Props in the last century

I just wanted to share some great old prop photographs I’ve come across on the Life photo archive hosted on Google. Remember, it’s also a great place to find primary photographic research since the invention of photography.

© Time Inc., by Allan Grant, 1956

Look at the amazing craftsmanship it took to create these miniature human figures.

© Time Inc., by Margaret Bourke-White, 1937

Propman A. D. Kuehl holds a breakaway club, constructed of balsa wood, with toothpicks holding it together.

© Time Inc., by Margaret Bourke-White, 1937

Propman R. B. Berscheid cleans one of the many guns in his props storage. Propmen dressed much snappier back then.

© Time Inc., by Ralph Crane, circa 1950s

This one doesn’t have much information cutting blocks of material. My guess is that it’s rubber to make fake rocks. Urethane foam was not commercially available until the mid 1950s.

© Time Inc., by Margaret Bourke-White, 1937

This looks like an interesting play. Seriously though, check out the trick knives on the right used for stabbing effects.

© Time Inc., by Ralph Crane, circa 1950s

That prop box is exactly like the ones we still use at the Public Theatre, as well as ones I’ve seen at most of the other theatres I’ve worked.

© Time Inc., by Margaret Bourke-White, 1937

Propman Dan Harrison spins artificial spider webs, a process I wish I knew a lot more about.

© Time Inc., by Ralph Crane, 1965

It must have taken a lot of wood to build that giant row boat filled with massive puppet-men.

© Time Inc., by John Dominis, 1963

And finally, here is a picture of me carrying two real rocks. Wait, it’s actually a picture of a propman carrying two rubber prop rocks. Props rock!

Mid-Century Kitchens

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Actors Theatre of Louisville Props Shop

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20th Century Props Closing

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Illustrated Categories of Props

A diagram illustrating the various types of props.......