twice tried to destroy the ancient hemp bridge.

On August 6, 1944, day's after the D-Day landings on nearby Normandy beaches, the Germans wired the bridge with charges in fear of the Allied advance. A day later the explosives were removed when it was realized the bridge was the only path of retreat from the quickly moving Allies.

On August 10, the last retreating Germans crossed the old stone Sarthe river bridge. Taking aim with the tanks, the bridge was shelled in haste to slow the Allied attack. The Bridge withstood the tank rounds with little damage...

The following week a group of American engineers repaired the hemp bridge leaving a little hidden memorial for the town. If you lean over the mill side of the bridge, a shell casing from the German tanks was mortared right into the stonework of the bridge, a testament to the strength of Hemp!

Saint Céneri le Gérei, France

 

[billycw]

'Marihuana patch' Detroit News Photograph, Michigan September 1971 (dated '71 but looks earlier?)

 

[billycw]

"Old Woman Hicks Smoking Her Pipe." She is wearing calico dress with blanket around her lower half, her beaded pipe bag is in front of her, leather satchel by her side. Pipe looks to be wrapped with leather or cord. Postcard from 1920's

 

[billycw]

Courtesan Blowing Smoke in Man's Face, by Suzuki Harunobu. Shunga (Japanese erotic art) woodblock print, Edo period 1769–70

 

[billycw]

"Ganja - Thai Massage"


Like a wafting scent, you don't have to know what it is to know you want one!

Sign at train station in Ganja (Gəncə), Azerbaijan

 

[billycw]

The original Breakin: No Electric Boogaloo



Workers called "Garzuler" break the village's hemp crop. Carmagnola, Italy. date unknown (I think around 1910)

 

[geneva_sativa]

That looks like something out of a dream !

Reminds me like Strega Nona of Hemp, heh heh.

That Colombian Boogaloo for sure Electric, Si Senor

 

[billycw]

Reminds me like Strega Nona of Hemp, heh heh.

Had to look that one up, spot on

 

[billycw]

'Moorish Court Reception', Ladies Smoking & Drinking, Algiers, Africa 1900

 

[billycw]

Miner panning for gold with his dog, Alaska, 1916

 

[billycw]

"Messrs. Gunning, Thornton, Wood and Garden relaxing in Bustine, Persia. Mr. Wood is smoking a hookah pipe." Bustine, Iran 1910

 

[kaochiu]

The original Breakin: No Electric Boogaloo



Workers called "Garzuler" break the village's hemp crop. Carmagnola, Italy. date unknown (I think around 1910)

Reckon it should either be 1914 (1st WW) or men at that village were all gone to the pub.

 

[billycw]

Reckon it should either be 1914 (1st WW) or men at that village were all gone to the pub.

Think your about right, men would at least move the hemp around for them if not otherwise detained. Would be a rough night in the village if they were all day drinking