Buster's First Day Cover

Popping in today with a "first day cover" of our hero, Buster Keaton. In case you don't know, a first day cover is a collectible so to speak. It is issued the first day a new postage stamp (or series of stamps) is released. It is usually an envelope or postcard with the stamp (cancelled) and some coordinating text or artwork. You can "Goggle" it for more detailed info and examples.

This is original art by me; my vision of a BK postage stamp and what the first day cover would look like. Disclaimer: the envelope and stamp below are totally made up, fake, false, bogus, have nothing to do with the USPS...

Kind of cool what one can do with printers, rubber stamps, and a little creativity.

Random Keaton Note #18

The original title of Sherlock, Jr. (1924) was The Misfit.

Keaton Vs. Surrealsim

Here is our latest video, Keaton Vs. Surrealism. We are joining Silent-ology's annual Buster Blogathon, February 18th and 19th. Hop on over and enjoy other "Buster" posts. If you're new here, feel free to root around in past posts and jump over to our Youtube channel (link at the right) to view our previous Buster tribute videos. Thanks for stopping in and Happy Blogathon-ing!

Valentine's Day 2019

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

From the opening sequence of Cops, 1922.

Random Keaton Note #17

Buster was officially a cryptographer during WWI, although he seems to have spent more time entertaining that "crypting."

Can you spot BK in the middle?

The Rapid Draughtsman

Here is a bit of Keatonablia I've never seen before. A c.1930 child's activity book called The Rapid Draughtsman. Made in Germany, the little book is the equivalent of today's "invisible coloring books." This antiquated version simply used a pencil (the edge of a coin might work too) to reveal an image on a blank page. Look what this page revealed.

Copies of this book are for sale. Here is the link with all the details, although there is no guarantee there will be another "Buster" contained within. 

Just A Reminder

Don't forget the 5th Annual Buster Keaton Blogathon coming up in February. Once again hosted by Silent-ology, it is scheduled for the 18th and 19th. You can click on the BK picture on the right side for more details. Silver 17 will be contributing a video showcasing the surrealism in Buster's silent films. And if the photo below, "Buster Di Milo," doesn't scream, surrealism, then I don't know what does.

Footnote: Did you know the proper name for the original statue is "Aphrodite of Milos?" Yep. It was created around 100 BC. Wow.

Random Keaton Note #16

Buster was set to appear in Shubert's Passing Show of 1917 in New York City when fate intervened, and he crossed paths with Roscoe Arbuckle.

Coney Island 1917

I think everyone is happy with Buster's choice.

Did You Know...

...you can read Buster's autobiography, My Wonderful World of Slapstick, online (and for free too)? Here is the link to the Media History Digital Library. And, in case you're interested, there are also other period articles and ads from magazines concerning BK at the same site.

Happy reading!

Uncomic Moments

We hope 2019 is off to a good start for you! We have the latest Buster tribute video up and running. You might recall the working title for this was But Seriously, Buster. Obviously, we came up with something a little more fitting. Enjoy!

Good-bye 2018

I'm sure most Keaton fans have seen this image before. Now it is 90 years old! 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!