Strange & Secret Photographs from the Secret Museum

[rashka]

Scan:Cardhouse Published in 1935, the Secret Museum is a mystery book. It has no author or credits, no copyright, no date, no page numbers, no index. Published by "Manhattan House" and sold by "Metro Publications", both of New York, its "Five Volumes in One" was pure hype: it had never been released in any other form.

Advertised as "World's Greatest Collection of Strange & Secret Photographs" and marketed mainly to overheated adolescents (see the 1942 Keen ad, left), it consists of nothing but photos and captions with no further exposition. This was not a book published to educate (despite appearing on some public library's shelves), but to titillate (literally)— it's emphasis was on the female form ("Female Beauty Round the World") and fashion, and it featured as many National-Geographic-style native breasts as possible. But anything lurid, weird, or just plain unusual is fair game. This was a book to gawk at by flashlight under the bedcovers.





STAR OF THE NORTH
Beauty stamped with exceptional dignity is the heritage of this daughter of Iceland, whose fine bearing suggests that in her veins runs the blood of heroes sung in saga



ICELANDIC MILKMAID ON HER MORNING ROUND
This is a fine sturdy pony standing so stockily for his photograph, and he can make light of his burden of buxom beauty with her heavy can of milk. She cares not for saddle or stirrups, for most of these island people are born to horseback, and her everyday costume amply serves the purpose of a riding-habit for this strapping Viking's daughter, with her long tresses shining in the breeze




VILLAGERS FROM THE "HEART OF SWEDEN"
The natives of the village of Leksand are exceptionally prepossessing and well-built, and their quaint, decorative attire, including the multi-coloured apron worn by both young and old, presents some of the most attractive "local colour" in Sweden



PEASANT GIRL OF GARPENBERG
The people of Sweden are as interesting in character and appearance as the scenery itself, and many lovely faces may be seen in the old land of Goths and Vikings



A PRETTY MILKMAID IN DAINTY ATTIRE
This Flemish beauty was acclaimed the fairest of the sisterhood of Belgian milkmaids. Note the richness of her shawl and the fine lace wings on her ribboned hat



(Breton)
SOLACE OF TOBACCO
At her cottage door she presents a quaint picture in her tattered shawl and skirt and neat white close-fitting cap as she applies a match to the coarse tobacco in the bowl of her short clay pipe and enjoys the first comforting puffs




CANINE HELP FOR HOLLAND'S PRETTY MILKMAIDS
Dogs are still in common use as draught animals in the Netherlands. Strapped between the shafts of low, long carts, they take the tradespeople's goods round from one customer's house to another — gleaming cans of milk for the dairyman, piles of vegetables fresh cut from the market gardens outside the town for the greengrocer, even tanks full of live eels and flounders for the fishmonger




"OLD FASHIONS PLEASE ME BEST"
The Norman peasants are a conservative people and still preserve many of the costumes of their ancestors, and this high headdress, daintily arranged with lace and fine muslin, is a picturesque addition to the women's dress on festive occasions



IN PENSIVE MOOD
Wearing the pretty costumes often seen in her native village of Les-Ponts-de-Cé, in the department of Maine-et-Loire, this naturally charming daughter of La Belle France has been caught by the camera in a somewhat meditative mood

(Germany)
HAT STYLE FROM GUTACH, BLACK FOREST
The severity of her Puritanical garb is somewhat tempered by the quaint hat loaded with heavy pompons which are coloured bright red for the unmarried girl and sombre black when the wearer is to be a married woman


(Portugal)


Economy is elsewhere seldom seen going to such lengths, but in Portugal the custom of thus preserving one's shoes is common


Seen at a distance her load might be mistaken for a headdress instead of a basket of variously feathered fowls


For sheer skill in balancing, an exhibition like hers might make even a Convent Garden porter green with envy


Naturally, the woman porter who takes charge of the visitor's luggage, carries it like this, and it seldom suffers damage

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MADEIRAN GRACE IN LOCAL GARB
Gaily coloured gowns, topped by blue or scarlet capes, are the women's wear in Madeira. Both sexes affect the carapuca, a blue, funnel-shaped cap, worn pipe end upwards


(Spain)
SPLENDID CEREMONIAL COSTUME
The province of Salamanca has an incredible variety of fête-day costumes, each vying with the other in beauty of style, richness of embroidery, and vividness of colouring



MARKET QUEEN IN OLD MADRID
Every year the market people of Madrid elect one of themselves as Queen of the Markets. A beautiful mantilla is presented by the city to each newly-elected queen



GALA DAY IN GRANADA
Spanish girls, more especially in the south, usually dress in black. The wonderful film of the mantilla and the use of colours are kept exclusively for gala days




PROUD OF HER "HOOD OF SHAME"
Hood and cloak in one, made invariably of black cloth gathered on to a frame held in the right hand. Tradition says that the Maltese women adopted the faldetta to hide their faces from their French conquerors



DARK-EYED DAUGHTER OF THE CITY OF LAGOONS
Full worthy of her beautiful birthplace is this handsome maid of Venice, whose vivacity, graceful physique, and refinement of manner are in such pleasant harmony with the natural beauties of her colourful surroundings




AN IDYLL OF NEUCHÂTEL (Switzerland)
Instinctive grace marks her unaffected pose as this girl worker in a Neuchâtel vineyard pauses in her pleasant task of gathering the luscious fruit that shall presently be turned into wine



BERNESE GRACE IN BERNESE SETTING
As will be noted in the dress of this smiling daughter of Berne, Swiss local costumes combine artistry with excellence of material, but as a rule they are reserved for wear on festal occasions


PRETTY PEASANT GIRLS WHO WALK IN RICH ATTIRE
Peasant costume in Liechtenstein is very charming, and on gala days is still worn in its pristine glory, unchanged by modern fashion. The comely woman of Schaan, shown on the left, is justifiably proud of her filmy haloed headdress, embroidered gown, and frilly bodice exposing pretty arms, while her countrywoman on the right, who hails from Triesen, challenges an equal meed of admiration


(Northern Hungary)
YOUNG MATRON OF MEZÖKÖVESD
On her head is a floral coronet, the symbol of the newly-married woman, which tradition decrees that each wife must wear for a year after marriage



YOUTHFUL ASPIRANTS FOR THE FAVOURS OF CUPID
A quaint vintage custom is observed in the Baja district of Southern Hungary. On certain days the unmarried women and girls, carrying vases of flowers and cooking utensils, go into the fields to prepare a meal for the men-workers. The flowers and fruit are presented, and if a man fancies a particular girl he hands her a large lump of sugarloaf as a token of their betrothal



VESTAL VIRGIN OF HUNGARY
On the eve of marriage, clothed thus in spotless raiment, she is expected, by custom, to spend a day and night before the village altar worshipping the Holy Virgin


OPEN-AIR HUNGARIAN MOTHERS' MEETING IN PROGRESS
The Matyo women of Mezökövesd have a strange custom of "bolstering" their babies-in-arms. These immense pillows are of the softest down, covered with bright material often gorgeously decorated with fancy patterns in coloured silks and cottons. The young mother on the left seems fully aware that her person and pillow bear eloquent witness to her artistic taste and nimble fingers



RICH FEMININE APPAREL OF CZECHOSLOVAKIA
With her arms akimbo, this fresh-faced maid presents a delightful picture in the gay costume of her race, which, with its ribbon, laces, embroideries worked by her own deft fingers, and floral decorations runs the whole gamut of brilliant colors

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ON HER WAY TO THE FIELDS
This farmer's wife cuts a neat figure as she walks along with her husband's appetising dinner in the tin cans, carried in practical Slovak fashion by one handle


NATURAL GRACE ENHANCED BY NATIONAL DRESS
Slovakia is said to be a museum of folk art, and the costumes of this charming quartette from Turciansky Sv. Martin, adequately represent those wonderful products of Slovak needles, which can be ranked with some of the finest peasant handiwork in the world. But modern commerce is beginning to play havoc with the peasants' art, and the lovely costumes of Czechoslovakia are donned more frequently as festal than as everyday dress


PEASANT WOMEN OF TRENCIN, PROVINCIAL TOWN OF WEST SLOVAKIA
Their native town is situated on the River Vag, but, in their quaint Quaker costumes, they are typical of the women who are to be found in the surrounding valley districts, and in the beautiful wild regions of North Slovakia, amidst the High Tatra Mountains, which are the loftiest group of the Carpathian system, and rival Swiss Alps in their magnificent scenery



SURVIVAL OF ANCIENT LATVIAN REGALIA
The imposing coronet-shaped headdress and richly-embossed breast buckles figured conspicuously in the full traditional attire of the Letts, and this handsome costume may still be seen in the village of Virga on special festive occasions


DISTINCTIVE PERSONAL ADORNMENTS OF ESTHONIA
The large breast buckle is the all-important and the most interesting of the various silver trinkets which add such an original touch of beauty to the otherwise simple national dress of the peasant-woman. The custom of wearing this novel and striking ornament, generally finely chased and embossed, dates back innumerable years, and figures in many old pictures of the Esthonian peasantry


IN A COTTAGE COURTYARD ON THE ISLAND OF MOON (MUHU)
In her mitre-shaped headdress this young Esthonian presents an attractive picture. Embroidery is one of the chief handicrafts of these peasant women, and special attention is given to designs on stockings and gloves. These articles figure conspicuously among the regulation gifts presented on marriage, and exquisitely-worked samples may be seen in the National Museum at Dorpat (Tartu)


(Poland)


IN THE FAMOUS RAINBOW WOOL OF LOWICZ
Lowicz is renowned for its coloured wools, and Lowicz girls for their handsome rainbow costumes. The striped, quasi-crinoline skirt and neat bodice present a delightful medley of soft rich hues, enhanced by endless strings of amber or coral beads


GORGEOUS BRIDAL HEADDRESS
This lofty headdress, gay with brilliant blossoms, is the prerogative of the Lowicz bride, and the multi-coloured streamers, each a gift of the peasant beau, tell their own happy story




CAPABILITY AND COMELINESSAmong the women of South Serbia are many fine physical types which, though not actually handsome, are suggestive of a certain quiet pride and unbounded energy and endurance



BRIDAL PARAPHERNALIA OF BARANYA, NORTH YUGO-SLAVIA
Among the rural festivals of Baranya none affords so much merriment as the marriage feast. The preceding matrimonial ceremonies are varied and permeated with native traditions, but material considerations influence the young yokel less than formerly, and pretty faces and robust figures never fail to attract a suitor, even though there be no substantial dowry with them



UNCOMPLAINING HEROINES OF A WARRIOR RACE
Montenegrin women stand in what is virtually a servile relation to their men-folk, performing almost every function of the national life except fighting for it. All the manual labour falls on them, ageing them prematurely despite their considerable physical strength, and depriving them early of the beauty that is often theirs in youth. Except on festal occasions their dress is very plain



WHERE TASTE AND GRACE UNITE
Bulgarian costumes are well diversified. The silver waist-clasp is a noteworthy feature, as also the silken scarf thrown with such careless grace round her head


IN THE HEYDAY OF HEALTH AND HAPPINESS
Cool and composed, these comely sisters probably know what a pleasant picture they make by the side of the old village well. This costume, one of the many varieties of Bulgarian national dress, is home-spun and home-made, and displays its owner's love of gaudy colours

(Bulgaria)
YOUNG HOUSEWIFE OF SILISTRIA
All the fine stitching is the work of her hands, and the delicate designs, enhanced by shining sequins, speak of a refined taste and an unparalleled industry


UKRAINIAN VILLAGE CHARM
Flower-crowned, with bright garments broidered in many flashing hues, the Ukrainian peasant women are still faithful to their attractive national costumes, and in some districts feminine fashions have remained unchanged for generations

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(Ruthenians or Romanians)
BELLES OF BUKOVINA IN THEIR BRIGHTEST AND BEST
Many and varied are the costumes in vogue among the peasants of Bukovina, where the country maidens deck themselves in brilliant homespun, hand-worked garments, never averse to striking a note of originality when possible, as is exemplified by the headdress of the girl on the left, from which long skeins of bright red wool depend, falling about neck and shoulders like luxuriant tresses



FINE RUMANIAN NEEDLECRAFT
Deft fingers and exquisite fancy have attained the zenith of artistry in the choice embroidery displayed to such dainty advantage by this lady of Rumania


VANITY FAIR IN TRANSYLVANIA
Of her winter Sunday costume the richly-ornamented sheepskin is the chief feature, while the quaint jampot-shaped hat, handsome lace apron, and glittering trinkets, proclaim her a staunch and well-to-do adherent of Transylvania's traditional dress



MODERN MAHOMEDAN MAIDEN OF TETOVO
The long coat and full trousers stamp her as an inheritor of an Eastern culture. The veil has been discarded by many of the Moslem sections of the heterogeneous population of Southern Yugo-Slavia, who, freed from the Turk, have grown accustomed to the sight of Christian women, and now unblushingly expose their features, delighting in the comfort and freedom which this new fashion entails



RICH AND VARIED RAIMENT IN VOGUE IN THE ÜSKÜB DISTRICT
As one views the intricate designs of these Macedonian costumes, one can but marvel at the infinite patience and skill which could produce such exquisite pieces of ornamental needlework. The somewhat ponderous costume on the right may be seen at Üsküb in both summer and winter and would certainly require a sturdy frame to carry it with any degree of comfort


SEQUINED AND SILKEN FINERY
Picturesque in style and pleasing in colour is this variety of Macedonian costume photographed at Üsküb, on which sequins, beads, buttons, and coins are set among coloured embroideries in lavish but artistic profusion


WHERE ARTISTIC FINGERS PLY THE NEEDLE
Bright local colour is supplied to the town of Üsküb, or Skoplye, by the variegated costumes of its feminine world, and here is one example of a simple though elegant design embellished with elaborate and multi-hued embroidery





BEAUX AND BELLES DRESSED IN THE FANTASTIC GALA COSTUMES OF THEIR HAMLET IN WESTERN MACEDONIA
So strong is the influence of the West in the Balkan countries that during the last three decades many incongruities noticeable in the feminine world of fashion have been superseded by more simple and modern garments. The women of the middle and lower classes were likewise infected, and not a few of the old-time national costumes disappeared before the advance of Western modes. Nevertheless, in many remoter districts the popular costume still holds its own, and, as with these natives of a small hamlet in the vicinity of Krushevo, may be seen in all its fantastic beauty and traditional originality


POPULAR COSTUMES OF SMILEVO VILLAGE
Heavy coloured fringes are a striking feature of this Macedonian costume, which leaves little to be desired so far as ornamentation is concerned, for there is scarcely a square inch of material that has not been carefully worked with the needle



(Northern Greece)

THESSALONIAN WOMEN OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY IN GALA ATTIRE
Salonica is notable for the handsomely decorated and embroidered costumes worn by its feminine population. The coins so lavishly displayed about their heads, necks, and waists are mostly family heirlooms, and innumerable strings of them, often interspersed with modern Turkish coins, are regarded as an essential feature of festive raiment


MAKING MERRY TO THE JINGLE OF A MYRIAD GLITTERING COINS
The complicated way in which they have joined hands adds to the striking appearance of this group of Greek peasant girls. Each vies with the other to produce the most dazzling costume, and this latter helps to cheer both themselves and their swains at the rustic gatherings for which they don these vivid garments with their coin corselets which glitter in the sunlight as they walk


(Albania)

CROWNED SHEPHERDESS AND HER STRAW-BUILT COT
She is already earning money, as her silver crown and belt jewelry show, but she has yet to cover her toque with silver coins. By her quaint face wrapping she seems a Moslem girl, but perhaps she is a Christian, and can explain it as a defence against evil spirits. In any case, she can soon be purchased for marriage by one of her tribesmen in the hills above Valona



THREE TROUSERED BEAUTIES OF SCUTARI
In Scutari town, where Moslem and Christian Albanians mingle, all townswomen wear large, loose, Turkish trousers of silk or cloth. Silken also are their long-sleeved chemises, over which are embroidered boleros, with a huge many-coloured sash. Outdoors, all hide their faces in robes that fall from head to knee and serve the purpose of the Moslem veil



HANDSOME GIRLS OF THE NEW ROMANY STRAIN
They have nothing in common with gipsies of Hindu origin, being descendants of Rumanians who settled on the Pindus range, and were broken and driven into a wandering way of life. This picturesque, new Romany folk is hard-working, and families generally pick up so good a living in the mountains and valleys of Albania that few care to return to Rumania



EASE AND LUXURY IN THE CAUCASUS
Surrounded by brightly-coloured rugs and hangings of rich Caucasian silks, this dark-eyed daughter of the mountains reclines at ease on her cushioned divan. A cultured woman of European education, she yet clings to the costume of her people, comprising a silken coat which covers loose trousers gracefully caught in at the ankles, and a scarlet velvet cap, richly ornamented with pearls