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Found some LIFE Magazines from 1968

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Mike Loftus

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We are fortunate to have a large garage which was built in 1900 when the house was built. I’m sure it used to be a carriage house. On the first floor there is enough room for two vehicles, two motorcycles, a woodwork shop and additional storage for lumber supplies. The second level is about 2/3rds of the area of the first floor level. There are also stairs that lead down to the basement level where there is a barn door that leads to the back.

GE just announces the Bluecoat with Green Dots flashcube

I needed to do some reorganizing to optimize the space. There were some old built-in shelves in several places in the barn that needed to come out. When I removed one section of shelving I found these LIFE magazines. They had fallen behind the shelving and were rolled up together. They are in remarkably good shape for 55 years old. Who knows what I’ll find in the basement when I start cleaning that up.

At 35 cents a copy for a large 13-1/2″ x 10-1/2″ 80 page magazine, or 11 cents an issue if you subscribe, seems like a pretty good deal, but then again the median household was $7,700 in 1968 or $148 a week, so maybe not so cheap.

The advertisements are fun to look at. I remember using flashcubes in my camera. Lots of cigarette ads too.

There is an article in one of the magazines about The Thalidomide Generation. These are the children born in the late 1950s and early 1960s with misshapen limbs, dim hearing and other irremediable effects because of a tranquilizing drug their mothers use early in pregnancy. I remember seeing an episode of “Call the Midwife” that dealt with that topic. Very sad.

The NIXONS and the AGNEWS – FINALE AT MIAMI BEACH

Nixons’ Enjoyable Week in Florida

He had the Republican presidential nomination locked up from the start. With Maryland’s Agnew as a running mate, Richard Nixon launches a campaign to unite the nation.

LIFE August 16, 1968

STACK-UP – Danger and confusion of the air traffic jam

The Cluttered Airways

Air traffic in the U.S. hits a peak – and a breaking point. The controller’s job: hours of pressure

LIFE August 9, 1968

MOSCOW TO NEW YORK – NEW YORK TO MOSCOW
Aboard The First Flights

Aeroflot – Out To Make the Going Greatest

Direct air travel starts between Moscow and New York as Russians challenge the West for global business

LIFE July 26, 1968

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Comments

6 responses to “Found some LIFE Magazines from 1968”

  1. Chris Loftus Avatar
    Chris Loftus

    Really nice post Mike. The Frost/Nixon film is a really interesting movie to watch. Did you see it?

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. mikeloftusnh Avatar
      mikeloftusnh

      Thanks Chris! No, I haven’t seen the Frost/Nixon film. I can rent it. I’ll have to do that.

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  2. jppriestley Avatar
    jppriestley

    An excellent, nostalgia-inducing post, Mike. I remember subscribing (in my late teens) to Life Magazine for about a year, and also buying the Time Life book – a coffee table marvel, but without the coffee table! I, too, remember those flashcubes. There was an immediacy and rawness about taking photographs in those days which smartphones can never emulate. In 1968 I was only 10 and would have been (largely) oblivious to all the events portrayed on the front covers of the Life magazines you have shown. Do tell us all if you find any other goodies in your tidying and renovations!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. mikeloftusnh Avatar
      mikeloftusnh

      Thank you, James! I used to have a Polaroid Instant Camera too. Surprisingly, I see that they are still being sold. I have tended to use my iPhone to take photographs for the last ten years or so, although now I have switched back to primarily using a Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS that I have owned about 12 years. I didn’t use it much because of the short battery life. It does take pretty decent photographs though and has a 10X optical zoom. I bought additional batteries for it and intend to use it for my blog. I just have to remember to take it with me! If I find any other goodies during renovations I’ll let you all know!

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  3. New Hampshire Garden Solutions Avatar
    New Hampshire Garden Solutions

    Great Post! I remember using those flashcubes too. I also remember the Nixons and Agnews, but I won’t go into that.
    It’s always great fun finding historical documents and antiques. Have fun digging around!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. mikeloftusnh Avatar
      mikeloftusnh

      Yes, I’m sure that there is a lot that could be said about the Nixons and the Agnews. I was living in the UK at the time. Interesting times were ahead when this article was published.

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