Category Archives: Types of Photographs

June 23, 2015

1912 15 years old Raymond and a good luck charm later tarnished by Hitler

By C.E. Ryan
Detail of RPPC

Detail of RPPC. Private Collection.

I thought him older but the note on the back of this RPPC reveals he was 15 and a half at the time the picture was taken. Must be the classic menswear and the serious expression.

He’s wearing a coat that still would be stylish today. On his head a russian style fur hat and yes, this is a swastika tie pin on him. I like pictures that prompt me to do research.  This pre-dates by two decades Hitler’s defamation of the symbol. The swastika bears so many meanings and was used in surprising ways.

Looking at the style of house behind him the boy was American, and this is not common knowledge, but apart from being an ancient Hindu symbol of good luck, the swastika has U.S. roots too.

The Navajo tribe used it (how they came about to using it would be interesting to find out too), and the 45th American National Guard infantry unit adopted the symbol in the 1910s as a tribute to Native Americans. That’s right, they wore a swastika as their patch, at least until Hitler unfortunately adopted it in the 30s. They then replaced it with a Thunderbird. Also, aviators used to pin it on as a lucky charm.

Why Raymond wore it? For the same reason mentioned: a good luck charm.

Raymond in the snow. RPPC. Private collection.

Raymond in the snow. RPPC. Private collection.

With a sweet note to his grandma

To his grandmother -aw.

Raymond may look all grown up on this picture, but when you still count your age in half years…!

RPPC: AZO 1904-1918

6 Comments   |  tags: , , , , , | posted in RPPCs, Teens

June 23, 2015

Photobooth in a white hat

By C.E. Ryan
Photobooth picture of man in white hat.

Photobooth picture of man in white hat. Private Collection.

A cute Photobooth snapshot of a bright eyed guy (with that twinkle again lol) leaning forward and smiling under his heavily tilted white hat. I think this picture was taken in the 40s or 50s just because of his open shirt.

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , , | posted in Gentlemen, Photobooths

June 23, 2015

1900s Gents Furnishing & Misfit Parlor

By C.E. Ryan
Gents Furnishing storefront. RPPC. Private Collection.

Gents Furnishing & Misfit Parlor storefront. RPPC. Private Collection.

I love this very quaint and informative picture. And there is another employee looking out from behind the shop’s door; too shy to get in the picture? This looks like it may have been a family business. Most caps in this shop were .39c. Some suits are priced at $4, some cheaper. At the time the median daily wages for average skilled workers was between $1.50 and 3 dollars a day, so it gives you an idea of how expensive clothes were. There were no cheaper options like we have today. After rent, clothes took the largest chunk out of people’s earnings, with food (and tobacco and drinks *cough*).

This shop sold menswear but also cleaned and pressed. I find it humorous they called it the Misfit Parlor. The younger gent to the left with a dog at his feet (probably theirs) is looking a bit bored.

Detail.

Detail.

Another storefront group RPPC in this collection, this time of tailors.

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , , , , | posted in Groups, RPPCs

June 22, 2015

My grandfather Octave posing with his bicycle circa 1945

By C.E. Ryan
My grandfather. Family photo.

My grandfather. Family photo.

Once in a while I do love to post family photos. I think this one is precious, but then this is because my grandfather was the sweetest person and he loved me dearly. I miss him so very much. He was a soldier, a volunteer fireman, and an excellent craftsman. His hobby was making straw baskets and he made *many*. He taught me how too, when I was around 8!

He also had orchards and made his own cider. And drank much of it. lol

15 Comments   |  tags: , , , | posted in Gentlemen, Others

June 22, 2015

Dapper David Strader and the Merry Widow hats

By C.E. Ryan
Cabinet card. Private Collection.

Zuli, David and a lady friend. Cabinet card. Private Collection.

My 200th post!

Zuli is one gorgeous lady. David is in a bowler and high collar with dark gloves, but the ladies…look at the ornate big ‘Merry Widow’ hats! There’s a whole cake on top of Zuli’s head! What a cute and uncommon name too. The ladies in these pictures are always the stars, but I love group pictures of handsome gents with their pretty women. ;)

David’s last name was Strader, Miss Zuli’s last name was Frop. The name of the second woman in glasses is illegible. I think she looks like she was related to David -maybe his sister. There’s a number too: 5-10. May 1910?

Summertime75 posted a funny article from 1908 on the ‘Merry Widow Hat’ trend that swept the nation. It’s worth reading for a good laugh. People of the day found those large hats rather ridiculous! This was an upper society trend. Those hats were quite expensive and a status item.

Another funny N.Y Times article dated June 14, 1908 describes a stampede when at the end of the Broadway show (which inspired the trend) 1,200 souvenir hats were supposed to be handed to 1,300 awaiting women.

Photographer: Emery’s. 162 Main Street. Blank back.

5 Comments   |  tags: , , , , , , , , | posted in Cabinet Cards, Groups