Tehuantepec Village

from SFPL

References

SFPL's photos

Anyone from the village show up in this panorama?

Why Palms?

from The Palm Tree,
one of many colorful and somewhat fanciful palm pictures

One question that is often asked at our palm tree talks is: why palm trees? There are many answers - some practical and some romantic.

I found a little book from 1863 that had some very romantic pictures of palms and this one matched somewhat the South Gardens at the PPIE. Coincidence? Perhaps? But if you compare it to the picture below, you might wonder if one of the architects had this book on his or her desk.

Plants and Machines at the PPIE

Love the placement of succulents and machines
C.C. Moore's Scrapbooks, pic

From Story of the Exposition, volume 4
Inspiration for Metropolis?

C.C. Morse, the "Largest wholesale seedman and seed growers on Pacific Coast"

C.C. Morse had a named spot in the Horticulture gardens.

From the Official Catalogue of Exhibits: "Morse, C. C. & Co., San Francisco, Cal, Seed Growers and Dealers, 4th St., cor Av. D, Blocks 3 and 4, Horticultural Gardens. Collection of Annuals, Sweet Peas and various flowers, Roses, Dahlias, newest and best varieties; Hyacinths, Daffodils, Tulips and various Holland Bulbs. Onion Lettuce, Radish, Pumpkin, Tomato,  Corn, etc. Alfalfa, Clovers and Grasses. Largest wholesale seedman and seed growers on Pacific Coast. Seeds by mail — catalog free. Morse's seeds on sale by all leading dealers west of Kansas. Morse's seeds are all tested. Morse's seeds noted for quality. Retail Store, 125 Market St., San Francisco." 

References

• Official Catalogue of Exhibits
• 1907 catalog
• Seed Growing in California, Lester Morse,  California's Magazine, v.1, no.1. July 1915
• Morse mansion
• another

Cuban Plants on the Move, Mycrocycus 1000 years old?

From Botanical Gazette, August, 1907

Under the great dome the visitor finds a tropical garden the exhibit of Cuba. Growing herein is an elaborate and representative collection of trees and other plant forms which made fourteen carloads when brought from tropical Cuba. There is mycrocycus 1000 years old, royal palms, giant tree ferns, tropical lilies, bamboo, palms, bread fruit, banana trees, mangoes, guanabano, cocoanut trees, and date palms in actual bearing and the finest specimens of crotons ever shown in this country.

What is a Mycrocycus?

Giant Chinese Pistache Tree with Famous Plant Explorer

From American Fruits, October, 1916

Two favorites here: large trees and Frank N. Meyer.

We have many Chinese Pistache trees planted around Fremont.

Stereoscopes and Stereopticons - what the difference?

Stereopticon show from Art History

I see these words used interchangeably.

Stereopticon is special two-lamp magic lantern, that allows operator to have dissolves. It is not 3D.

Stereoscope is a viewer that allow you to look at two stereo pairs in 3D.

How much did that palm tree weigh, did you say?

As much as:
A. the New York state "Big Cheese"
B. the "Mammoth Typewriter" by Underwood
C. An actual Wooly Mammoth
D. 1915 Model T Ford
E. None of the above
F. All of the above

Sepia, what is it, really?

Leonardo da Vinci used sepia ink, according to wikipedia

I really didn't know what sepia is, except that old photos are often brown. I assumed that was from age. The color "sepia" is the red-brown color of cuttlefish ink. The word "sepia" comes from the Greek word for cuttlefish. So what does this have to do with photographs?