Jim Nolan's Blog

Berlin, Germany Photograph, 1936

My grandfather Bengt Paul enjoying a stogie. I don't know what these photos were taken for, but they look professionally lit to me. What a beautiful suit he's wearing. Click to enlarge. 

German Cabinet Card, 1914

My great-uncle, Robert Koenig, an officer in the German Navy. Robert's ship was torpedoed toward the end of WWI and he died. The photo is pasted onto the card, not laminated. To see cabinet cards of Harry and his then fiancee Auguste Seigesmund, click here.

Jinan, China Cabinet Card, circa 1904

A cabinet card from approximately 1904 when my great-grandfather Harry Koenig was a German naval surgeon in Tsingtau, China. The photo is pasted onto the card, instead of laminated onto it. I asked a neighbor and China expert, Professor Richard Belsky of Hunter College, where he thought it was. Rick replied:

"Very interesting. I think your photo must be of Jinan, the provincial capital of Shandong. Tsingdao itself didn't have a wall, and the walls in the picture are very impressive city walls, such as one would expect from a major administrative center like a provincial capital. The wall doesn't exist anymore, most city walls in China were torn down in the years since unfortunately. It is hard to tell but it seems that the photo shows the area in the foreground flooding, and I know the Jinan moat did flood at times.  German influence was great in Jinan, there was a German concession there, and the Germans built a railroad from Tsingtao to Jinan (completed in 1904), so it makes sense that your great-grandfather would have spent time been there."

"Here are some photos of Jinan for comparison. The first two are different shots of the Jinan wall - note the water in the foreground of the first one."

 

Stockholm, Sweden Subway Poster, 1956

I found this shot last night. I think my Uncle Heye took it, or maybe my grandfather. A terrific poster ("Blame Yourself if you don't tan with Nivea Creme") and a terrific photo.

Chris Nolan, Vejbystrand, Sweden, August 1970

My brother sailing on the Rappa Paula with my cousin Mikael. I love the overalls, borrowed from the cousins. A great shot of Chris lost in the moment. To see a home movie of Vejbytstrand in 1970, see below.

 

Bengt Paul and Grandkids, Stockholm, Sweden 1960

That's my grandfather Bengt with my cousins Feffe and Mikael Paul and my sister Lisa. Lisa was visiting Sweden with my mother. I like Bengt's shoes. That's my dad's handwriting on the back of the photo. He kept meticulous records of us growing up, and I have dozens of letters from Dad to Bengt from the '50s, '60s and '70s. He was a good-son-in-law and has given me a wealth of priceless (to me, anyway) family history to go through. I'm guessing this picture was taken my my Uncle Heye.

Bengt Paul Photo, Gotland, Sweden 1971

My grandfather, nattily dressed as always. More about Bengt here.

Mom Cartoon by Isabella Bannerman

 More Isabella here.

My Gift for Snow Shoveling: New Audio Essay

 My mother can shovel better than you can. Photo from early 1970s.

 Click to hear Shovel Ready 

House Guest Cartoon by Isabella Bannerman

More Bannerman here.