Vintage Photo: A Mom and Her Two Children

Posted on by Rebecca C.

Yes, I am one of those weird people who stare at photos for long periods. I know, I do not know their story. I wish I did. I find each old photo fascinating. To me, the picture is a glimpse back in time, a lost moment, a lost memory.

Of course, I am only guessing the woman in this particular photo is the mother to the two children. The photo does not provide clues to their location. I can tell they are near a cement wall. They seem to be dressed more formally, which makes me think they are attending church or a wedding.

The negative was in horrible condition. If you look closely at the photo, you can still see scratches and errors. But I cleaned it up to the best of my ability without losing the image details. From the style of negative, I am assuming the photo was taken around the late 1940s or early 1950s.

Let me know what you think about the photo.

Until next time…peace

Vintage Photo: Family Posing on Steps

Posted on by Rebecca C.

The photo features a family standing on the steps in front of a house. Generally, I would like to think the photo was taken for a special occasion, a holiday or a wedding. But often family photos were taken on a day of a funeral.

I do not have any information about this family. My guess…well I am assuming the two men and the women standing in the background are all brothers and sisters. They do resemble one another. Of course, the other woman standing in the front row is holding the one man’s hand. Considering the era of the photo, I would guess they are man and wife.

By the style of clothing, I would date the photo around the late 1940s.

Let me know what you think.

Until next time…peace

Vintage Photo: 16 Mile Hike at Maleas, Greece

Posted on by Rebecca C.

With the stay-at-home order extended here in Michigan until May 15th, I have lots of time to sort through old photos and clippings. Now, this photo was found in my grandfather’s stuff. On the back in his handwriting reads, “Flossie’s friends.” Flossie, a surgical nurse, born in 1899 was his older sister.

The back of the photo provides further information in handwriting that I do not recognize.

“Coming back from a 16-mile walk to the top of the mountain at Maleas, Greece. November 1st, 1928.”

After a quick Internet search, I realize the photo refers to Cape Maleas, Greece which is absolutely beautiful. I have officially added the site to my bucket list.

What do I notice and wonder about the photo?

  • Other than the guns, I do not view any other types of provisions.
  • The man with the cap is smoking a cigarette which was normal for this era.
  • Who is taking the photo? Perhaps, the provisions and hiking gear is with that person.
  • They seem to be in good spirits after hiking 16 miles.
  • What are their names?
  • How did they know my Great Aunt Flossie?

Tell me what you think?

Until next time…peace

 

 

3 Men in the Military

Posted on by Rebecca C.

The man on the left shows up in a lot of these negatives that I am digitalizing right now. I am assuming the photos originally belonged to him.

Like the other photos, I do not have any background information. I can tell the images are from an Army base. But I do not know any other data.

If you happen to notice something familiar, please share your findings in the comments.

Until next time…peace

The Women of 818

Posted on by Rebecca C.

Old photos are always a wonder to me. I do not have any information about these three women. I can tell they are at house 818. But beyond that, I do not know their story.

I do see a resemblance in their facial features. I am guessing they are related. I wonder if the woman on the right actually lives at 818. She is the only one without a coat. Perhaps, they were getting a quick photo before the other two women left.

Until next time…peace

Lost Memories: A Man in Uniform

Posted on by Rebecca C.

The photo, A Man in Uniform, is from a recently purchased group of negatives. The seller did not have any background information on the box of negatives. As I slowly digitalize them, I can tell many are old military photos. My knowledge of the military is slim. I have heard wonderful stories. Actually, many tales are from family members. I even volunteer with a group that sends care packages to military personnel stationed overseas. But, beyond the basics, I am clueless. 

So what do I notice about the man in the photo?

  • I believe he is in the Army. (Please do not yell at me if I got it wrong.)
  • I am assuming from the tents, he was stationed overseas.
  • Judging from the amount of dirt on his boots, the terrain is wet. Perhaps, they just had a rainfall.
  • I think the structure at the end of the tents is a mess hall or medical building.
  • The first four letters of his last name are: SMAL
  • Every tent has a trash can on the outside.

Did I miss anything? What do you see?

I would love to learn his story. Was the photo taken during wartime? Did he come home safely? Did he marry? Have children and grandchildren? I will probably never know.

Until next time…peace

Vintage Photo: Dinner Party

Posted on by Rebecca C.

Yes, I am guessing they are at a dinner party. Actually, I think they are celebrating a birthday or a small wedding. The candelabras make me think the image may be from a wedding.

When I enlarge the photo, I can see more details including:

  • Gifts on the back table which could be for a wedding, birthday, or other celebration.
  • Champagne or wine bottle on the rectangle table. The front table does have filled wine glasses. At first, I thought the glasses had water in them.
  • The plates in the background have neatly wrapped little boxes. I can assume the boxes are wrapped with napkins with a trinket inside.
  • The man sitting at the front table seems to be unwrapping the box.
  • The second woman on the left is starring down at something which I am assuming was in the boxes.
  • The people at the table are either drinking coffee or tea.
  • There’s a lollipop sitting on the table.

Do you see anything I may have missed?

One aspect I love about this photo, everything is washable. The plates, cups, saucers, coffee pot, and other serving ware are reusable. Personally, I think that is habit we all need to implement in our daily lives.

Until next time…peace

 

Vintage Photo: Men by Fallen Tree

Posted on by Rebecca C.

I do not have any information about this photo. The picture is from a box of negatives I purchased off eBay. The seller did not have any data on the images.

In my opinion, the men in the photo look related. The two men in the front could be father and son. Of course, with all my old photos, I am just guessing. Do you see the resemblance between the men?

I wonder if they were just posing for a group photo. Or perhaps, they were cutting the tree down for a specific use.

What do you think?

Until next time…peace

 

Vintage Photo: Market

Posted on by Rebecca C.

With all my old photos, my view is simply guesswork. I am assuming this photo is a market. I could be wrong. I would love to hear your thoughts.

In the right lower corner, I can see produce on a table or stand. Many markets sell fruits. I can see watermelons and potatoes. I cannot tell if the other is small baked bread or yams. Below the stand, there are baskets with other items.

In the foreground, there is another stand with a number 1437. I am guessing this is a booth number for selling produce. I believe this stand has potatoes too.

My other observations:

  • I do not view any women in the photo.
  • I see one child, a boy in almost the middle of the picture. He looks to be concentrating on an object on the table.
  • The man in the left corner seems oblivious to the scene. He is smoking a cigarette and reading the paper.

What are your observations? Did I miss anything?

Until next time…peace

Vintage Photos: Zoo

Posted on by Rebecca C.

Does anyone recognize the zoo in these photos? I am curious to know if the zoo is still open today.

I believe the photos are from the 1960s.

 

I honestly cannot tell what type of animal is in the cage. Does anyone have a guess? Perhaps the creature is a monkey.

 

The photographer apparently enjoyed watching the bears. There were several photos of the bears.

I can’t help but think the one bear looks sad in the photo. I am not a fan of animals in cages. I do advocate rehabilitation and return to the wild when possible.
Of course, this bear does look like he/she is enjoying the attention of the crowd.
Does this bear seem close? I know there was probably a barrier. But animals should be protected from people.
Gibbon…yes I read the sign.
A giraffe…I hope he/she was not alone.

 

I love elephants. I hope to see one in the wild someday.

 

 

 

I am not certain if the duck photo is part of the zoo or not. Without any background, I have no way of knowing. But I know most zoos have ducks and other smaller animals.

 

I hope everyone has a great Saturday. Do you have a favorite zoo or wildlife sanctuary?

Until next time…peace

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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