Researching an illustrator

Over a year ago I purchased a set of 3 children's records from (I'm guessing here) the 30's or 40's. This was a nostalgic purchase, since one of the records was my favorite as a child - I played it to death, and somewhere along the way it was either lost, damaged or thrown out.

I actually got more than I was looking for, in that the record I wanted was included in Album No. 6 of Rocking Horse Records and they're in a little album of sorts with lovely illustrations by Carleton F. McCutcheon.

A google search was fruitless. Does anyone have any suggestions on where to find out more about Mr. McCutcheon?

I haven't been able to play my records yet, since I guess I've got to now purchase an old record player, which will probably set me back quite a bit. Actually, once I get one and play my records on it, *I'll* become an old record player.

Thanks,

It did turn up a 'family' of illustrators, all with the last name McCutcheon. John T. seems to be the most-mentioned.

Most (not all) illustrators of children's items worked in the employ of publishers, and never really established themselves as noted artists.

Ha!

But...I'm curious why you want to buy an *old* record player. All you need is a turntable, which you can buy at any large electronics store. Plug it into the back of your amplifier/audio-visual center, and voila! If you're not an audiophile, you can get an adequate turntable for only about $200-$300 (maybe less).

My Mom has one, but I hated to use it in fear of ruining the needle - however, she never uses it at all, so maybe I'll give it a shot. I really want to hear The Old Elm Tree again.

Does your Mom have a new needle in her record player?

Before I played anything, I'd replace the needle. I'd worry more about ruining a record (even if it had only memory value) than an easily-replaceable needle.

Ooh, good point, Kris. I never thought of it that way. Thanks.

That's nicer than the one I bought two years ago
http://www.linn.co.uk/spec_sound/products.cfm? range=turntable&referer... p://www.linn.co.uk/#6

I can't come close to buying something like that. Got a spare one to send me? I had to buy a new car today

Maybe a tattoo needle, or knitting needle?

Nicer than mine
http://www.linn.co.uk/spec_sound/products.cfm? range=turntable&referer... p://www.linn.co.uk/#6

Probably costs almost as much as the new car I had to buy today?

If you've got the needle, I've got the sharpener: http://ftldesign.com/images/NeedleSharpenerKacti.jpg

Clamp the needle in the chuck, twirl the red handle, and the needle is automatically rotated while simultaneously being spun around the annular sandpaper surface.

The base of the sharpener is also the lid of the storage case, and triples as a record duster. U.S. Patent 2,099,179, 1937.

And from the other side of the ocean, this model by BCN (price 3/6), working on a similar principle:

You may want to contact the Kerlan Collection at the University of Minnesota, a collection of children's books and illustrations that is considered extremely fine. They'll have a list of illustrators or at least point you in a good research direction.