Mr. Roberts SUIT

Can't pull anything over on the Sepia Saturday crowd.

Here's Mr. Roberts back in the 1930s in full diving suit. To see other posts about Mr. Roberts click on "Mr. Roberts" in the labels below.


Click on image to see it larger.

Mr. Roberts SHOES

This will be a two part post. Today the shoes in keeping with this weeks Sepia Saturday challenge. Tomorrow the man in the shoes.



Anyone want to guess what these shoes are? I'm thinking it's almost too easy.

Deconstructing THE CLASS: Final Row

Bows! Bows! Bows! What about the girls without bows?

The ringmaster.

Click on image to see it larger.

And so we finally see the end of the unknown class from an unknown place.

Deconstructing THE CLASS: Part 3

And now, some of the little girls with those dang bows in their hair.

Yes, the bows look cute, but imagine having that stuck on your head all day. I would think it especially annoying during recess. And I often think of what it would be like to sit behind them in a classroom when you're trying to see the blackboard. Sort of like when in the early '60s you'd be seated in a movie theater and see a woman heading down the aisle in front of you with a beehive hairdo. You'd be muttering to yourself, "Please don't sit in front of me. Please don't sit in front of me. Dang!"

Deconstructing THE CLASS: Part 2

The remainder of the little boys. You can see yesterday's group here.

To see other deconstructed class photos click on "class photos" in the labels.

Deconstructing THE CLASS

I have no idea if people enjoy these deconstructions or not. I do, because in a group shot the individuals are easily lost. So let's let each one of the kids from a class photo have their moment to shine, no matter how dull they might appear.

You can construct your own Lord of the Flies with these little fellows.

I have no information about where or when the photo was taken. The full photo will appear later in the week.

To see other deconstructed class photos click on "class photos" in the labels.

WHY is this man smiling?

Seriously, that's the extent of this post. Why is this man smiling?

I see London, I SEE FRANCE

This image is a repost, but probably not familiar to Sepia Saturday chums.

In keeping with Alan's fascinating theme I give you the headless ladies.


Click on image to see it larger.

It's most likely just me, but whenever I look at this shot I see the flag of France; navy blue, white, and red. I do wonder what the photographer was thinking. How could they have framed it so nicely and not noticed the heads were missing. Was this an accident or a Francophile at work?

Due to a possible cold front coming into my head (and I wish it would make up its mind, be sick or not be sick!) I think I may need to have my head removed for a few days. Should there be photos of this occurrence I will immediately post them.

Have a Coca-Cola at Capitol Square in DETROIT

The only thing I knew when I bought this vintage snapshot is that it was taken somewhere in Detroit. Having never been to Detroit, I had no idea where this might actually be.


Click on image to see it larger.

Thank goodness for the statue in the square. I did a little googling and found that this is called Capitol Square. The statue is of Stevens T. Mason, referred to as “Michigan’s boy governor.” His remains are beneath the monument. Nice enough place to be buried, wouldn’t you say? Not so fast.



By 1955, though the statue was still there, the park had been turned into the DSR Capitol Park bus station. Let’s just say trees were apparently in the way. People going here and there, around the square, walked by the remains of their first governor, worried they’d make their connection.

(SOURCE: General Motors Truck & Coach promotional brochure)

Today it seems the park has been taken back in time to being once again a park…sort of, as can be seen by a photo posted at Shorpy within the comments section.

What’s even more interesting about the post at Shorpy is that the historical photo shows the park from the opposite direction as the one I own. In fact, I think it’s pretty safe to say my photo was taken in the tall building across from the far end of the park. That’s pretty cool to actually be able to see the area a full 360 degrees.

(SOURCE: Shorpy)

The photo at Shorpy dates back to 1912. You can see cars on the road which help to date it. In my shot there aren’t any vehicles to be seen, which in itself seems strange. I’m hoping someday someone will step forward to provide an approximate date. The Coca-Cola sign might be the key.

Do take a look at the large shot at Shorpy. The clarity is quite amazing.

UPDATE: I have found a postcard dated 1914 that shows the 4% Detroit United Bank sign, so I'm guessing my photo dates to around the same time.

BEULAH SHIRLEY

On the back it says "Beulah Shirley." A penny for her thoughts in this penny photo.


Click to see Beulah larger.

THELMA New York

On the back it says "Thelma New York."



I'll go out on a limb here and guess her name was Thelma. What's the rest of the story?

In my mind this was one of several shots taken in a photobooth to send to a young man she'd met. She wanted him to remember her, but didn't want to appear too forward so she just put "Thelma New York" in hopes he would remember her.

Her smile makes me think of Johnny Mathis which has me thinking of this song. I'd like to think that Thelma found the boy who loved her even if he wasn't from New York.

Now we're COOKIN' WITH GAS!

Thinking of buying a new stove? Not finding what you want? Step back in time to January 12, 1927 to a small store south of San Francisco along the Peninsula that sold stoves by Tappan.


Click on image to see it larger.

If either of these guys try to sell you one of these…think twice. It’ll be a real pain trying to find parts.

Tappan appliances was founded by W.J. Tappan as the Ohio Valley Foundry Company in Bellaire, Ohio in 1881 selling cast-iron stoves door-to-door. The company relocated to Mansfield, Ohio in 1889 and was renamed the Eclipse Stove Company before being renamed the Tappan Stove Company. It was acquired by Electrolux in 1979.

Tappan claims several innovations, including:

▪ 1920s all-porcelain range available in various colors
▪ 1955 the first microwave oven model for home use.
▪ 1960s electric ignition for gas ranges
▪ 1965 single unit conventional range and microwave oven.

(SOURCE: Wikipedia)

I'm guessing that this fellow is the boss. His shoes are shined.



I'm guessing this fellow is not the boss. His shoes are not shined.



And I'm guessing that most paper doll lovers would be thrilled to find one of these cut-outs.



This post allows Sepia Saturday posters to find a way to cook all of the staples Alan has recommended for this weeks post.