The Bookstore-Slash-Skate-Shop Next to Ballerina Farm
The first book I sell on our first day in business is a used copy of Fart Proudly: Writings of Benjamin Franklin You Never Read in School, for seven dollars.
Vicki Hilbert: Elegant Face of 1960s Fashion
Vicki Hilbert was an American fashion model active in the mid-1960s, known for her refined features and sophisticated presence.
Hilbert appeared on the cover of British Vogue in October 1965 and was photographed by leading photographers of the era, including Norman Parkinson and Richard Avedon. Her work in high-fashion editorials for Vogue and other publications captured the clean, elegant aesthetic of the period.
With her poised style and classic beauty, Hilbert became a recognizable face of mid-1960s fashion photography. These vintage photos beautifully capture the refined elegance and timeless style of Vicki Hilbert, a sophisticated model of the 1960s.
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| Vicki Hilbert in cashmere cardigan with matching wool skirt by Pringle, Vogue, November 1, 1965 |
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| Vicki Hilbert in black velvet evening pyjamas striped in jet slashed to the waist with a huge pink rose and tied satin ribbon by Catherine Scott, coiffure by Kenneth, mules by Herbert Levine, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, November 15, 1965 |
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| Vicki Hilbert in ginger-and-beige ‘tooth, wool and leather caped suit, the cape is lined in leather, by Tiffeau & Busch, jewelry by Vendôme, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper’s Bazaar, August 1965 |
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| Vicki Hilbert in greenish-beige wool smocked blouson top and gathered skirt by B.H. Wragge, jewelry by Vendôme, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper’s Bazaar, August 1965 |
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| Vicki Hilbert in pullover sweater and matching hat by B.H. Wragge, Harper’s Bazaar, September 1965 |
Amazing Photographs of Alfred Hitchcock Taken by Gjon Mili on the Set of “Shadow of a Doubt” in 1942
In 1942, legendary photographer Gjon Mili captured a famous series of stroboscopic multiple-exposure photographs of director Alfred Hitchcock on the Hollywood set of his psychological thriller, Shadow of a Doubt.
Mili, a pioneer in using electronic flash and stroboscopic light to freeze rapid movement, photographed Hitchcock demonstrating various directorial actions, such as walking and pointing into the distance. The resulting images overlay multiple frames of Hitchcock’s silhouette into a single, fluid composition, perfectly mirroring the dramatic, suspenseful essence of the filmmaker’s work.
Mili utilized high-speed stroboscopic photography, a technique he heavily developed while working at MIT alongside Harold Edgerton. The photos were shot for LIFE Magazine to showcase Hitchcock’s highly animated and precise physical style of directing behind the scenes.
Filmed in Santa Rosa, California, in mid-1942, Shadow of a Doubt (released in 1943) is often cited by Hitchcock as one of his personal favorite projects, featuring Teresa Wright and Joseph Cotten in a dark story of small-town intrigue.
Stunning Portraits of Sharon Tate From “Don’t Make Waves” (1967)
These stunning portraits capture the radiant beauty of Sharon Tate during the filming of the 1967 comedy Don’t Make Waves. Shot on set and in promotional sessions, the photographs showcase her natural charm, luminous smile, and effortless glamour that made her one of the most captivating stars of the late 1960s.
Whether posing in stylish period costumes or relaxing between takes, Tate’s presence shines through with a mix of innocence and sophistication. These images offer a delightful glimpse into her brief but unforgettable career at the height of her Hollywood appeal.
John Wojtowicz Posing in Front of the Chase Manhattan Bank in Brooklyn He Tried to Rob, 1978
John Wojtowicz (also known as “Littlejohn” or “The Dog”) standing outside the Chase Manhattan Bank branch in Gravesend, Brooklyn (at 450 Avenue P), that he tried to rob on August 22, 1972. He is wearing a black T-shirt reading “I ROBBED THIS BANK.” The photo was taken after his release from federal prison in April 1978; he returned to the site to pose for pictures and sign autographs, capitalizing on his notoriety.
Wojtowicz (then 27), a Vietnam veteran, former Chase Manhattan teller, and married father of two who was also involved in New York’s gay scene, planned the heist primarily to fund gender-reassignment surgery for his lover, Ernest Aron (later Elizabeth Debbie Eden / Liz Eden). Aron had attempted suicide, and Wojtowicz believed the surgery would help. He recruited two accomplices, Salvatore (“Sal”) Naturile and Robert (“Bobby”) Westenberg. After some failed scouting attempts at other banks (and after watching The Godfather that day for inspiration), they targeted this branch near closing time.
Westenberg lost his nerve and fled. Wojtowicz and Naturile entered, presented a note inspired by The Godfather (“This is an offer you can’t refuse”), and took employees hostage. What was meant to be a quick job turned into a chaotic 14-hour standoff. Police and FBI surrounded the bank; a large crowd of onlookers and media gathered. Wojtowicz negotiated, played to the crowd (throwing money, demanding food and pizza, etc.), and demanded to see Aron (who was brought from a hospital). The vault had limited cash; they seized roughly $38,000 in cash plus traveler’s checks.
The situation ended when the hostages and robbers were taken to Kennedy Airport under the pretense of providing a plane. FBI agents shot and killed Naturile; Wojtowicz surrendered. He was sentenced to 20 years but served about five (released in 1978).
The story became a media sensation and inspired the 1975 film Dog Day Afternoon (directed by Sidney Lumet, with Al Pacino as a character based on Wojtowicz and John Cazale as the Naturile figure). Wojtowicz sold the rights and used some of the money to help fund Eden’s surgery; she had the operation in 1973. Their relationship later ended; Eden died of AIDS-related illness in 1987.
After release, Wojtowicz struggled to find steady work, he even applied unsuccessfully for a security job at the same bank. He leaned into his fame: standing outside the bank signing autographs and posing in the “I Robbed This Bank” shirt, as seen in the 1978 photo. He lived much of the rest of his life in Brooklyn (often with his mother), had further legal troubles, and died in 2006. A 2013 documentary, The Dog, covers his life in more detail.
