April 24, 2015

Gangster Swagger

By C.E. Ryan

1920s Betty & “Kurlie” in front of tavern. Private Collection.

The note on the back says Aunt Betty / ‘Kurlie’ Buair. 1920’s

“Kurlie” with the cigar and flashy smile under the homburg was dressed to the nines!

CLick for larger picture.

Click for larger picture.

The Free Lunch sign tells us these two were in front of (what used to be) a tavern. Since prohibition started January 16, 1920 this either was taken across the Canadian border or they were in the U.S, the sign is outdated and this is now a speakeasy!

Betty is simply dressed and seems a little nervous and camera shy checking out the street! By contrast “Kurlie” the peacock is all too eager to show off for the camera! Oh, and the spats! I’ll bet a whole American dollar this one was a character.

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April 23, 2015

Teens with style

By C.E. Ryan
Teens with style. RPPC. Private Collection.

Teens with style. RPPC. Private Collection.

The young gentleman to the left is wearing a layered look with a cardigan between the waistcoat and coat. You’d think I’d encounter more images of gents wearing those this way, but I don’t. This photo was part of a lot of gents posing. At first sight they all look similar, but I always find something interesting in the details. His friend to the right looks like he survived the measles.

Enlarged detail.

Enlarged detail.

I accidentally posted this one instead of saving it as a draft. You get an extra post today.

RPPC: AZO 1907-1918

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April 23, 2015

A lovers’ quarrel

By C.E. Ryan
Lovers' Quarrel by Brassai. Paris 1932. Click for larger image.

Lovers’ Quarrel by Brassai. Paris 1932. Click for larger image.

If I had a spare million I’d get this original of Hungarian photographer Gyula Halász, better known as Brassai. The famous Parisian photographer enjoyed catching candids of random people he found at night. This one was taken at “Le Bal Des Quatres Saisons” on Rue de Lappe in Paris, circa 1932.

The young gentleman is none too happy with his wife sitting by his side. He’s got his hands in his pockets, surely of contained frustration. She turned away from him, as if to subtly tell him she’s not backing up or saying she’s sorry.  In the mirror is the reflection of one of their friends facing them.

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April 23, 2015

Late 1860’s working class little brothers

By C.E. Ryan
1860's working class little boys. CDV. Private Collection.

1860’s working class little boys. CDV. Private Collection.

These two seem about the same age but they don’t look like twins, fraternal twins maybe? If you look closely there is a contrast of personality between them. The one to the left looks like he ran everywhere and climbed everything in sight while the other looks more calm and poised. The unbuttoned jacket, the couple of stains on the trousers…the left one looks a bit more shabby than the other one, probably the most terrible of the two whose parents couldn’t keep clean for more than an hour! He has a furrowed brow, probably questioning the photographer’s use of a body stand for him and not his brother!

There’s no expensive furniture on this one, the photographer choosing instead to hang a flowered drape from the ceiling down over a small round table.

Photographer: A. Chapman. Oneonta, N.Y.

2 Comments   |  tags: , , , , , | posted in Boys, CDVs

April 22, 2015

The Blue Kiss

By C.E. Ryan
Blue tinted RPPC. Private Collection.

Cyanotype. A. Noyer romantic postcard. Private Collection.

Sometimes less is more, and in the case of this postcard it is exceedingly true. I find this image incredibly sexy. The way she looks into the distance with her arm resting under the head. And his light kiss on the curve of her jaw.

I find it interesting the picture was shot vertically with the man on top, yet the postcard company decided to publish it horizontally. Well, I choose to post this picture the way it was shot. If Americans could do really sweet and funny postcards, this one proves the French did the sexy with flair. A hundred years later this image still feels timelessly gorgeous and sensual.

Photographer: Alfred Noyer. France.

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