The Comix Files: Jamie Berggren

Minicomix artist Jamie Berggren originally wrote to me from Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1989 but at some point he moved to Girdwood, Alaska. He produced a minicomic called Jambo in 1990. In one letter Jamie tries his hand at drawing Morty the Dog.

Del Rio West

Yesterday I was conversing with one of my professional colleagues and discovered she was from Ann Arbor, Michigan. I asked her if she knew of the Del Rio and her face lit up. Apparently the Del Rio is long gone, but fondly remembered by many. This morning she sent me a link to a fun article by John Tebeau, who provides a cartoonists-eye view of the Del Rio. Here's the LINK.

So how do I know about the Del Rio even though I have never been to Ann Arbor? The son of the owner was one of my roomies during my student years at The Evergreen State College and in those days a group of us set up a drinking area called Del Rio West. I snapped the photo below in January, 1975:

Eunice Baylis

Written on album sleeve: Eunice Baylis

Printed on verso: S.T. Speechly, Ground Floor Gallery, No. 72, South Main Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Negatives Preserved. Pictures Enlarged.

Eunice E. Upham (1840-1897) married Richard Samuel Baylis (1830-1886) in 1861. She was born in Ohio but spent most of her life in Michigan. She was an aunt to Jennie Reeves, the keeper of this album. 

Unidentified

Photo of unidentified child.

On verso: S.T. Speechly, Ground Floor Gallery, No. 72, South Main Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Negatives Preserved. Pictures Enlarged.

With a little superficial poking around I discovered the photographer was Susan T. Speechly, who lived from 1844 to 1915.