Description:Hi Bloom Dog tags, reflecting his specific military ID number from World War II. Hi served in the Army Air Corps, before it became the Air Force. He served in Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, and visited some of South East Asia. He reached the rank of Corporal. He was a airplane mechanic. [show more]

Description:Hi graduated from University (Uni) High in February, 1939.

Description:July, 1942, the military apparently needed Hi´s High School Record. He started "Uni" High in the 9th grade in 1935 and graduated in 1939. A solid "C" student (he used to say that in one class he received his test score back with a "71" on it and the teacher told him, "looks like you studied a little too hard"), he graduated 152nd in his class. Uni Hi had a bit of an interesting history. While under construction it was known as Sawtelle High School, but it opened as Warren G. Harding High School when completed in 1924, after 29th President Warren G. Harding (1865-1923, served 1921-1923), who had recently died. The school was renamed in 1929 after the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) moved its campus from East Hollywood to Westwood, and the reputation of former President Harding had declined after the infamous Teapot Dome scandal and other situations. The name University is supposed to have originated because it became a site where teachers-in-training from nearby UCLA worked as assistant teachers/interns. When the school was being built, Indian artifacts were found as it was determined to have the site of the Serra Springs, a sacred site of the Tongva–Gabrieleño native people and a registered California Historical Landmark. [show more]

Description:July, 1942

Description:February 25, 1947, Hi´s request to change his life insurance beneficiary granted. Probably changed to his first wife.

Description:December 12, 1947, Request to reinstate VA Life Insurance. Payment of $52. NOTE: Address is 302B S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills, California. Probably living with his first wife at this address.

Description:1939, Hi attended one semester at Santa Monica Junior College.

Description:Hi, having just been married, changes the beneficiary of his $10,000 life insurance policy (almost certainly to Betty) while living at 8400 Lennon Ave., Van Nuys, California. This shows they bought the house by March, 1950. This is the house where Sasha was born. [show more]

Description:When Hi came out of WWII, he soon thereafter met and married Roz´sister. They divorced a few years later, something which was often spoken about in whispers in the family because divorce was so taboo at the time. Sometime in 1949, he met Betty Bloom who at the age of 23, already had a child (Denise) and had suffered the loss of her first husband (Robert or Bob Belsky). They married on February 12, 1950, likely pregnant with their oldest son, Sasha, who was born on October 15, 1950. In just a few months, Hi went from a carefree bachelor, to a husband with a ready made family of four. He realized the responsibility of that situation and set about the task of getting into college to make something of himself and provide for his family. He had, before the War, been accepted into UCLA (after he made a bet with his mother, Ethel, who agreed to pay for his admission of $5 if he was accepted) but he never enrolled. Now, faced with a family of four, he needed to get into a program which would put him on the fastest track to financial stability. The University of Southern California had a 6-year program where he could go to undergraduate school and graduate school, thereby shaving two years off the regular process. He wanted to be a dentist, he thought he would enjoy working with his hands, and was accepted into USC Dental School, but found that they did not have an opening at that time, and he would have to wait a year to begin school. He found out, however, that the USC Pharmacy school had an immediate opening for him, so, in an act of true selflessness and dedication to his family, something he never much spoke about throughout his life, he enrolled in the 6 year USC undergrad and Pharmacy school program. He graduated in June?, 1956. He is depicted her holding his USC Graduation Diploma and being kissed on both cheeks at the day of graduation by Betty Wisotsky Belsky Bloom, his wife of 6 years, and Ethel, his mom, on the left. Note Betty´s rather sexy dress and the big smile on Hi´s face. This pose was repeated several times for Sasha and Barry. [show more]

Description:July, 1944, Hi was stationed in Australia. Back marked with number "913"

Description:At 15 months, Hi just doesn´t look too happy sitting on this pony. This picture was being sent to Grandma and Grandpa, which had to have been Bernard and Dora Pelicoff, Ethel´s parents, in Atlantic City.

Subject:Hi, on the left wearing pants, and someone else, on the right wearing shorts, pet a baby Wallaby(?) while in the service in July, 1944. Note the mailing address: "APO 921", which stood for "Army Post Office #921".

This probably means they were in Darwin at the time.
https://www.ozatwar.com/ozatwar/apo.htm
Australian U.S. APO locations:-

APO 921 = Base Section No. 1, Darwin, Northern Territory

Adelaide was used as an Australian war development area for several areas: it was far from where it was believed the Japanese might attack, it had a large population of under employed people, and it was an area where Australian vehicles and train equipment were already being developed.

NOTE the stamp on the back that says the "Base Examiner" has approved the photo.

Description:This is a dup of another picture depicting Hi (lower center) on his 6th birthday party.

Description:Private Herbert J. Bloom received Certification of his Aircraft Mechanic training in January 26, 1943. It was signed by Major Charles Oliver, Commander of the Army Air Corps.

Description:Hi graduated from Uni High and didn´t really want to go to college. But Ethel bet him $5 that he couldn´t get into UCLA, so he applied. He got in. Took the winnings, but never attended. On the front of the application it confirms that they were living at 2449 Barry Avenue at the time and his phone number was just "32185". In an error, Hi listed his birthdate as February 14, 1939. He gave his field of study as "pre legal". On Page two, he listed Mort as a prior graduate of UCLA (actually Mort attended UC Berkeley) in Summer of 1938. [show more]

Description:On February 18, 1921, the Los Angeles Daily Times (the first name of today´s Los Angeles Times) published, under VITAL STATISTICS, the birth to Lawrence (Ethel was not mentioned) in Los Angeles a "boy". The Los Angeles Times was only 40 years in existence at the time. Pay note that you get lingerie for $2.95 and that 20 Mule Team Soap Chips were available for purchase. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Times#Otis_era This image was searched for by Sasha and given to Hi on his birthday. [show more]

Description:February 3, 1939

Description:January 31, 1936 University High School also acted as a Junior High School at this time.

Description:He earned just north of $346. from the Sears on Westwood Blvd. in Los Angeles, California. 1946

Description:In an undated, handwritten "Resume of Herbert Bloom´s Previous Occupational Experience", perhaps prepared for the military, Hi indicates that his prior work included "... newsboy, clothing salesman, and aircraft mechanic".

Description:Perhaps to get a job or a promotion at Douglas Aircraft. The Douglas Aircraft Company was an American aerospace manufacturer based in Southern California. It was founded in 1921 by Donald Wills Douglas Sr. and later merged with McDonnell Aircraft in 1967 to form McDonnell Douglas, when it then operated as a division of McDonnell Douglas. McDonnell Douglas later merged with Boeing in 1997. [show more]

Description:January 6, 1946, Hi, Sasha, and George just after the War. The boys returned from the war after VJ Day August 14, 1945. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victory_over_Japan_Day Further documents will show precisely when they returned, but they were full and fit citizens in this picture, probably in front of Sasha´s apartment in Torrance, California. Hi was 25, George, 27. [show more]

Description:UPPER RIGHT PHOTO: Hi´s 3rd Birthday. Los Angeles, California. February 14, 1924. Hi is bottom center with not so happy face, wearing a ridiculous big white hat. George is bottom left. Looks like the Bloom´s were doing well in 1924 .. look at how many kids came to the party. Advise if you can ID more. LOWER RIGHT PHOTO: A month later, March, 1924, the Bloom´s pose in front of somebody´s house. L.A. Bloom (standing) next to Ethel next to Sam Talmey and Anna (one of Lawrence´s sisters). Hi and Mort in the front row, with George just behind. One of the girls should be Jackie, but not sure of the other, and not sure who is the man laying on the ground. LEFT FIVE PICTURES: That same man is depicted again in these photos labeled July, 1924, taken at Brent´s Mountain Crag in Calabasas, California. The story of this location is at http://www.historyadventuring.com/2020/11/who-brent-of-brents-junction-was.html where you can see a photo almost identical to this one, but depicting others who came to this house, somewhat in the hills outside of Los Angeles. "E.J. Brent came to Los Angeles at the turn of the century and promptly made his fortune selling furniture, and decided to build a country house waaaaay far away from the hustle and bustle of the city, in Calabasas. He called his place "the Mountain Crags". It was where Malibu Creek State Park is, on Crags Road. No, there was no one named Craig, it's just crag, like a craggy mountain, which are all around that beautiful area." Hi is with the sideways hat. George is the "sword" bearing warrior standing above him. Lower left, you can see Mort up a tree. It appears to be Ethel looking up the tree, at the UPPER RIGHT, and standing next to her is the same man lying down on the ground in the other picture. [show more]

Description:For the rather expensive sum of $68.21, Hi paid for his tuxedo from Lee´s Men´s Shop on Shattuck Street. Topcoat (which is presumably the entire tuxedo) cost $42.75, with a scarf and various other necessities renting for the balance. Tax was 3.5%. Its unclear if this was a rental (even though the back of the bill says the company rents clothes), because cost relative to that day seems to be for the purchase of it. Note, it is dated February 14, 2 days after the wedding, at which time Hi was in San Francisco. [show more]

Description:Apparently Betty and Hi enjoyed a special meal at this restaurant ... $2.00 for a steak dinner with all the trimmings.

Description:Hi and Betty got married February 12, 1950 and they didn´t have much money. They left Dennie with Betty´s sister, Marcia, and drove to San Francisco. Here is a copy of the "Guide to San Francisco" that they saved from that honeymoon trip. The guide explains that the Oakland Seals (minor league baseball team) could be seen, along with some basketball in Kezar Stadium (which is in Golden Gate Park), you could arrange for a flight on Pan Am and TWA airlines, and get a steak at Bob´s on Geary and Mason. [show more]

Description:The rather elaborate menu of the Cliff House is depicted. $3.75 for the Main Special. $.50 (that´s right 50 cents) for a Martini, most beers $.30. See the wonderful photos of the exterior and interior of this classic San Francisco restaurant, which opened in 1863 and closed its doors on last day of 2020, some 157 years later. [show more]

Description:Cliff House Postcard

Description:Presumably from the Santa Maria Inn, Mr and Mrs. Herbert Bloom´s first married night.

Description:On their first night of marriage, "Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Bloom of 8400 Lennox Blvd, Van Nuys, California." left their Wedding in Hollywood and drove to the the Santa Maria Inn, Room 160. The cost of their room: $7.50. Dinner was $5.50 for them both and breakfast was $2.00. The left on February 13 and drove to San Francisco. [show more]

Description:Confirmation of reservation with travel agency.

Description:On February 2, 1950, Joanna Glaeser of the St. Francis Hotel, confirmed "a nice room with a double bed and a bath" for the dates of February 13-15, 1950. typing the confirmation on the back of the Hotel Postcard and senting it to Helen Bishop (presumably a travel agent that was used). Note: Postage 1 cent. [show more]

Description:They spent the three nights of their Honeymoon. February 13, 14, and 15 at the St Francis Hotel in Union Square. (Address simply: Union Square, San Francisco 19, Calif.) Today that very same hotel, owned by the Westin, continues to serve an elegant clientele. The cost of the room was a princely $8 per night. They ate at the restaurant (or had rooms service) for $4.97 and spent $1.75 on the valet. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westin_St._Francis [show more]

Description:Here is the hotel´s brochure. Touting its rooms and elegant dining, as well as the Mural Room, "San Francisco´s Most Elegant Dining and Dance". The brochure was provided by the Mr. Foster Travel Service of Hollywood, California, and has Miss Bishop´s phone number on it, presumably their travel agent. [show more]

Description:Hi and Betty ate at the Cliff House in San Francisco. The Cliff House ("Where San Francisco Began") was an icon of the City, until its closing just 3 months before this data is being entered. https://cliffhouse.com/ All of its pieces were being auctioned off, including old dishes, etc. [show more]

Description:Its unclear if this was kept as a memento of a restaurant serving a lunch special for $.90 or the list of the cost of a dinner party for 12 people, including a wine and a meal. Perhaps the cost of catering a post-wedding meal?

Description:That man again, standing next to a car, with the boys driving. George and Mort in Indian Head dress, with some other kids. Then Ethel and the 3 boys standing on the "Los Angeles Limited" heading back to L.A. after a visit in Chicago. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Limited: Beginning in 1905 the Los Angeles Limited was the flagship train of the Union Pacific between Chicago and Los Angeles. (From Chicago to Omaha the train was handled by the Chicago and North Western Railway). Union Pacific, which owned the train, completed the trip via Cheyenne, Ogden, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas and San Bernardino. In early years the schedule was 68–74 hours; in November 1926 the schedule dropped to 63 hours each way to justify a $10 extra charge (which ended in June 1929). [show more]

Description:Jack was a little bit of Archie Bunker, I think, but a kind man. That newspaper was probably opened to the Racing Form.

Description:Jackie with her friends apparently at College in Chicago and Masha striking some poses in the Windy City. Below, left, is Sasha, holding a cigarette, probably around Los Angeles at those damn and construction pictures which are observed in other photos. Hi and Sasha at a Take My Photo Booth. Finally, lower right, Sasha in a jacket and tie. [show more]

Description:L.A. Bloom´s third youngest sister was Anna, who married Sam Talmey. Anna and Sam and had three children, Meta, Jackie, and Marty. Jackie is depicted here in 1942. Judging by other pictures it appears she was in college in Chicago at the time. This picture was taken "In memory of the 5100 Club". The 5100 Club was a nightclub/restaurant in Chicago, in the 1940's. The entertainer Danny Thomas got his start there. https://www.ebay.com/itm/1940s-Chicago-Illinois-5100-Club-Danny-Thomas-AUTOGRAPHED-SIGNED-souvenir-photo-/353381575103 As staff don´t usually have their picture taken at their place of employment, this is probably a picture of Jackie when she went to the club as a guest. [show more]

Description:Jacqueline Talmy Schaeffer was Hi´s first cousin. Her parent was a sibling to LA Bloom. She married Gersh Schaeffer who had three children, Craig, Stacy and Corrie, both of whom married. Gersh, a physician, moved to Riverside, California, and died there. Jackie and Betty became close when Hi and Betty moved to Riverside in 1956 until 1960. They shared many things, including their pregnancies, giving birth to Barry and Stacie just a few days apart, being Kaiser Fontana Hospital at the same time. Here they share a lunch, perhaps at the Riverside Country Club to which the Schaeffers belonged. The photo is dated July, 1960, which might be just before (or perhaps just after) Hi and Betty moved back to Los Angeles, California. The women at the left is "someone", but I can´t recall her name. Note her white gloves, the appropriate style of the day. [show more]