Ladies in the Band

Posted on by Rebecca C.

The ladies in the band…well at least that is what I am calling them. I really do not know anything about their story. I purchased this set of negatives from an estate in Michigan. There was not any other information to go along with the find.

I have been trying to research the sign behind the ladies. I was hoping I could figure out a year for the pictures. Any ideas?
I have been trying to research the sign behind the ladies. I was hoping I could figure out a year for the pictures. Any ideas?

I would love for someone to tell me the story around their performance.

  • Were they in a band?
  • Were they putting on a program or play?
  • Were they travelers?
  • What type of music did they play?
  • Did anyone sing?

What Were They Doing?

I would love to hear your theories. Do you know their story?

Until next time….peace

 

The Milan Cathedral

Posted on by Rebecca C.

I recently purchased some negatives from an estate sale. Unlike photographs, I really cannot tell the subject matter of the negatives until I start turning them into images. I usually save the negatives for the winter months when the weather keeps me indoors. But, I could not sleep last night (too much caffeine). So, I decided to “play” with some photos.

One of the first images, I produced was this beautiful cathedral. After researching different architectural structures, I found out this is the Milan Cathedral in Italy. The structure is beautiful. I wish I could fly there right now to view the spectacular place. The Milan Cathedral is 5th largest church in the entire world. We definitely do not have anything that amazing around here. Here are some other facts:

  • The Milan Cathedral is the second largest church in Italy.
  • The cathedral is dedicated to St. Mary of the Nativity.
  • The Italian Gothic cathedral took over six centuries to build. Originally started in 1386 and finished in 1965.
  • The cathedral has a capacity of 40,000.
  • The cathedral is made out of Candoglia marble.
  • The cathedral holds the seat of the Archbishop of Milan which is currently Cardinal Angelo Scola.

The old image I revised does not even come close to showing the beauty of the place. As a person who loves history, I definitely would like to visit the Milan Cathedral. I was on their official website. (http://www.duomomilano.it/en/visit-us/) The cathedral holds various events including organ concerts, Concert by the Choir of Duomo di Milano, and Concert for violin e violcello. The concerts and the guided tours would keep me there for days.

Until next time…..peace

 

When We Wrote Letters

Posted on by Rebecca C.

Before the electronic age, we wrote letters. Technically I still  write letters, I have pen pals all over the world which I communicate with via the “old” way. I like sipping on tea while writing a letter. I find the process to be a creative outlet.

I am a history fanatic. I am not talking about the grand events that everyone learns about in schooling. I am referring to the ordinary people who lived decades ago. I spend time restoring old photos that I pick up at yard and estate sales. I also pick up old scrap books.(I know, I am slowly heading to be a future candidate for that show “Hoarders”).

Anyways, I thought I would share a letter from 1934. I copied it out to the best of my ability; some of the hand writing was hard to read.

St. Johns, Michigan

May 21, 1934

Dear People:

Did the sand storm hit you tonight? We had just finish supper. I sailed around and closed up all doors and windows. It was fierce for a little while. It’s trying hard to rain but I’m afraid it won’t do a very good job and we do need rain so badly.

Alex sent me some cabbage and tomato plants. I sent them out last Thurs. night. I was out looking at them tonight. I see they are doing quite well in spite of dry weather. I must put in some more stuff. The lettuce and radishes are up and the onion sets are growing fine.

R.D. (?) has the silo corn in 6 acres. Then, he has about 3 more acres ready to plant and about 6 more acres to plow. The cement is all in and dry for the horse stable floor and the men are putting the stalls in. We keep the horses across the way in McPhearson barn. The old hog had 11 little hogs yesterday and she has 6 left so far. Dale took 6 pigs and a calf for us in his load last Mon. night. He got here about 12 p.m.

Morning 9:00 R.D. folks and Lydia Chas. and Pauline came last night so I didn’t have time to write anymore. We had been to bed about an hour when Dale and Yolanda (?) came popping in. She came after some bedding to take on their trip. Next Sunday night she is invited to a Mimanite (I think it’s supposed to be Mennonite) wedding so she probably won’t be home till Mon. night and by that time may be something else will pop up.

Well it’s a lovely cool morning after the storm. Not enough rain but it helped out a lot. When do you have Decoration? Donnalee said you have Augusta’s and Lloyd’s reception this coming Friday eve. I hope for the sake of your pocketbooks there won’t be any more weddings for some time. Does Augusta come to church?

There were just a few out to church Sunday here. Hardly as many as we have at home.

Does Arlene like her place as well as ever?

Guess I will have to wait till Donnalee gets home to get my flowers over there.

R.D. don’t have any time to run around and I can’t drive yet.

Wayne can but of course he can’t get a driver’s license yet. Well there is a lot of work waiting to be done so must get at it.

We don’t have to separate the milk anymore. Take it to the cheese factory every morning in the Rapids.

We are all well per usual and hope you are too.

Love to all

Lola B.P.

The Buch girls ask about you Saturday.  Yesterday Kaufman’s and the Lindsey’s called for about an hour. Mr. and Mrs. Hillyer were here Thurs. night for finger ? which she got. Yes, our kitchen is done. I guess this week I plan to do more cleaning.

Lots of Love

Mother.

 

 If anyone is interested, you can find some of my photo restoration work here.

http://thephotogypsy.zenfolio.com/pastmemories

The Face of the Lady in the Black Coat

Posted on by Rebecca C.

For the last couple of weeks, I have been working on this particular set of photos that I purchased from an estate sale last summer. The photo work is time consuming because the images are being taking off from old slides which means I have to scan each one. Then, apply any corrections or repairs to the digital image.

I have not been able to identify any particular landmark or state (or even which country) these photos were original snapped.  So far, the photos have shown a warm climate with palm trees and beaches.  Many of these photos also had a woman in a black coat.  The lady always had her back turned or the photo was completely blurred. So, I could not really see who was in these photos….until today.  Thankfully, the lady in the black coat and traveling companion had their photo snapped by a sign.

The sign gave me more information than any of all the previous photos so far.  The ladies had their picture taking at the Castillo de San Marcos which is a U.S. National Monument on the shore of Matanzas Bay in St. Augustine, Florida.  The sign reads:

U.S. Department of the Interior-National Park Service

Castillo de San Marcos

National Monument

The Spanish fort, begun in 1672, stood firm against English attacks and helped Spain to hold Florida for many years. During the American Revolution it was a British stronghold.

 Later it become a U.S. Military prison.

Open daily 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. – Admission 25¢

Children Under 12 Free

The fort definitely has a long standing history; I love the fact that admission was a quarter. I have been to fort here in Michigan; the cost is definitely more than a quarter.  I am not saying the forts or monuments are not worth the costs, I am just pointing out the difference in pricing.

If I were to make assumptions about this photo, I would guess the photo was taking in the late 1960’s to early 70’s.  I base this opinion on the fact that I took the photo from a slide. The women were most likely traveling with their husbands or as part of tour group.  I am hoping as I make my way through the rest of these slides, I can find more details.  The sets I am currently working on have more of the fort (I am assuming) plus other tourist type photos.  Who knows perhaps someday, someone will recognize one these ladies and be able to tell me their story.

 

Vintage Photos: A Moment Caught in Time

Posted on by Rebecca C.

I work a lot with old photos, negatives and slides. I am also beginning to learn the techniques to scan old 8mm and 16mm film reels. I find all of them to be fascinating as a way of capturing a moment in time.  A historical moment for families, friends and loved ones to look back upon with great memories which is why I often refer to my work as finding lost memories; a moment caught in time for future viewers. The photos go back decades.

So, where do I find my photos?  Honestly? Everywhere, I have purchased them at estate, garage and yard sales.  I have acquired some through auctions.  I have had numerous negatives just given to me.  People come across them in attics and old drawers.  They have no use for them.  So they pass them on to me which I am extremely grateful.

For those who do give me negatives or slides, I make a digital copy disc in return.  Perhaps, they have a family member who can recognize a person or place in one of the photos that I work on.  I work with old photos as a way to relax.  I know that sounds crazy, but I enjoy the process of bringing an old photo to life after numerous years of being idle.

You can check out some of my recent work at:   http://thephotogypsy.zenfolio.com/vintagecandids