The BIRTHDAY Girls

This lovely little vintage real photo postcard was given to me for my birthday. No date on it, but it was sent to my friend's grandmother.

Click on image to see it larger.

_____

Tattered and Lost volumes 1 to 7 available at Amazon.

It's TEA TIME IN SCOTLAND

The only information I have about this real photo postcard is that it's from Scotland and belonged to my grandmother. One of the few things she brought with her to California. Imagine this in her suitcase as she came through Ellis Island.

Click on image to see it larger.

It's tea time for sure, but for what purpose? Was this during the war? I'm guessing it was and perhaps my grandmother knew someone in the photo. No idea where this was actually taken, but it was in the same bundle of cards that contained this one I posted on December 11th.

Just look at that sponge cake on the plate. I'd have happily taken a piece. They do look a bit like the downstairs crew from Downton.
___________


Tattered and Lost: Forgotten Dolls

This one is for those who love dolls!
Snapshots from the last 100+ years of children and adults with dolls. 

EVERYBODY look over here…EXCEPT FOR AGNES

Dear sweet Agnes, never one to trust strangers, or the uncle who frowned, or traveling salesmen who didn't bring her favorite flavor of gum drops. Yes, dear sweet Agnes who terrified many a teacher with her stare. Dear dear sweet Agnes.




Click on image to see it larger.
_________________

Available at Amazon 
Tattered and Lost: The Quiet Art of Reading

EVERYBODY look over here!

Me thinks the lassie in plaid is not following the rule. And the little one in the front is thinking, "Why? Why? Can't we just go eat?!"


_________________

Available at Amazon 
Tattered and Lost: The Quiet Art of Reading

EVERYBODY look over here!

So is the boy in the hat looking in the correct direction or not?



Is the one lad saying, "No! No! It hurts my eyes!"
_________________

You know, having a broken ankle means I can't go to the flea markets, the antique stores, or estate sales. Now, this has been a problem for me since the fall of 2013 when I tore the ligaments in my ankle, but over the past few months I've been able to stand for longer periods of time. Anyone who collects old snapshots knows how important standing can be. Now I'll be back to square one. No standing. I'm really bummed right now even thinking about this.
_________________

Available at Amazon 
Tattered and Lost: The Quiet Art of Reading

EVERYBODY look over here!

The question is…did they?



Deconstructing a family photo in four parts.
_________________

Available at Amazon 
Tattered and Lost: The Quiet Art of Reading

CATEGORIES: Pets…specifically DOGS

The theme for Sepia Saturday this week also works nicely as a collectible vernacular photography category—pets and those who love them. Some people specialize in collecting photos of dogs. In fact, there are at least two books that feature nothing but photos of dogs. You'll find links to them in the left column available at Amazon (Photobooth Dogs and Dogs). I'm especially fond of the photobooth shots of dogs. My dog would never sit still long enough to have his photo taken in a photobooth. Shoot, I can barely get him to stand still long enough in the house to get a shot that isn't blurred. He's a puppy and has energy to spare. I'm envious.

These photos are both real photo postcards. They are from Donald G. Schnabel's family photo album, most likely taken in Ohio.


Click on image to see it larger.

I'm especially fond of this second shot. It reminds me of an image from a silent movie.



I doubt I'll ever set out to find snapshots of pets. If I find something that really speaks to me I'll buy it, but it's not a category I'll have to have. I've already got enough photos of all the pets I've owned over the years. They are the perfect category.

To see previous posts about dogs click "dog" in the tags below.
_________________

Available at Amazon 
Tattered and Lost: The Quiet Art of Reading

RELATIVELY speaking...

This real photo postcard comes from a collection of family photos from Scotland. Not one face looks familiar, so I'm left wondering who these ladies were and why did my grandmother have this photo.


Click on image to see it larger.

The influence of Japan on Western culture and art for the masses began, I believe, in the 1850s. Of course, this photo is not that old. I'm guessing this was taken sometime during the first couple of decades of the 20th century. It was never posted so it had to be before the late teens when my grandparents moved from Scotland to California.

A group of Scottish friends having this photo taken for fun? Sort of like photos taken today where you dress up like a character from the old West? Possible.

I'm more inclined to believe that these ladies were from a performance of The Mikado by Gilbert and Sullivan. Now who wouldn't want to hear it performed by a group of Scots with a thick brogue?

So this card might have been for a theater troupe. We'll never know unless someday someone else comes across a copy of one and has a better explanation.

Whenever I look at this photo I think of the kimono I had that was stolen. Many years ago my home was broken into and many items were stolen. Damn alarm system wasn't working. Over the years I would suddenly remember things that I hadn't seen in a long time, adding items to the mental list of what the burglar took. My kimono from my childhood was one of them. They left the yellow obi, probably not knowing what it was. It was a beautiful red kimono with flowers and butterflies.

When I lived in Hawaii as a child my best friend and I would play samurai and geisha instead of the cowboy and indians we'd played when living on the Mainland. It still makes me very sad to think my kimono was taken. It was mine, it was infused with my memories, and I cherished it. Now? Who knows where it is or if it still even exists. It might have ended up as a rag and now be covered in refuse at the dump. Okay, now I'm just making myself really sad.

Let's go back to thinking that this was a group of ladies who were friends of my Scottish grandmother. They went out for the day to Edinburgh, had their photo taken, then went somewhere pleasant for tea and scones. Girdle (griddle) scones, please.

This is my submission for Sepia Saturday this week.

TIME-TRAVELING Geraldo

If you've seen the recent selfie-photo of "journalist" Geraldo Rivera you're probably trying to find a way to scrub that corner of your memory.

Image be gone! Be gone I tell you! 

The photo should have come with a warning, like what you're told when there is an eclipse. "Don't directly look at the image, you'll cause brain damage." But if you did look and are now suffering along with so many other people around the world I give you perhaps some relief. This is an image I posted for the first time in 2008; Geraldo as a time-traveling celebrity. Still a preening strutting wingless bird, but perhaps a bit more palatable. I'm wondering if in the current shot he was also wearing the black socks and shoes.

TWO OF A KIND Is What It Says On the Back...

but I think I prefer "Half-assed."


Click on image to see it larger.

MEET MY FRIEND Governor Bill O'Neill, with the "C" that stood for nothing

There are just so many snarky things I could say about this vintage post card, but I'll keep my mouth shut. Politics are a touchy subject these days and rightfully so considering how some of the insane have taken over the asylum.

Not running for your vote is Governor Bill O'Neill, but at one time you could get your photo taken with him for a cheesy political fundraising gimmick. From what I've found online he was going for the very old vote. Don't believe me? Then look here and here. And Governor O'Neill with his family.




Click on either image to see it larger.

C. William O'Neill (The C stands for nothing) (February 14, 1916 - August 20, 1978) was a Republican politician from Ohio. He was born in Marietta, Ohio. He was the 59th Governor of Ohio. He graduated from both Marietta College (1938) and The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law (1942). While at Marietta he joined The Delta Upsilon University.

O'Neill served as a state representative and as Speaker of the House. He was then elected the State Attorney General in 1950, being the youngest person elected to the office at age 34. He served from 1951–1957, when he was elected to the governorship. O'Neill served until 1959. He was defeated for reelection due to his support of the controversial proposed "right to work" amendment to the Ohio Constitution. He served on the Ohio Supreme Court from 1960 until his death serving as an associate justice, then Chief Justice. O'Neill was the only Ohioan to serve in top leadership positions in the legislative, executive and judicial branches of Ohio.

O'Neill was married to Betty Hewson on July 29, 1945, and they had two children. He died August 20, 1978, and his funeral service was at First Community Church in Columbus. He was buried at Oak Grove Cemetery in Marietta. (SOURCE: Wikipedia)

To read more about the Governor's life outside posing with elderly constituents click here.

Just think of all the numbskulls who will be getting their photos taken with other numbskulls this week all wearing incredibly stupid hats. Gives a person pause.

MINNIE GURR with friends

I believe this is the only other shot I have of Minnie Gurr, this time with friends.

I'd like to introduce you to Minnie's friends Eunice Robinson on the top with May Flournoy in the middle.






Good luck figuring out what Minnie wrote.

MrCachet from Old Paper Art has deciphered the card:

When are you coming to (Union?) I have spent most of this summer visiting, and am now on to (?) I got the little cushion I am sending you in Atlantic City, N.J.

Mary Lou from Mary Lou Rambles suggests the following:

To me it looks like "am now in Augusta"

UPDATE: Some information about May Flournoy, second from the top, and Eunice Robinson, top, provided by IntenseGuy.

He located May's headstone at Find a Grave.

May was born on October 4, 1890 and died September 24, 1982. She was married to Forest C. Glenn, born on January 13, 1885, died on August 18, 1938. That's a long time to be a widow.

The following is about Eunice:

Eunice Robinson appears to have been a pre-college friend and the "baby of the bunch."  She married Mr. Roper (not of the TV show fame). Her find-a-grave memorial is here.  From what I can tell from the US Census records, Eunice was employed at a cotton mill as a cloth checker - and later a farmer's wife. I'm not 100% sure this is the "right Eunice" but she and Minnie Gurr were both from Trion, Chattooga, Georgia.

Eunice Blanche Robinson was born on August 4, 1892 and died April 19(?), 1981,

If anyone is a member of Find a Grave and would like to post May's or Eunice's image at the site let me know.