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Authored by Society president George Meiser IX |
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SIX News-Bits of Reading-Berks historical
interest.... ============================================ 1- Rare, early Rdg. Hospital doll listed on eBay 2- Jack Keller, Rdg. comic book illustrator, dies at 80 3- Rdg. Sym. Orch. archives now available on-line 4- Paperbound historical book on Washington Twp. coming 5- Leinbach family history to be received shortly 6- There was no BCTV Historical Society program Jan. 1 =================================== 1- Currently listed on eBay is a 12-inch tall, German-made, Herm Steiner, Reading-Hospital-nurse doll, circa 1910. Current bid is around $ 52. While your editor knows zilch about dolls, I can say that it’s a rather accurate representation, based on a photo of several nurses standing outside the old Reading Hospital, Front and Spring Sts., Reading, around 1912. 
Northwest Middle School (formerly Northwest Jr. High) occupies the old Reading Hospital site. The eBay number for the doll auction is 1948 781 424. The direct-access code is:- http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?MfcISAPICommand= ViewItem&item=1948781424 (Remember, if the line above appears broken into two parts because of its length, make the type smaller so that it fits on one line before highlighting it to access the eBay site.) The auction ends Sunday night. Here’s hoping a local doll collector gets Nurse. It would be a shame to have her leave Berks. Incidentally, she needs some repairs--under her skirt! =================================== 2- Today’s Reading Eagle reported the death of Jack R. Keller, retired illustrator of comic books, in St. Joe’s Hospital, January 2nd, at age 80. He had been a patient since Dec. 17. Keller, latterly of Brighton Ave., Pennside, had been a free-lance cartoonist/illustrator since 1941. He illustrated Kid Colt, Outlaw for Marvel Comics from 1952 to 1964. In addition to drawing war stories for comics, he was well known for his renderings of hot rods and racing cars. After setting aside his drawing board, Keller sold cars for Marshall Chevrolet, Rdg. His last employment was as a part-time salesman for Fun Stuff Hobbies and Kiddie Kar Kollectibles, both of Reading. He was born in Reading, graduated from West Rdg. H.S. in 1940, and will be laid to rest at Forest Hills, Reiffton. He is survived by two sons, Richard of Mount Penn and Robert, who lives in Portland, Conn. A sister, Vivian Riegel, resides in Sinking Spring. ================================= 3- The Reading Symphony Orchestra, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary this season, now has its archives on-line. Virtually every work played since 1913 is listed. http://www.readingsymphony.org/archive.asp It’s interesting to see how often Berks Countians appeared as guest artists. Those of you with a musical background and of a certain age will recognize such locals as Virginia Zug, Willy Richter, Gertrude Sternbergh, Hans Nix, William Maier, Chester Wittell, etc. Also fascinating is the listing of world famous musical entertainers. Northwest Middle School (formerly Northwest Jr. High) occupies the old Reading Hospital site. The eBay number for the doll auction is 1948 781 424. The direct-access code is:- http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?MfcISAPICommand= ViewItem&item=1948781424 (Remember, if the line above gets broken into two parts because of its length, make the type smaller so that it fits on one line before highlighting it to access the eBay site.) The auction ends Sunday night. Here’s hoping a local doll collector gets Nurse. It would be a shame to have her leave Berks. =================================== 2- Today’s Reading Eagle reported the death of Jack R. Keller, retired illustrator of comic books, in St. Joe’s Hospital, January 2nd, at age 80. He had been a patient since Dec. 17. Keller, latterly of Brighton Ave., Pennside, had been a free-lance cartoonist/illustrator since 1941. He illustrated Kid Colt, Outlaw for Marvel Comics from 1952 to 1964. In addition to drawing war stories for comics, he was well known for his renderings of hot rods and racing cars. After setting aside his drawing board, Keller sold cars for Marshall Chevrolet, Rdg. His last employment was as a part-time salesman for Fun Stuff Hobbies and Kiddie Kar Kollectibles, both of Reading. He was born in Reading, graduated from West Rdg. H.S. in 1940, and will be laid to rest at Forest Hills, Reiffton. He is survived by two sons, Richard of Mount Penn and Robert, who lives in Portland, Conn. A sister, Vivian Riegel, resides in Sinking Spring. ================================= 3- The Reading Symphony Orchestra, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary this season, now has its archives on-line. Virtually every work played since 1913 is listed. http://www.readingsymphony.org/archive.asp It’s interesting to see how often Berks Countians appeared as guest artists. Those of you with a musical background and of a certain age will recognize such locals as Virginia Zug, Willy Richter, Gertrude Sternbergh, Hans Nix, William Maier, Chester Wittell, etc. Also fascinating is the listing of world famous musicians and the exact date of their appearance and what they performed. It’s amazing who trod the boards of the old Rajah. ================================ 4- Washington Twp.--which includes Barto, Dale Forge, Eshbach, Bechtelsville, and Bally--recently issued a paperbound book that includes a good supply of history, maps, and illustrations of homes and landmark sites. As I had the book in my hands for only about 20 minutes, courtesy of a friend at the Limekiln Post Office, it wasn’t long enough to accurately assess the full merits of the publication. A full report is forthcoming. ========================================== 5- A new Leinbach family history is on its way--fairly soon. Expect a review of same fairly soon. ============================ 6- The Historical Society’s BCTV television program is on "live" the first Wednesday of each month at 7. Because the 1st was New Year’s Day, the television station was closed--so no program. The program returns Wednesday, Feb. 5th. http://www.berkshistory.org/realaudio/hill.ram ============= gmmix ===== end ===== |
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