Okinawa Photographs
and Photo-Essay Books
by Blackie the Photographer
Blackie the Photographer
A Picture from This is Okinawa
Another Photograph of Blackie the Photographer
A Picture from The Dream of Hatsue
Blackie and Papasan
("Papasan's Day is Done")
Published in This Month on Okinawa, October 1960
Blackie as "Mr. Big" on Okinawa
Published in This Month on Okinawa, November 1960
Blackie Ad - Keystone Studio (1957)
Blackie Ad - Keystone Studio (1960)
Blackie's View of Okinawa
PHOTO OF LIFE
Start with the sea for fish,
Homes for the people,
Foothills for vegetables,
Valleys for rice,
Hills for wood and fuel,
Hillsides, tombs for the dead,
That's the way of life,
This is Okinawa
Blackie the Photographer, Keystone Portrait Studios
(The concluding text in Okinawa Children in Photos)
On this page I will consolidate all the books by Blackie the Photographer (Earnest Gordon "Blackie" Bradford) that I am aware of. Blackie did not copyright his books and they generally were undated. When a date is shown as "ca" that means I have guestimated the date by extrapolating from information or pictures in the book. The submission of corrections or additional information would be greatly appreciated. A form has been provided at the bottom of the page is you would like to contact me directly from this web page.
Blackie first arrived in Okinawa in August of 1949 while serving in the US Air Force. In 1952 he was discharged from the Air Force and remained on the island. After leaving the service, Blackie worked for the American Photo Service owned by Bert and Lillian Mosher. In 1957 Blackie left American Photo Service and became the manager of the Rycom Plaza office of Keystone Studio in Koza (PO Box 62) which was owned by Joe Tsuha. He was much more than a manager however. He was an active studio and field photographer. His business card advertised "Portraits, Home Portraits, Organizations, Weddings, Parties, Reviews, Promotions, Any Time Anywhere." He was a well know figure on the military bases on Okinawa where he often took unit pictures. Blackie is probably best know for this aspect of his work by those in the military community who were stationed on Okinawa.
Blackie and Keystone Studio advertisements were published frequently in English language publications on Okinawa. Donn Cuson has consolidated a number of these advertisements into one picture and it is here. The first advertisement in this group is for the American Photo Service which lists a Kadena BX address and apparently another address on Kadena (Bldg 891207). According to Donn, the American Photo Service ad was published in May of 1957. The American Photo Service also advertised an address in the Machinato area. The next ad published was for Keystone Studio and published in November of 1957.
From his arrival on island, Blackie was a photographer and by 1960 he boasted of a portfolio of over 10,000 photographs. The nickname Blackie was apparently derived from the trademark black suit he wore. Until recently, I found very little biographical information on Blackie available in published works. Some information was available in an article on Blackie that was published in This Month on Okinawa, October 1960. A recent find has changed this however. In 1994 Blackie self-published a book which he titled "What a Wonderful Life." More information on this book can be found here. This book is a series of stories reflecting the various stages of Blackie's life and it provides a wonderful insight into his character, values and beliefs. Among other information, the book establishes that Blackie was on Okinawa from August of 1949 through early 1968 (18 1/2 years).
Correspondent/Contributing Photographer. Blackie apparently served as a newsreel photographer for NBC Television. At least one of his photographs was published in The National Geographic Magazine (Feb, 1955). His photographs have also been reported in Time, Life, and the Saturday Evening Post. In addition, Blackie had a close association with at least two English language periodicals published in Okinawa. These pictorial magazines focused on news and events of importance to the American military and civilian community living on Okinawa. I have seen photographs credited to "BLACKIE the Photographer in both of these publications. Additionally Blackie's advertisements are found in many of the issues.
- This Month on Okinawa (1955 - Jan 1961). This publication was established in 1955 by L.J. Krebs. The magazine was published by the Ryukyuan Advertising Co (RYAL), Naha CPO Box 82 with business and editorial offices located in the "south wing of Tuttle's Book Store in the Machimato Commercial area." A picture of the Tuttle Book Store, ca 1954, is here. A picture of Blackie and his mother was published in the August, 1957 issue of TMOO. To see that picture, click here. The earliest issue ot TMO I have seen was dated June 1955. The last issue of TMO I have seen was dated January 1961 and was designated Vol 7, No 1. I believe that issue marked the end of the publication. For more information on this publication, click here.
- This Week on Okinawa (Feb 17, 1961 forward). This publication was the successor to the monthly publication. While I seen it reported in business as early as 1958, the earliest edition I have seen is February 17, 1961 and it was designated Vol 7, No 2. I believe that this is the first issue of TWOO. For more information on this publication, click here.
Available for Purchase - 40 Issues from 1961 ~~ $400.00
Okinawa Entertainment Guide later renamed Okinawa Entertainment and Business Guide. The name was expanded to include "Business" ca January, 1961. I have not seen a connection between Blackie and this periodical. However, this publication was a pictorial guide to activities on Okinawa and very similar to the above two publications. It was published by the Morning Star Publishing Co. as a monthly supplement to its newspaper, "A Morning Star." The first issue (Vol 1, No 1) was published February, 1960. During the first year of publication, there was a serial on the Perry Expedition to Japan and numerous lithographs and portions of text from the narrative of the expedition were presented. To see the front covers of 8 issues between 1960 and 1961, click here.
Available for Purchase - 8 Issues from 1960-1961 ~~ $80.00
Picture Postcards. Several types of commercial picture post cards were produced by Blackie.
- Imprinted cards. The "Blackie the Photographer (Keystone Studios)" imprint is found on the message side. To see examples of these cards, click here. (images courtesy of Donn Cuson)
- Non-Imprinted cards. Donn Cuson reports a number of black and white picture postcards which were probably produced by Blackie. These cards do not carry the Blackie or Keystone imprint. The are all printed on Kodak "Photo Post Card" paper stock. They all have similar handstamped descriptive titles on the message side. Donn has traced some of the images directly to Blackie publications and finds others showing the same locations as scenes in his books but not identical images. Based on used examples, Donn dates these cards to the 1954-1955 period. To see an example of these picture post cards, click here. Donn believes that Blackie subsequently switched from the handstamped titles on the reverse to descriptive titles in white on the image (front) of the picture postcard. An example of this type of picture postcard is here.
Photograph Packets. A small packet (5 7/8 x 4 1/8 in) of 10 Blackie photographs has been reported. The illustrated front cover reads "Okinawa." As with the picture postcards, the description is written in white inside the image area of the photograph and many of the photographs can be traced to Blackie's books. Blackie also sold his photographs in sets/packs (pack of 15 confirmed) which were housed loose in an illustrated envelope (5 7/8 by 4 3/4 in). At least 12 numbered sets of photograph packs were marketed. To see an envelope for this type item, click here.
Can Blackie's Photographs be Ordered Now? I am often asked if Blackie's photographs are currently available. It is my understanding that his portfolio & archives are not commercially available and probably no longer exist. Any information in this regard would be appreciated. A couple of USMC unit photographs by Blackie are offered below.
Bill Bayles, Photo-Journalist on Okinawa. While on active duty with the Air Force on Okinawa in the mid-1960s William Bayles also worked as a photographer, journalist and publisher in a private capacity. Bill maintains an excellent web site regarding his work on Okinawa during this time. On his site you will find much information on This Week on Okinawa, The Morning Star (Okinawa) and other publications he was associated with. Additionally, you will find photographs of life on Okinawa during this time. To visit this web site, click here.
Blackie Bradford's Related Books. Listed below are photo-essay books where Blackie the Photographer's photographs provide the primary illustrations. Also included in the list are books that contain images that are formally attributed to him or which are recognized as part of his body of work.
Summary of Books (Details Below):
- ca 1953 - Blackie's Best Photos
- ca 1953 - Pictures of Okinawa
- 1954 - Okinawa (Kichi Okinawa)
- ca 1954 - Okinawa in Pictures
- ca 1954 - This is Okinawa
- ca 1956 - Okinawa Post Script, Vol 1
- ca 1957 - 'Operation Goodwill'
- 1959 - Okinawa Post 28, Second Annual Year Book for 1959
- 1962 - Okinawa in Color
- ca 1962 - Okinawa Children in Photos
- ca 1962 - Okinawa in Photos
- ca 1962 - Okinawa, A Graphic Glimpse (variant of above)
- 1964 - Bread Upon the Waters
- ca 1967 - The Dream of Hatsue
- 1971 - Go and Bear Fruit
- 1994 - "What a Wonderful Life" (Blackie's Own Stories)
- 1960 - Blackie the Photographer Reminiscences published in
This Month on Okinawa, October 1960
The following books by Blackie the Photographer are available:
ca 1962 - Okinawa Children in Photos ~~
Purchase Here ~~ $85.00
1964 - Bread Upon the Waters ~~
Purchase Here ~~ $25.00
ca 1967 - The Dream of Hatsue ~~ Purchase Here ~~ $80.00
1994 - "What a Wonderful Life" ~~ Purchase Here ~~ $195.00
ca 1953 - Blackie's Best Photos
Blackie Bradford (photographs)
Howland, W. J. (editor):
Blackie's Best Photos of Okinawa, cover reads:Blackie's Best Photos of the Garden Spot of the Pacific, ca 1953, oblong large 12mo (8 x 6 1/2 in), not dated, no copyright notice, publisher unstated, 25 black and white halftone reproductions of photographs, blue green paper wraps with front cover illustrated, staple bound, 51 pp. Except for the title page photograph, each picture is preceded by a one page description of the significance of the image. For more information on this book, click here.
ca 1953 - Pictures of Okinawa
Blackie Bradford (photographs)
Howland, Grace D. (compiler):
Pictures of Okinawa, ca 1953, 8vo (8 1/2 x 11 1/4 in), not dated, no copyright notice, publisher unstated, 93 black and white photographs, red illustrated paper wraps, staple bound, 44 pp. The price "$2.50" is included as a part of the front cover illustration. A photo essay on Okinawa and it's culture in the mid to late 1950s. For more information on this book, click here.
1954 - Okinawa (Kichi Okinawa)
Toyohira Royoken (editior):
Okinawa, title page reads "Okinawa" in English and "Kichi Okinawa" in Japanese, "Kichi Okinawa" is stated in English in the preface, printed in Japan for the Okinawa Times, 1954 (November 25, 1954 published & December 1, 1954 placed on sale), hard bound, large 8vo (8 1/2 x 12 in), new issue price of 900 yen, 200 pp. The photographs cover the 10 years following the end of World War II. While none of the photographs in this book are formally attributed to Blackie, at least two can be traced to his work.
ca 1954 - Okinawa in Pictures
Blackie the Photographer:
Okinawa in Pictures by "Blackie" the Photographer, Okinawa, Star News Publishing Co, ca 1954 paper wraps, 8vo (8 1/2 x 11 in), 144 pp. This is a photographic journal of Okinawa during the early 1950's. The title page does not have a date but I have seen the book with a handwritten notation of 1953. No copyright notice. There is a picture with the caption "Chief Executive Jugo Thoma" and a plaque on the Executive Building (looks newly constructed) dated April, 1953. Each page has one or more photographs of Okinawan people, places, or artifacts. A time capsule of Okinawa in this period after WWII. Photographs have captions and occasionally there is textual commentary. For more information on the book, click here.
ca 1954 - This is Okinawa
E. G. "Blackie" Bradford (photographs)
Howland, Willard J. (text):
This is Okinawa, Tokyo, 8vo (7 1/4 x 9 in), not dated but ca 1954, no copyright notice but "All Right Reserved," published by Charles E. Tuttle Co., printed by Obun Printing company, 192 black and white halftone reproductions of photographs, illustrated paper wraps, staple bound internally with cover lightly glued to spine, 71 pp. The photographs are each accompanied by a title and usually a paragraph or two of descriptive text. On the back cover the price is $1.50 in the far east, 150 yen in Okinawa and 450 yen in Japan. A photo essay on Okinawa and it's culture in the early to mid-1950s. A seventh printing dated 1963 has been reported. The seventh printing states "First Edition 1954." For more information on this book, click here.
ca 1956 - Okinawa Post Script, Vol 1
Blackie the Photographer:
Okinawa Post Script, Vol 1, Okinawa, ca 1956, Star Publishing Co, Ltd, black cloth covers with gilt lettering on front cover, horizontal format, 8vo, unpaginated, 101 pp. The book does not have a title page or copyright notice. It has a preface by Blackie the Photographer. This is followed by 101 black and white photographs on 7 x 10 inch pages. The image area of the photographs is generally 4 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches and the photograph is surrounded by an ornamental border. Only one photograph per page and each photograph has a descriptive title followed by 2-3 sentences of background information. Blackie captures all aspects of Okinawan life from birth to death. Several of the photographs have a Christian theme and depict church activities. A wonderful photo-essay of life on Okinawa from 1945 to the mid-1950s. The only way I could date the book was from a photograph with a 1956 car. That photograph tends to establish the date of publication as approximately 1956. The binding on this book is very weak. The pages are attached at the top (short edge of the book). They invariably come loose and are found in sections. This is the norm for this book. For more information on this book, click here.
ca 1957 - Operation Goodwill
Ketchum, Rev. Cres. (Compiled by)
Iha Yoshiharu (Translated by)
Blackie the Photographer ("Photos By"):
'Operation Goodwill" - Throughout the Ryukyu Islands Aboard the Mission Vessel 'Island Evangel', Okinawa?, Hoshi Printing Company, ca 1957, stiff wraps, text in English and Japanese, 8vo (8 x 10 in), 36 pp.
1959 - Okinawa American Legion Post 28, 1959 Year Book
The American Legion, Department of the Hawaii, Okinawa Post 28, Okinawa, Ryukyus, Second Annual Year Book 1959, 1959, Okinawa, stiff wraps, 4to, 92 pp. Photo illustrated year book of Legion activities, members and military life in general on Okinawa. Numerous advertisements from Okinawan business catering to the military, including an ad for "Blackie the Photographer and the Keystone Portrait Studios" that notes "We the photographers of Keystone Photo Service enjoyed doing the photographic work for the yearbook."
1960 - Blackie's Reminiscences
Blackie the Photographer Reminiscences, published in This Month on Okinawa, October 1960, Okinawa, Ryukyuan Advertising Co., 1960, 12mo (5 1/4 x 7 in), paper wraps, staple bound, black and white photograph illustrations reproduced in halftone, 160 pp. This article (page 75-83) commemorates Blackie's 11th anniversary on Okinawa. It notes that Blackie arrived on Okinawa in October of 1949 as an Air Force Staff Sergeant. The article presents 13 (cover photo and 12 photos in text of the article) of the 10,000 photographs Blackie had amassed over the 1l years. Most of the photographs are accompanied by Blackie's explanations. For more information on this book, click here.
ca 1962 - Children of Okinawa
Blackie the Photographer (Pictures)
Sevland, Eva (Text):
Okinawa Children in Photos, Dallas, Taylor Publishing Company, ca 1962, 8vo (8 1/2 x 11 1/2 in), 96 pp, 330 black and white photographs, hard covers (front pictorial spine and back ivory). No copyright notice and no date of publication stated. A photo essay on Okinawa and Okinawan children in the early 1960s. For more information on this book, click here.
1962 - Okinawa in Color
Blackie the Photographer:
Okinawa in Color, Blackie the Photographer, Box 62, Koza, Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, printed in Japan, 1962, oblong 8vo (6 x 8 1/2 in), 40 color photographs, stiff cardboard covers, white plastic spiral binding, 80 pp. A photo essay on Okinawa in the early 1960s. The color photographs are back to back on the pages. Opposite each photograph is a "Memo" page which contains a caption regarding the picture (no "Memo" page for the last picture however). For more information on this book, click here.
ca 1962 - Okinawa in Photo's
Blackie the Photographer:
Okinawa in Photo's, Marceline, Missouri, Walsworth, 8vo (8 1/4 x 10 1/2), pictorial wraps, ca 1962, 106 photographs reproduced in black and white halftone, 64 pp. The book does not have a title page or credit the photographer. However, many of the images can be traced to books where Blackie Bradford is credited as the photographer. Blackie's signature image of Okinawa ("Papasan's Day is Done") appears in a full page photograph. The book has a total of 106 photographs. Of this total, 28 are full page and the balance are smaller. The bulk of the book (87 images, 56 pages) deals with Okinawa. The last 8 pages have 19 images of Hong Kong, the Philippines and Japan. For more information on this book, click here. This book (less the soft covers) was incorporated into The Dream of Hatsue (ca 1967, below). This book has been reported with same contents but a different title (Okinawa, A Graphic Glimpse - Okinawa, Keystone of Pacific).
1964 - Bread Upon the Waters
Ketchum, Creston D:
Bread Upon the Waters, Tokyo, Charles E. Tuttle, 1964, 8vo, black and white halftone frontispiece photograph and 35 photographs reproduced on 12 black and white halftone plates (printed front and back) in text, 196 pp. The frontispiece photograph is of the author. All photographs are captioned. The story of a sea-going missionary of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel as he ministered throughout the Ryukyu Islands (an beyond) from 1954 through early 1962. In his "Acknowledgements and Credits" the author states: "I am deeply grateful to Blackie the Photographer of the Keystone Studio, Okinawa, for taking days out of a busy schedule to travel with me to the islands in order to provide me without cost, with the major portion of the photos appearing in this volume."
ca 1967 - The Dream of Hatsue Kawakami
Blackie the Photographer
Kiyuna, Mildred M. (Compiler):
The Dream of Hatsue, Okinawa, ca 1967, Walsworth, Marceline, Missouri, pictorial hard cover, no dust jacket, 4to (8 1/2 x 11 in), 112 pp. No copyright notice and no date of publication stated. Numerous photographs by Blackie the Photographer. Hatsue Kawakami was completely paralyzed as the result of an automobile accident in August of 1960. After here accident she became a Christian and the first part of the book is a photo-essay (with significant explanatory text) about the people (including US military related) who tended to her spiritual and physical needs. The book was published to raise money to fulfill Hatsue's dream of building a church in her village of Iju. The first 48 pages of the book are numbered and are about Hatsue. There are 64 unnumbered pages. There are 64 unnumbered pages which are a reprint of Okinawa in Photo's (ca 1962, above), less the soft covers. For more information on the book, click here.
1971 - Go and Bear Fruit
Okinawa Baptist Association
Blackie Bradford (photographs):
Go and Bear Fruit, 1971, Okinawa, Tiger Printing Company, stiff wraps, 8vo (7 1/4 x 10 1/8 in. - 18.2 x 25.8 cm), ca 100 black and white halftone reproductions of photographs, 51 pp. This phamplet is an overview of the Baptist Church's activities on Okinawa and on other Ryukyu Islands as of 1971, just months before the Ryukyus Islands reverted to Japan. The book discusses the political and economic situation on Okinawa and the history of Baptist work on the island. According to the book, the first continuing Baptist evangelistic work on Okinawa began in 1891 and the Naha Baptist Church was organized in 1904. Baptist churches were later organized in Shuri (1908), Itoman (1911) and Kadena (1912). This early Baptist activity was under the auspices of Dr. Robert Thompson (Baptist Missionary Union located in Kobe) and financially supported by Mrs. Robert Allen of Glasgow, Scotland. Many Baptist missionaries, reverends and pastors are pictured to include Iha Sensei (Seijiro Iha), Reverend Edward Bollinger & family, Pastor Alvin "Bud" Spencer & Family, Missionary Gary Vaughn, Reverend and Mrs. William R. Medling, Reverend William Randall, Pastor Roy Edgermon, Pastor and Mrs John Schoolar, Reverend Eddie O'Dell, Pastor & Mrs Moore, Pastor Willie Dunn, Pastor Shiroma, Reverend Hiromichi Tamaki, Pastor Seiei Yokoda & Pastor Shisho Asato. The Baptist "English Language Church" are shown on a map and many are discussed and pictured. These include the Central Baptist Church, the Koza Baptist Church, Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, Friendship Baptist Church, Haven of Rest Baptist Church, Lakeshore Baptist Church. The "Japanese Language Churches" are also discussed and pictured. These include the Shuri Baptist Church, Naha Baptist Church, Futenma Baptist Church, Yafuso Baptist Church, Kadena Baptist Church, Agena Baptist Church, Miyako Baptist Church, Ishimine Baptist Mission, Makabi Baptist Mission & Maehara Baptist Church. The title page attributes the photographs to "Blackie Bradford, Ed McGee, Allen Scandrette, Mike Shanahan and others. Unfortunately individual photographs (ca 100) are not attributed to a particular person. The last photograph in the book is a well know Blackie aerial photograph of Okinawa. To see the front cover and representative pages, click here.
1994 - Blackie's Life in Stories
Bradford, Blackie (Earnest Gordon):
"What a Wonderful Life", self published, large 12mo (5 3/4 x 8 1/2 in), illustrated card covers, plastic spiral bound, August, 1994, 23 photographs/illustrations (including those on the covers) reproduced in black and white halftone, unpaginated but 112 pp. This is not an autobiography. Rather, it is a series of Blackie's own stories from various times in his life. For more information on the book, click here.
Blackie Unit Photographs
(Large - hand colored 7+ x 19+ inches)
USMC Unit Photo, ca 1960. "Blackie the Photographer" label on glass with the photograph. Unit is identified by the flag as F.M.F, 12th MAR, 4th Bn, M. Btry.
Price $75.00.
USMC Unit Photo, ca 1960. "Blackie the Photographer" label loose with the
photograph. Unit is identified by the flag as F.M.F, D - 12.
Price $75.00.
Illustrative Photographs & Blackie Advertisements
Post Script, Vol 1, ca 1956
Pictures of Okinawa, ca 1958
Famed Artist Shinzan Yamada and his Studio
Okinawa in Color, 1962
Okinawa Children in Photos, ca 1962
The Dream of Hatsue, ca 1967
A Blackie Bradford Photograph, ca 1955
The National Geographic
February, 1955, Vol CVII, No. 2
A Blackie Advertisement, ca 1961
US Air Force, Okinawa, 313th Air Division
Appears to be a semi-official publication.
Undated but ca. 1961.
Image courtesy of Donn Cuson.
You will find most of the books offered for sale on our book pricelist.
We are very interested in biographical information on Blackie the Photographer and would appreciate any information you would care to share through this web page. Your comments, additions or suggestions regarding this web page are appreciated.
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