Amazing Photos of the 1953 Chrysler Special by Ghia

One of the first Chrysler show cars designed by Virgil Exner and built by Italian coachbuilder Ghia, the appropriately named Chrysler Special was first exhibited at the Paris Salon in October 1952. Built on a New Yorker chassis shortened by six inches, it featured unusually high radiused wheel arches that extended almost to the top of the fenders, smooth sides that flowed from bumper to bumper with only a small “kick” in the rear fender curve, rounded headlights, and a broad chromed trapezoidal grille.

Its subtle yet muscular lines made the Special the hit of the show, and M. Ladouch, proprietor of the French Chrysler importers France Motors, realized that there was a willing market for a small number of copies, for which he secured the support of Chrysler export manager C.B. Thomas.

Ghia’s “production” Chrysler Special was based upon the original show car but built upon a standard-wheelbase, 125.5-inch New Yorker platform and with a modified semi-fastback roofline to accommodate four full-sized adults. The first of these limited-production, hand-built cars was made for C.B. Thomas himself, and was followed by another 18 cars, six for customers of France Motors and another dozen for clients of Ghia. All were originally delivered in Europe.

The Chrysler Special continues to influence the company’s designs to this day, making it one of the most significant of all Chrysler automobiles. Here below is a set of amazing photos of the 1953 Chrysler Special by Ghia.

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20 Amazing Photographs of Roberta Flack on Stage in the 1970s

Roberta Flack (born February 10, 1937), the beloved, Grammy-winning 1970s singer best known for such hits as “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and “Killing Me Softly” died on Monday (Feb. 24) at 88. At press time a statement from Flack’s spokesperson revealed that she died peacefully, with no official cause of death available.

“We are heartbroken that the glorious Roberta Flack passed away this morning, February 24, 2025,” a statement from her spokesperson read. “She died peacefully surrounded by her family. Roberta broke boundaries and records. She was also a proud educator.”

Flack revealed in November 2022 that she had been diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, and could no longer sing. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a progressive illness that impacts nerve cells and causes paralysis and death.

With her graceful presence, genre-crossing versatility and ability to give voice to the full range of love’s highs and lows, Flack is widely considered one of soul and R&B’s greatest ever artists. She had several No. 1 hits in the 1970s and produced 20 studio albums. Although Flack wrote some of her own songs and collaborated on others, she considered herself as an interpreter of the music.

The singer won four Grammys and was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020. She was the first artist to win two consecutive Record of the Year trophies for 1973’s “First Time I Ever Saw Your Face” and 1974’s “Killing Me Softly with His Song.”

After suffering from a stroke in 2016, she gave up touring two years later. A PBS documentary about her life, American Masters: Roberta Flack, was released in January 2023.

“I’ve always tried to express myself musically from a place of complete honesty in the hope that each person can find his or her own story when they listen in a way that helps them to feel their own truth,” she told Forbes.

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A Group of Roller Skating Friends Pose for a Photo, England, 1926

In 1926, a group of roller-skating friends in England gathered for a photograph, capturing a joyful moment during the height of the Roaring Twenties. With laughter and camaraderie, they showcased a popular pastime that brought people together in an era of excitement and change.

By the early 20th century, roller skating had become a favorite recreational activity across England and beyond. Skating rinks were opening in cities and towns, offering a lively space for social gatherings, music, and fun. Outdoor skating was just as popular, with promenades and smooth streets providing the perfect setting for skaters to glide along, enjoying the fresh air and freedom of movement.

The young friends in the photograph would have been dressed in the latest 1920s styles. Women likely wore elegant flapper-style dresses, featuring flowing fabrics and intricate beading, along with their fashionable bobbed hairstyles. Men might have sported smart suits, complete with ties and hats, or opted for more relaxed attire suitable for an afternoon of skating. Their roller skates, typically made of sturdy leather with metal wheels, represented the best in skating technology at the time.

The 1920s were an era of cultural transformation, with new forms of entertainment sweeping across England. Jazz music, dance halls, and motion pictures were captivating young people, and roller skating fit perfectly into this energetic lifestyle. It provided an opportunity to exercise, socialize, and express individuality through graceful movements and daring tricks.

Beautiful Portrait Photos of Apollonia van Ravenstein as a Model in the 1970s

Born 1954 in Geldrop, Netherlands, Dutch retired model and actress Apollonia van Ravenstein began her career at the age of 15, and became one of the most sought-after models of the 1970s, modeling for Halston and Diane von Fürstenberg. She appeared on multiple Vogue magazine covers, including British Vogue and Vogue Italia.

Apollonia van Ravenstein had modeling contracts with photographers Norman Parkinson, Irving Penn, and Richard Avedon. Parkinson called her the “maddest, funniest, hardest-working model who ever earned a fortune.” She was the muse of photographer Ara Gallant and they often partied together.

In the 1980s, van Ravenstein had roles in the films Seraphita’s Diary (1982), Nothing Lasts Forever (1984), and Flodder (1986). She also appeared in Anton Corbijn’s 1986 music video “Golden Earrings Quiet Eyes.” After retiring from modeling and acting, she began working as a hostess for the Holland America Line luxury cruise ships in the late 1990s.

Take a look at these beautiful photos to see portraits of a young Apollonia van Ravenstein as a model in the 1970s.

Apollonia Van Ravenstein photographed by Arthur Elgort, Paris, 1970

Apollonia van Ravenstein in a karate wrap and trousers by Loveable, photo by Norman Parkinson, Vogue, 1971

Apollonia van Ravenstein photographed by Norman Parkinson for British Vogue, 1971

Apollonia van Ravenstein photographed by Norman Parkinson for British Vogue, 1971

Apollonia van Ravenstein wearing Yves Saint Laurent, Rive Gauche, photo by Norman Parkinson, Vogue, 1971

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George Harrison Had a Great Sense of Humor, Here Are 10 Funny Facts About George That Will Make You Smile!

George Harrison (February 25, 1943 – November 29, 2001) was an English musician, singer and songwriter who achieved international fame as the lead guitarist of the Beatles. Harrison had a wonderfully dry and witty sense of humor. He often displayed it in interviews, song lyrics, and even through projects like Monty Python’s Life of Brian, which he helped fund through his production company, HandMade Films.

Harrison was known for poking fun at the seriousness of the music industry, like when he appeared on Rutland Weekend Television (which led to The Rutles, a parody of The Beatles). His music video for “Got My Mind Set on You” even had a funny twist, with an older man dancing unexpectedly.

George Harrison had a great sense of humor, and there are plenty of funny and quirky facts about him! Here are 10 that will make you smile:

1. He Pranked Phil Collins: George tricked Phil Collins into thinking he had played on “All Things Must Pass” by giving him a fake, terrible drum recording years later. Phil believed it was real and was mortified—until George revealed it was a joke!

Portrait of a young Phil Collins in the 1960s.

2. His Love for Monty Python: George was such a huge Monty Python fan that he literally funded Life of Brian when the original backers pulled out. He mortgaged his house to do it, calling it “the most expensive cinema ticket ever.”

Eric Idle and George Harrison on the set of Monty Python's Life of Brian, 1978.

3. He Disguised Himself at a Beatles Tribute Event: In 1974, he sneaked into a Hollywood event honoring the Beatles by dressing in a wig and fake mustache. No one recognized him!

4. He Was a Gardening Addict: George was so obsessed with gardening that Tom Petty once said, “He’d rather talk about hedges than guitars.”

5. He Trolled Paul McCartney With a Ukulele: He loved the ukulele and would play one endlessly, sometimes just to annoy Paul McCartney.

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Vintage Posters Illustrated by Gaspar Camps i Junyent in the 1900s

Gaspar Camps i Junyent (1874–1942) was a Spanish draughtsman, illustrator and painter, influenced by modernism and advertising. His work is characterized by modernist decorations and exuberance of forms, visible in the numerous drawings published by Camps in the magazine Album Salón (1897-1908) and in the advertising posters of his time in Paris.

In 1899, Camps exhibited at the Sala Parés and founded the magazine Pluma y Lápiz. Between 1901 and 1903, he worked on works from the Ambos Mundos collection. For a long time, he worked as artistic director of the French advertising house Sirven and did many commercial works often using his wife, Cristina Dotti, as a model.

The French government awarded Gaspar Camps several Palmes académiques in 1934. On April 5, 1934, he received a tribute from the Association of Watercolorists of Catalonia, and on June 4, he was named an illustrious son of the city of Igualada. In 1941 and 1942, he exhibited with great success at Sala Busquets.

Here below is a set of vintage posters illustrated by Gaspar Camps i Junyent in the 1900s.

Bengaline, Peinture Émail Perfectionnée, circa 1900

Chemins de Fer d'Orléans et du Midi, Syndicat d'Initiative de Toulouse, circa 1900

Girl with lilacs and birds, circa 1900

Joven con rosas, circa 1900

Modernist girl, circa 1900

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40 Group Photos of Students and Teachers Posing Outside Their One-Room Schoolhouses From the Late 19th and Early 20th Centuries

One-room schoolhouses, or One-room schools, have been commonplace throughout rural portions of various countries, including Prussia, Norway, Sweden, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Portugal, and Spain. In most rural and small town schools, all of the students meet in a single room. There, a single teacher teaches academic basics to several grade levels of elementary-age children. Recent years have seen a revival of the format. One-room schoolhouses can also be found in developing nations and rural or remote areas undergoing colonization.

In the United States, one-room schools were used only in rural areas. As late as 1930 half of the nation’s school children lived in rural areas. About 65% of the nation’s school buildings were one-room, and they were attended by 30% of the rural students. Consolidation rapidly reduced their numbers in the 1920s and 1930s. They had a place in popular folklore, with one fondly recalling a, “little house, on a little ground, with a little equipment, where a little teacher at a little salary, for a little while, teaches little children little things.” A less romantic view by sociologist Newell Sims reported on the majority of rural schools of all sizes in the 1930s:

The utter inadequacy of the majority is the striking feature of rural school buildings. They are poorly situated, often without any grounds, or, with grounds that are grassless, treeless and beautyless. As structures they are poorly planned, poorly lighted, poorly heated, poorly seated, poorly equipped or virtually unequipped either for comfort or education, and poorly kept. Drinking water is not usually supplied. Sanitary arrangements and toilet facilities are as likely to be entirely lacking as to be provided in even a half-way decent manner.

Teachers in one-room schools were usually daughters of nearby farmers. They were recent graduates and spent a couple of years teaching before they quit to get married. The teachers were poorly prepared and needed to coach children of all ages/grades within one room.

A typical school day was 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with morning and afternoon recesses of 15 minutes each and an hour period for lunch. Transportation for children who lived too far to walk was often provided by horse-drawn kid hack or sulky, which could only travel a limited distance in a reasonable amount of time each morning and evening, or students might ride a horse, these being put out to pasture in an adjoining paddock during the day. In more recent times, students rode bicycles.

The vast majority of one-room schools have been torn down; a few were converted for other purposes. However, in a handful of rural communities, such as Mennonites and Amish, one-room or two-room schools survived longer. As of 2005, almost 400 one-rooms schools still operate in the United States.

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