We'll Never See All of His RIGHT HAND

The interesting fellow with the thin fingers and the odd hair has a secret. We'll never actually know what his right hand looks like. I'm presuming it's just a reverse of his left hand, but who really knows. Not exactly one of the mysteries of life, but come on. Open up your right hand.

Interestingly, her hand looks the same as his only smaller. Same long fingers. Shall we call them slim pickens?



The real joy in this photo is seeing him and the lady so happy. At least he appears happy. She looks content. Sometimes content is enough.

And I finally found the first photo I'd posted of him back in November of 2014. For him, his hair is a bit messy and I feel as if he's about to tap-dance out of the frame at any minute. A little shuffle off to Centralia.

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Tattered and Lost volumes 1 to 7 available at Amazon.

Did He PLAY THE PIANO?

At some point in the past I featured this fellow, but now I can't find the post. No problem; I have two more photos of him. I'm fascinated by his left hand. Such thin fingers. Did he play the piano? He has the hands for it; or at least a left hand for it. He has the hair for it. Can't you just imagine him striking the keys madly while his hair flies around? Or perhaps his hair didn't move. It is a strange hairdo.



As to what "Deluxe Centralia" means embossed on the card...don't have a clue. Any ideas?
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Tattered and Lost volumes 1 to 7 available at Amazon.

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.
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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?!"


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

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.

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.

The BLUES ARE GONE

This photo, a cyanotype, has always reminded me of actor Jeff Daniels. There’s a kindness in this fellows face that I see in Daniels.



This is the only cyanotype I have in my collection. It reminds me of long ago when book galleys would arrive from the compositor that were called “blues.” Editorial hated when they arrived because the chemical smell was overwhelming and they were forced to go through each page, line by line, hunting for errors. And the smell did not stay in editorial. It drifted across the divider walls into the art department. Windows would be open no matter what time of year it was.

To explain, when typesetting went from hot metal type to photo-composition things changed. Previously galleys were pulled directly from the hot metal that had been set. When photo-composition came along the galleys, still called galleys though not technically what the original word had meant, were photo processed on light sensitive paper and you ended up with blues. Think of being stuck in a small room with 20 tons of Stainmaster carpet with no venting. It’s been a very long time since I’ve seen blues. Don’t miss them at all!

As to Jeff Daniels? I get my fix every Sunday on the new Aaron Sorkin HBO show The Newsroom. Haven't completely made up my mind yet about the show. The dialogue is clever which can be Sorkin's downfall, but it can also be his strength. I'll give the show time. It's just nice to see Daniels.

X4XM27XU5KKG

The UNKNOWN VETERANS

From what I can determine, Camp Pike was located in Arkansas. You can see photos of the camp here, here, and here.

To see more photos like the one above with the flag go here, here, here, here, and here. (SOURCE: 3rd Division Photos)

We're just a few years away from the anniversary of the start of World War I. Doesn't seem that we've progressed very much since then towards resolving conflicts peacefully. One current presidential candidate has even said that should he be elected we can expect to go to war with another country. Odd how politicians are always so cavalier about war. They love to get their photos taken in front of flags. So both patriots and cowards like to use the flag for their own purpose. It's up to us to determine which sort of person they are.

This is my contribution for the Sepia Saturday post for its 100th anniversary.

The lady, the baby, and the WICKER CHAIR

I had a wicker chair very similar to this when I was a child. Mine had a tighter weave and was a rocking chair. This too may be a rocker.

The chair had been my dad's chair, then his brother's, then mine. Eventually it got passed along to my cousins who...let's just say the chair never looked as nice anymore and it no longer rocks.

I occasionally see similar chairs at antique stores and those old complex memories come back bathing me in a smile.

My mother always said that if she saw me sitting in the chair for too long it was time to get out the thermometer. I do remember sitting in my room rocking back and forth "reading" my books and listening to my Golden Records.

Speaking of Golden Records, there's a fun site worth visiting called Little Golden Records. This week Rockin' Jeff is featuring The Ballad of Davy Crockett. If you're of a certain age this will give you pause.

As to this real photo post card all I can say is I'm a bit confused.

Click on image to see it larger.

I can tell by the last name "Rich" that this woman and child were related to Gertrude Bowen since her maiden name was Rich. Other than that I'm simply confused.

"This is Frances Rich with Frances Rich."

Why do people do this? Why make life anymore confusing than it is?

This RPPC is from the Ten Buck Box.

THE LADIES WHO LUNCH with the pigeons

Why is it feeding pigeons is fun when on vacation? We wouldn't want them sitting on our head when we're at home, but go to Venice and you can't avoid having your photo taken feeding them. I've done it. Pigeon on my head, smile on my face.

I don't know the story behind this real photo postcard. I have two of them. Ladies on vacation on a rainy day. Perhaps a bus tour. They look British so I'm imaging this trip to the continent was one they saved for and wouldn't let the rain dampen their happiness. They were smart enough to even pack galoshes in their bags. They've been through a war. No rain or pigeon poop is going to ruin their day. I just love how happy they are. The old gals are still giggling.

EDITH WILKINSON

This is Edith. I believe the last name is Wilkinson. That's how I interpret the handwriting on the back in pencil. She's a very pretty girl with shiny shoes. And an interesting chair. An armrest only on the one side. Clever. Just think how clumsy the photo would have looked if the other armrest were there. Instead it looks as if the missing armrest is actually part of the background painting. Yes, very clever.

Are young friends this formal anymore? I doubt it. Instead of a sweet little post card you'd be just as likely to receive a Tweet about what the person has just eaten or heaven forbid a sexting message. Yeah, things aren't like they used to be. Informal has taken on a new meaning. Little real thought is given to the person you are sending a message to. Plus it's being sent to perhaps dozens or hundreds at the same time.

This card must have been a nice little gift for Dina to receive. She kept it in good shape and eventually it ended up at that ramshackle house in Calistoga. Let's hope both Edith and Dina had good lives.

Who was JESSIE BLUE LIGHT?

This real photo post card was found at the same estate sale where I found the RPPC's from the previous two days. Other than saying the cards were purchased at a ramshackle house outside Calistoga, California I have no information. Well, I do have what is written on the back, Jessie Blue Light 1910.

Click on image to see it larger.

She fascinates me. There's drama in the photo because of the lighting, but she certainly isn't a dramatic person. She looks melancholy, which doesn't mean she was. I've said before I'm fascinated by the expressions on the old portrait faces only because I try to image them a moment before and after the shot was taken. I want to know if perhaps Jessie bent over laughing after this thinking it all so silly. She certainly doesn't look as glum as my posts the past two days.

Jessie looks like a school teacher, or a music teacher, or perhaps librarian. It's the pose, the stiff back. Perhaps the wife of a minister. But all of this is just me projecting and each of you will do the same. All of the people in these vernacular photographs are just actors in the story we tell. The truth rarely intrudes.

Then there's that name. A very unusual name. There's a story there for sure...lost to history.

WHY SO GLUM, part two

Here's the question. Are these two young ladies the melancholy older ladies of yesterday? Both real photo post cards bought at the same estate sale. If they are the same it seems they got even more glum as they got older.

Click on image to see it larger.

I keep hearing "Don't worry, be happy" in my head when I look at them. Perhaps they soon were dancing on the grass after the portrait was taken. I imagine there were lots of other people standing around watching since this wasn't taken in a studio, perhaps at their home. Good little schoolgirls.

Photo Processing MISTAKE

I've got a real find to share today. I know there are people out there who collect photos that are basically errors. Printing errors, camera problems, etc. Well, eat your heart out. I've got two of these real photo postcards, but one was printed upside down!

I'm talking huge value. HUGE!

Click on image to see it larger.

A HAT or a contraption?

Hats have always sort of confused me. Some look more like elaborate contraptions than a functional piece of clothing. If a hat is hard to keep on your head it seems to be the only function it has is fashion. Same with shoes. If you can't run in them when necessary they're just fashion, not function. Why is it we choose to put such contraptions at the top and the bottom of our body? Not sure there's an answer.

Click on image to see it larger.

The young lady on this RPPC is wearing a funny hat. Well, to me it's funny. It looks a bit like a salad bowl with the salad on the outside. She looks lovely enough, but what happened when she bent over? How many pins did she have sticking through her hair and hat to hold this on? Ever seen a hairpin? I imagine most young people have never seen those weapons of mass destruction. Some of them are lovely, but when I think of sticking a bunch of them on the top of my head I have to say a resounding "No!" This hat is perched. A perched hat.

For all the DALE EVANS and ANNIE OAKLEY's out there

I'm not forgetting the girls. Oh no I'm not!

This little lady had the nickname Lolly and she married a man in a uniform.

Real Photo Postcard

Virden redux

Many months ago, June 9th to be specific, I did a post about small town America featuring a real photo postcard of downtown Virden, Illinois. Several months later I received an email from someone who grew-up in Virden and I promised to post another shot when I returned from vacation. I forgot, but I've finally remembered.

This is a real photo postcard of what looks to be a really lovely street in Virden. The card was post dated on July 11 at 9:30 am but there is no year on the postal cancellation. I'd imagine it's around 1905 to 1910. Purely a guess. 

I wish I'd posted this during the summer because it has such a glorious summertime feeling to it, but I did promise this person I'd post it. I hope you and your folks enjoy this.

Click on image to see it larger.

From the sum of the pieces I GIVE YOU THE WHOLE

Did anyone put the pieces together like a puzzle? Three of the pieces would fit fine. Two others were much smaller. I now give you the complete RPPC.

Home from a long holiday weekend I can guarantee no pictures like this were taken of my family. No, mostly embarrassing close-ups with flash. Nothing that will ever be worthy of a future 100 years from now vernacular photography site. So relatives, you may rest easy. The shots are just between us.

Click on image to see it larger.