Photos

Newspapers like The Chicago Sun Times and The Chicago Tribune have recently opened up their archives and are now offering hundreds of their stored prints for sale.  You can find an index of photos on their websites.   Here is a copy of their promo:

Each photo is unique and once it’s sold it’s gone forever!

Don’t miss your chance to own this rare piece of history!

This is a working archive and these are the actual photographs that have been used and published throughout the decades by newspaper. Photos may contain written comments, attached paper cutlines, crop marks, tonal enhancements, masking or other alterations that were necessary for publishing. Please review the front and back scans of the photo carefully before buying.

CERTIFIED AUTHENTIC!

This rare collectible photograph, comes with a serialized, embossed Certificate of Authenticity and is shipped in a beautiful presentation folder.

Makes a wonderful gift!



I have purchased those that I find "interesting".

The first one is a 11x17 inch photo of  Vince Lombardi and George Halas at Wrigley Field on October 17, 1965.

I have a picture of Gales Sayers and Billy Dee Williams, who played the Sayer's character in the original "Brian's Song" movie.  The photo was placed in the August 27, 1977 newspapers.  I believe the story surrounding the photo was that Billy Dee Williams attended the actual Bears Training Camp one day to get insight on Gale Sayers.  These are the people, I bought this photo from them and below lists their advertisement.
Gale Sayers Chicago Bears

This photograph originates from the ROGERS PHOTO ARCHIVE.

ROGERS PHOTO ARCHIVE is the largest individually owned photo archive in the world.

Most photos have never been seen by the public. These photos are original, not reproductions or reprints.

Photo Condition

These photos emanate from a working newspaper archive thus concede routine physical imperfections that can include production flaws, hand placed editorial notes, and paste residue. These details can be seen in the auction photo which shows front and back. Also creasing, border chips and minor paper loss can occur. View all photos thoroughly prior to bidding.

Copy Rights

 By purchasing a photo from Argenta Images, copyright does not transfer. We are selling these photos as collectibles only and no copyright is implied.  If you are interested in licensing an image from us, feel free to contact us and we will try and help.

CUT OUT MIDDLE MAN PRICES - Our Archive is the Largest known Photo Archive in the world and supply many sellers the photos that are being sold on Ebay today. BUY HERE PAY LESS!!!

The following is a team picture from 1975 with Walter Payton wearing #21.  He never played one game with that jersey number (see Walter Payton Post).

Walter and Gale are shown here at some sort of a luncheon in 1977.  I just like having a photo of them together.

The Sun Times did an expose on Connie Payton on October 20, 1985.  I actually now own the photo that was used for the article, as well as the article itself.

Also from 1985, I have a picture of Michael McCaskey in his office just prior to Super Bowl XX.  I love this picture because of "who" is seemingly looking over Mikey's shoulder.

I found humor in the following photo from a very hot day at training camp in 1987.  It is Richard Dent and Otis Wilson.  Obviously the Editor had to do some "cropping" before the photo was printed for all to see.  The little "dash" a little past halfway in the right margin is where the pic was cropped.Do you notice anything special about the photo?

I love my photo of Walter Payton.  I have an autographed official portrait photo, as well as a "separation" photo with Jim Brown and Franco Harris.  Also, I have pictures of Walter with Muhammad Ali and of him throwing out the first pitch at Wrigley for a Cub's game.

This a photograph by Howard Simmons and autographed by Walter with his 34 and Sweetness.  Simmons is a renowned photographer with quite a life story.  Check out this photo, along with many other famous subjects:  http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/ImageArchives?feature=Slideshows&by=1778094&oid=1778117

 And, here is an amazing story about his life and a story of how many of his original photos were found hidden in a warehouse, and how they were returned to him. http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/howard-simmons-photographer-dave-mata-found-photos/Content?oid=1770313&showFullText=true

I'm sure many football fans will recognize the people in the next picture.  It's called a 4 color separation picture used for magazines and color newspapers.  It's from the early 80's and it's Walter, Jim Brown and Franco Harris.

I wasn't sure what a "separation photo" was, so here is my research: From Webopedia

The act of decomposing a color graphic or photo into single-color layers. For example, to print full-color photos with an offset printing press, one must first separate the photo into the four basic ink colors: cyan, magenta, yellow, and black (CMYK). Each single-color layer is then printed separately, one on top of the other, to give the impression of infinite colors.

This type of color separation, mixing three or four colors to produce an infinite variety of colors, is called process color separation. Another type of color separation, called spot color separation, is used to separate colors that are not to be mixed. In this case, each spot color is represented by its own ink, which is specially mixed. Spot colors are effective for highlighting text but they cannot be used to reproduce full-color images.

Traditionally, process color separation has been performed photographically with different colored filters. However, many modern desktop publishingsystems are now capable of producing color separations for graphics storedelectronically. This capability is essential if you want to create full-colordocuments on your computer and then print them using an offset printer. You don't need to perform color separation if you are printing directly to a color printer because in this case the printer itself performs the color separation internally.

The Greatest of All Time Muhammad Ali, And the Greatest Running Back of All Time, Walter Payton

This other photo shows Walter seated by the miniature bronze statues that were made as a fundraiser to making the life sized edition which currently is placed at The Greater Chicagoland Hall of Fame.  The artist was Paul Tadlock and I own one of those statuettes.

Betty  Baby - All The Bears Want for Christmas

Hey, it was in the newspaper, for whatever reason.  Seems "inappropriate", but, as my wife will tell you, Inappropriate is my middle name, that or "one step too far"

Paid 10 bucks for the autographed photo on Ebay. WTH, he put my name on it.

1972 Press Photo Chicago Bears football coach Abe Gibron chats with Santa Claus.

This is an original press photo. And A Ho, Ho, Ho to You--Chicago Bears head football coach Abe Gibron is a match in size here for Santa Claus as he met the man in the red suit at a Rehabilitation Institute Christmas Party in Chicago. But, it's doubtful that Gibron had any stomach for a hearty ho, ho, ho after his team finished its first season under him with a 4-9-1 National Football League record.Photo measures 9.75 x 6.5inches. Photo is dated 12-21-1972.  

1968 Press Photo George Halas Retires As Chicago Bears Head Coach -  

This is an original press photo. An Old Football Head Uses His Hands. George Halas, 73, fidgets in Chicago Bears office today as he announces his retirement as Bears head coach. A co-founder of the National League, Halas also retired in 1956, but it didn't last. Photo measures 8 x 10.25 inches. Photo is dated 05-27-1968.  

And here he is walking the sideline on his last game

1985 Press Photo New England Patriots and Chicago Bears play NFL football

This is an original press photo. 18th annual photo contest, 1985, sponsored by Canon; "Bombs Away," first place, color action, Bob Langer, Chicago Tribune; Chicago Bears vs. New England Patriots NFL football Photo measures 10 x 8 inches. Photo is dated --1985.  

1963 Press Photo Rick Casares Chicago Bears lie detect - 

CAPTION: Rick Casares, veteran fullback of the Chicago Bears, points to a newspaper headline with his statement that he passed two lie detector tests as he posed in his Chicago apartment.. Photo measures 8 x 10 inches. Photo is dated 01/08/63. 

The NFL was investigating Casares for gambling. He was exonerated with the help of a lie-detector test as the scandal saw stars Paul Hornung of the Packers and Alex Karras of the Lions suspended indefinitely in 1963. 

In the 2020  100th year of the Bears and the NFL, the NFL Hall of Fame permitted the busts of all of the Bears HOFers to be on display at Soldier Field.  Some guy took photos of the Offensive and Defensive member busts, and I bought the photos.  Kind of neat pictures to have.

Ditka MacGregor Advisory Staff Photo

Gotta have a pic of the Fridge with a Fridge

James Caan autograph (Played Brian Piccolo in "Brian's Song" movie)

                                    

Here's another Brian's Song press photo that I bought.  George Halas is pictured with Jack Warden.  Warden played Halas in the 1971 movie.

4 29 1993 Wire Press Photo Chicago Bears NFL Draft Curtis Conway Carl Simpson

Back in the day (1960s) these nodders were sometimes used like this...these things are worth hundreds now.  I purchased somebody's polaroid photo.

...and NOW there is the new guy, Matt Forte...wow, what a great Rookie year HE had. He's the man! I hope that he can have a super career and end up some day being mentioned in the same sentences as Sayers and Payton. I was a little leary of buying any expensive rookie cards of Forte, because I've been screwed too many times in the past...ex. Enis, McNown, Grossman, Benson...so I decided to go another way. I bought an autographed picture with COA and picture/video proof of his signing. The nice thing about the picture, well first of all, IT'S HUGE at 16x20...it's Forte's VERY FIRST GAME against the Colts, PLUS, it is the 4th or 5th carry of the game where Forte runs 5o yards for a touchdown...HIS VERY FIRST NFL TOUCHDOWN! Also, I like the fact that the autograph was signed in 2008, his first year. He may sign that same picture the rest of his playing days, but I will always know that mine was signed October 8, 2008. I did buy his ETOPPS rookie card too, because that is part of my collection.

 

              Walter Payton 5 Vintage Wire Press Photos 12-20-87 thru 5-31-88collage

                                      1974 Hallmark Card Hanging Pic Dick Butkus #51 

This is a 1967 Caprolan Premium Photo of
 Mike Ditka of the Chicago Bears
(also inc bio sheet)

3 1/2" button was also issued using
same photo - but NOT owned by me - Just FYI

(NOTE - several other items pictured
 were distributed that I do not own)

This  Picture was part of a premium set released 

at meeting at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  VERY 

RARE!!  8x10, glossy, blank back.  On bottom it 

reads: "Mike Ditka – Chicago Bears A Caprolan All Star".

 

  It comes with a bio sheet (8 1/2" x 11).  Attended

 University of Pittsburgh.  Photo and Bio Sheet is all that I own; the black 

pouch pictured (the pouch is what the premiums originally 

came in - NOT a part of my collection). 

                                           Just a  Chairman of the Board Halas Wire Photo

                                  Harlon Hill Rawling Advisory Staff Photo

                                                          Legendary Coaches Gold Stamp

 Punch 9 for Harold Washington was the Mayor's Campaign slogan.  He became a big fan of The Refrigerettes....Here is the story that explains some of that.

By Chicago Tribune

UPDATED: August 8, 2021 at 3:05 p.m.

On Wednesday, the Bears practiced in warm Georgia for Sunday`s National Football Conference championship game against San Francisco. But Our Ladies of the Wide Bodies were relegated to the cold back home.

To gauge the civic interest in the Bears` latest march toward a Super Bowl, one must discern the fate of the Refrigerettes, a fixture of 1985`s winning procession. Ultimately, a city pretending to greatness must withstand judgment on how it treats its choicest cheerleaders.

”I don`t think there`s the same excitement. People aren`t quite as psyched for this game as in the past,” said Linda Ann Waner, a South Side resident, actress and bona fide Refrigerette.

Waner, 34, spent the morning auditioning for a Big Boy Restaurant commercial and the evening in ”Guys and Dolls” at the Drury Lane Theater in Oakbrook Terrace. But there were no calls for her services as a Refrigerette- nor have there been for months.

”We were swept up as part of a great year,” said Karen Kruger, 26, of Wauwatosa, Wis., a full-figured model who also runs a singing telegram service in which she portrays Miss Pixcy Pig, Dr. Goober Gorilla and Cluck the Wonder Chicken, among others.

In 1985, Waner, Kruger and six others, picked for a one-night stand at a hamburger emporium, blossomed into an endearing national curiosity. They dwarfed the now-defunct Honey Bears, cellulite-free objects of male leering.

Named after Bears rookie William ”Refrigerator” Perry, they especially captured the fancy of full-figured Mayor Harold Washington, who once stopped his limo in the St. Patrick`s Day parade to ”go out and talk to my ladies.” They were city representatives at the Super Bowl in January, 1986, and traveled to London when the newly crowned champions visited that August. Then came a slew of corporate and private parties, along with charity work.

The group still exists, but their decline may fit the awkward nature of the Bears season.

Whereas 1985 was a year of mirth and mastery-Perry, Mike Ditka, Jim McMahon, Walter Payton and Otis Wilson were characters of a droll and unsullied sort-this has been a year of relative pain. Success seems less a function of flair than grit.

There`s no Super Bowl Shuffle Part 2. Ditka suffered a heart attack. Payton is retired. Wilson`s knee gave out. Receiver-entrepreneur Willie Gault was traded. Perry, first overweight, then hurt, is an enigmatic recluse, more the butt than the source of humor. The brilliant-when-fit McMahon has been hurt and incommunicado, replaced by Mike Tomczak, a dutiful technocrat much like the club president Michael McCaskey.

The thrill, as B.B. King wails, is gone.

– – –

The Refrigerettes were the brainchild of dining maestro Rich Melman and meant as entertainment for a Dec. 5, 1985, party for the one-year anniversary of Ed Debevic`s, 640 N. Wells St. They were talented, aspiring actresses.

Mayor Washington surfaced at the party and viewed the group`s seminal moment. They looked his way and declared:

”Should we give them the finger? Yeah, man! You`re number one, you`re number one, you`re number one, one, one,” raising their index-their index-fingers.

”The mayor didn`t know if it was a put-on, looked at me and raised his eyebrows,” recalled Alton Miller, Washington`s press secretary. ”I signaled that it was genuine. From that moment, he joined the fun and loved them.”

The Bears kept winning, and the Refrigerettes made regular appearances at City Hall as the mayor won bets from mayors of opposing cities. He became

”Mayor Hal” to them.

”They were a grass-roots event, not professionally produced, and the fact they were fat was appealing,” said Northwestern University sociologist Bernard Beck, proving that no topic is too small-or is it big?-for an agile academic.

”Also, there`s a confusing thing about fatness and thinness in America,” Beck said Wednesday. ”We worship thinness, but are basically a fat people. The Refrigerettes struck a blow for self-love.”

As Refrigerette Frances Camberis, 36, said, ”It was nice to have seven other full-figured women around me who were positive about how they looked. People wrote to thank us. I got involved in a national group which seeks to show full-figured people in a kinder light.”

Some suggest that, as with certain Lake Forest fortunes, success had a seamier underside. Said Beck: ”You could see them as scabbing on the Honey Bears who, remember, were bounced by the club and treated rather shabbily.”

– – –

There were eight original members. Seven remain: Waner; Kruger (even though she has since dropped 60 pounds-from a size 20 dress to ”a 14 or 16,”); Camberis, an actress who works at Melman`s Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises Inc.; Jennifer Hunt, 41, an actress who is a full-time guidance counselor at Kennedy-King College; Madeline Tompkins, 26, a full-time full-figure model and actress; Kim Davis, 25, an office supervisor at S&M Distributors; and Rusty Schwimmer, an actress who headed west and works at the Ed Debevic`s in Beverly Hills, Calif.

They haven`t had a gig as Refrigerettes since a promotional stint a few months back for Citicorp, which they did with the Bears` Mike Singletary.

Fame is fleeting and, as Waner noted before her Wednesday audition, the group wasn`t even invited to this year`s World`s Greatest Office Party.

Admittedly, Waner did go-on behalf of the Illinois State Lottery, as a Lotto ball. It underlined the perils of stereotyping.

”Even before I was a Refrigerette, I was a Lotto ball,” she said.

Originally Published: January 5, 1989 at 1:00 a.m.