Comments on: Hobo Observed, Pier 88, New York City, 1957

By: Joesixtooth

Joesixtooth — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 02:06:09 +0000

Having been a kid during in the early ’50s, I can tell you from expirience, that what some of you think is, isn’t. That is SOOT on the young mans face put on no doubt with a cork burned and blackened by a match. Hobo costumes were the main standby back then if you could not get/afford a costume, or think of what to be on Halloween. For younger readers info, hobos road the rails in the time of steam locomotives burning coal, hence the soot.

By: robo

robo — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 17:07:37 +0000

I agree with Christine’s post–there’s something odd about Mr. Snooty..wait?!! I think Mr. Snooty is a girl…! Then again, maybe not….

By: Nichols

Nichols — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 01:33:16 +0000

Lookie here, a real live hobo party!
Charles even joined the fun.

http://www.lottaliving.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=12671

By: Tim Severs

Tim Severs — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 16:21:04 +0000

Wow! How times have changed!

By: Bob Brooks, Esq.

Bob Brooks, Esq. — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 14:48:54 +0000

Dear Charles,

That poor boy. Seems he got his hobo beard confused with the socially incorrect black face.

Reminds me of the “Dixie Daze” photo from one of your slide shows!

I hope our young fellow did no venture into the Harlem neighborhoods on his Trick or Treating rounds!

And by the way, don’t you just KNOW that the American Dental Association started this whole candy gobbling holiday? Just to drum up business.

Boo!

Bob

By: Charles Phoenix

Charles Phoenix — Sat, 28 Oct 2006 05:16:02 +0000

To David, To answer you question – The books on the left are 25cent Golden Books. The two legible titles are Christmas is Coming and American Presidents.
And To Bill, Thank you for your honesty! Note taken!

By: bill

bill — Sat, 28 Oct 2006 03:08:56 +0000

lousy slide this week…what is this?

By: DavidinBerkeley

DavidinBerkeley — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 22:03:03 +0000

Can anybody see what books or magazines are in the far left rack?

By: Christine

Christine — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 21:13:49 +0000

I am more disturbed by Mr. Snooty than Sooty-Faced Hobo, but I can’t quite put my finger on why. There is something not RIGHT there.

By: Miss Sharon

Miss Sharon — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 20:44:47 +0000

Never-Been-A-Hobo Charles!

Perhaps I’m a bit naive, but when did hobos take on blackface? Is this some kind of bizarre tradition wherein the fine art of whiskering the hobo is subtly blended onto the whole face to create a vaudevillian, minstrely, hobo? Our young Mr. Riding the Rails has, at the very least, taken his hobo to another level … including, it seems extensive hand injuries. Are those gloves are bandages?

Simply put: my favorite part of the slide is Mr. Sassy Pants with his hand on his hip surveying the situation. That boy has an attitude. And frankly, I love it! I believe I just might take up the same pose if I am confronted with a hobo in blackface. I do think such a sight requires a little bit of sassy consideration.

Perhaps the young Hobo With A Cigar and Pants Patches has been invited to a “Hobo Hike” as suggested in _The Good Housekeeping Party Book_ (1958). It’s the kind of party that includes Gorp (that’s good ol’ raisins and peanuts, natch!), “nose bags”, and faux knives!

Hobo Hike

Invitations: Boys (and girls, too) love this active kind of party. Ask each guest to come as patched and tattered as he can.

Post a sign (crayon on a piece of cardboard) on front door, stating “TRAMPS — BACK DOOR, PLEASE”. Present each child with his stock in trade: stick with a gay bandanna “nose bag” (filled with part of lunch) tied on the end (hobo sandwiches, sugar cookies, raisins, and salted peanuts).

Lunch

Wayfarer Stew (any of your favorites will do)
Hobo Sandwiches (just plain bread ‘n’ butter)
Raisins and Salted Peanuts for Nibbling
Sugar Cookies
Cups of Milk

Off to Hobo Haven: As soon as hikers and you or Dad set off (don’t make their trek too long), chauffeur the pot of stew, lots of chilled milk, and the necessary utensils to the spot you have chosen. Make it a place where a fire can be built, and have the fire blazing merrily when the hikers arrive.

When the hikers reach Hobo Haven, let them investigate their surroundings for awhile. Then serve stew, and open “nose bags.” Serve milk in paper or tin cups.

By the Fire: Afterward, in front of the fire, ask each child to imagine aloud the last freight-hopping trip he took. Help his imagination with a candy treat, and reward the biggest “whopper” with a rubber knife or other side arms — the play kind, of course.

Back Home: If you think the children will be too tired to hike back, plan to have a car to take the weary hobos home.

Perhaps Our Inappropriately Darkened Hobo has strayed away from Hobo Haven! He wandered into a local store looking for a place to refill his nose bag! Or maybe he’s just on his way home and after all that storytelling and Gorp eating, he might just lunge at Snooty Looks with his rubber knife! “How’s that for freight-hopping, Mr. Not Invited on the Hobo Hike?”

xoxo!
Miss Sharon