MC JC86
Negative Nancy.
Another item found cleaning up, I was given this photo album at a yard sale. The elderly woman selling it had it marked $0.50 and when I started looking at it she told me to just take it. Surprisingly, it was pictures of her family yet she didn't seem to care about it! It's very small, with contact size prints glued inside. I've had it for about 10 years now and haven't really looked at it since the day I got it. The pictures were so incredibly faded that most looked like nothing more than a yellow blob. It's rainy out and my 85 lanthar and Varifocal won't be here to play with until at least tomorrow, so I decided to scan them. Actually some really cool pictures. I didn't want my O/P to be 3 pages long, so I just posted my favorites, I hope it's no too excessive: If you're interested you can see the rest on the found film flickr I'm building (since I buy and sell a lot of used equipment, I get this kind of stuff from time to time and have come to collect it like cameras 
)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/foundkodachrome86/
Album Cover
Minstrels
Trapeze
Carousel
Monkey/Organ Grinder
Flag Bunting (is that the presidential seal?)
Inside a train.
Bike race, at the instant that the starter pistol is raised.
Ice Skating
Ladies Man
Steam Power at work
Butcher cart, looks like it says Leola, PA which is about 1 hr from me.
Gay olde tyme.
Children on cobblestone with an American flag.
I might post some more later in the day. I especially like the carnival shots. I can't tell exactly when or where they were taken but I think some are in Pennsylvania. I see a GAR monument in one shot, but no motor cars, so perhaps 1900-1920? Any comments, suggestions are appreciated. I apologize for my poor photoshop skills.. I did what was necessary to make the viewable.
)http://www.flickr.com/photos/foundkodachrome86/
Album Cover
Minstrels
Trapeze
Carousel
Monkey/Organ Grinder
Flag Bunting (is that the presidential seal?)
Inside a train.
Bike race, at the instant that the starter pistol is raised.
Ice Skating
Ladies Man
Steam Power at work
Butcher cart, looks like it says Leola, PA which is about 1 hr from me.
Gay olde tyme.
Children on cobblestone with an American flag.
I might post some more later in the day. I especially like the carnival shots. I can't tell exactly when or where they were taken but I think some are in Pennsylvania. I see a GAR monument in one shot, but no motor cars, so perhaps 1900-1920? Any comments, suggestions are appreciated. I apologize for my poor photoshop skills.. I did what was necessary to make the viewable.
malcD
Well-known
I think they are great --- shame they are small
Mr_Flibble
In Tabulas Argenteas Refero
Great find! Thanks for sharing them.
blw
Well-known
Those are cool as all hell! I'd be tempted to think that they are closer to 1910 and earlier. They might even be older than 1900 judging by some of the clothes and the total lack of motor vehicles. I'd also venture to guess this family was fairly well off at the time since one of them was apparently into bicycle racing. Also the one tennis photo would suggest a bit of wealth at least, I think.
MC JC86
Negative Nancy.
I know... I wish I could make some decent prints but the "originals" are only 1.5"x2" and have already deteriorated quite a bit.. didn't think it made since to make them any bigger.
EDIT: *made sense
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Muggins
Junk magnet
I agree with blw - the "leg of mutton" sleeves on the three ladies outfits were high fashion in the 1890s here in the UK, and with the transatlantic telegraph I don't suppose there was more than a few weeks lag between the US and Europe fashion wise. I scanned a bunch of photo albums a couple of years ago, largely dating to circa 1909, and there were sevearl motor cars in them, so that suggests an earlier date as well.
Photographically... ropy (bar the cyclists, which is a lovely strong image). Historically... stunning! Thank you for posting!
Adrian
Photographically... ropy (bar the cyclists, which is a lovely strong image). Historically... stunning! Thank you for posting!
Adrian
MC JC86
Negative Nancy.
Found some comparison shots (not my photographs): Lancaster, PA
'
Sorry for the inconsistent sizes and angles.
Sorry for the inconsistent sizes and angles.
kdemas
Enjoy Life.
Thanks for posting, very interesting! I might be tempted to make some drug store prints and drop them off at the home of the "seller". She might enjoy seeing the "cleaned-up" versions.
MC JC86
Negative Nancy.
I would love to.. but I bought them in a subdivision that was having a neighborhood-wide flea market, don't even remember what she looks like after 10 years.. It was in Elverson, PA in the Summerfield development just in case anyone who knows stumbles upon this.
EDIT: bought=was given
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goamules
Well-known
I'm often surprised at how quickly people give away their family history. Yes, photos are ubiquitous and bulky. But 100 years and 3-4 generations from when shot, they give the only glimpse you'll ever get of your ancestors.
A related thing is shown on Pawn Stars, Antique Road Show, and other recent get rich quick shows. Recently I saw a 20 something guy bring in his dads WWII bomber jacket and war memorabilia. SOLD! Another brought in a presidential gift given to his dad, with a picture of him receiving it from president Nixon. SOLD! And so on....Usually the seller gives a statement like, "this was my (dad's mom;s grandad's) favorite....but I'm not using it, and I could use the cash to (go to Vegas...buy an Ipad...).
I just don't get it. So some collector gets these photo albums, WWII bomber jackets, Presidential awards....and wonders about who they were owned by...
A related thing is shown on Pawn Stars, Antique Road Show, and other recent get rich quick shows. Recently I saw a 20 something guy bring in his dads WWII bomber jacket and war memorabilia. SOLD! Another brought in a presidential gift given to his dad, with a picture of him receiving it from president Nixon. SOLD! And so on....Usually the seller gives a statement like, "this was my (dad's mom;s grandad's) favorite....but I'm not using it, and I could use the cash to (go to Vegas...buy an Ipad...).
I just don't get it. So some collector gets these photo albums, WWII bomber jackets, Presidential awards....and wonders about who they were owned by...
MC JC86
Negative Nancy.
I know... I've been obsessed with history since I could talk so it's impossible for me to understand why anyone would give up a tangible part of their families history unless they couldn't afford not to.
Luddite Frank
Well-known
Given the style of clothing worn (especially the mens' hats), the "safety bicycles" with pneumatic tires on a board track, and the locomotive up on the trestle, I would date these photos somewhere between 1895 and 1900.
These are incredible... thanks for sharing !
These are incredible... thanks for sharing !
ChrisPlatt
Thread Killer
LabasArabas
Lithuanian Australian
Very interesting MC JC86.
There is a fascinating collection of found photos with messages written on the back sorted into themes here : http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/72877
At the bottom of the page there are more themes
There is a fascinating collection of found photos with messages written on the back sorted into themes here : http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/72877
At the bottom of the page there are more themes
3rdtrick
Well-known
Great find. Old photos are especially cool when you recognize the locations. Looks like the trestle in 'Steam Power' is in Downingtown... I don't have a current picture but found this link. http://www.railroad.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=130&t=49570
Please post more...
Thanks,
Pete
Please post more...
Thanks,
Pete
MC JC86
Negative Nancy.
I considered it might be the trestle that runs over what is now 322.. but it was too close of a shot for visual cues, thanks for the comparison shot.