Browse Items (444 total)

Frying' Pan Jack picture frame

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Photo shows Fryin' Pan Jack in 1973 at Albert Lee (Alfred Lee), MN railroad yard. The chip art frame was made by a hobo. Tramp art is a style of woodworking which emerged in America the latter half of the nineteenth century. Some of tramp art's…

Cigarette box

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Color description: orange, geometric shapes and patterns

Matchstick house

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Delicate tramp art made from used matches and glue. Artist created a representation of a slave house build on wealthy plantation.

Hobo bottlecap figure

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Tramp art, small figure of hobo with arms made from bottlecaps. Small box of mismatch items is a part of the hobo figure.

Inquiry 1973 for hobo king

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List of 103 questions given to candidates for hobo king. Used to determine authenticity of hoboing.

"How It All Began" pamphlet

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Brief history of the Britt Hobo Convetion and Tourists Union 63, beginning in 1900.

King of hoboes buried near tracks

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Printed newspaper article announcing the death of Mountain Dew. Page frayed, very delicate.

Interview with Connecticut Tootsie

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Conversation with Connecticut Tootsie about her experiences hoboing, first time freight hopping, being elected hobo queen, and her involvement with the Hobo Convention in Britt.

Interview with Virginia Slim, Penny Pincher, Professor Bazinga, and Shutter Bug

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Conversation about Virginia Slim's life on the rails, 1950's-1980's. His experiences at the Hobo Convention over the years. Virginia Slim sings some of his favorite songs and shares some of his favorite jokes.

Interview with Bazzman and K-bar

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Featuring newly elected hobo king, Bazzman, seasoned rider K-bar, and traveler Sloth. Discussion of Bazzman's life on the road, his work organizing the young riders, including keeping count of the last remaining hoboes who are freight hopping.…