That look on his face on the far left…
Category: Pics
September 9th, 1936
Rare is the time that an antique mall image has a date on the back, like this one of these two stylish ladies did. In addition, it was also printed with “Alton E Bowers Photo Service.” A little world wide web research shows that Mr. Bowers opened his first photo studio 101 years ago in Reading, Pennsylvania. He retired 40 years later in 1956. When Vince Bellman took over the business at Bowers’ retirement, he modernized the printing process and expanded.
Per www.readingeagle.com,
Alton grew his business by picking up film orders to develop from drugstores and process in his studio. He served as a military photographer in World War I and would join Orville Wright in a crude biplane to snap photos high above Reading.
Lori [Bellman’s daughter] said that when Alton Bowers began his photography business 100 years ago, he had an amateur finishing service, which was not something that was readily available. Most of his business was portraiture and quick photofinishing.
Because of the weight and bulk of the camera equipment, portraits came from the studio, Lori said. She explained that the development of the compact and lightweight Brownie camera changed people’s ability to get photo prints, “and everything started being amateur and home-accessible.”
In 1977, Alton E Bowers Photography Studio was the first in the country to open a one hour photo lab. Who knew this one picture would lead to such historical information?
I Can’t Wait To Die So I Can Haunt This House
Victorian era peeps rarely looked happy to be alive. Maybe it was the ten minutes each morning spent lacing up boots or corsets or angling their hats just so. Maybe it was the frustration of pier and beam homes on those windy cold winter’s nights, wishing they had concrete foundations. The only information written on the picture was that Agnes is the girl on the left, and Lois is the girl on the right. Lois is the only one who seems to be enjoying the day, possibly because swings. No swings = stern.
She Loves Me Like A Rock
How’s this for the mother and child reunion? What joy radiates from both of their faces. You can see why I couldn’t pass this snapshot up.
With Mother’s Day coming up, I thought I’d share a few pics of mothers and their children. She looks tickled to death that her son was granted a furlough to visit her.
This next mom lacks the enthusiasm of the others, but perhaps the corset has got her muscles too tightened to smile.
And lastly, we have a much more recent pic that looks to be from the 60s. If you ask me, it looks like Shirley Temple Black and a Kewpie doll.
Am I right or Amarillo?
Spread Your Wings And Stay Put
Pictures like this keep my blog title accurate. I don’t get this at all. Southern Methodist University students dressed to the nines behind a wide-winged pelican (statue, I presume). Campus isn’t near the beach; it’s in Dallas, and the mascot is a mustang. What does it all mean?
Deeper into the yearbook, bobbed flapper hair was all the rage.
Ain’t she a catch?
The inner yearbook cover offered this interesting map, with lines radiating from the university campus. Note the lyrics to “She’ll be coming ’round the mountain when she comes,” the first printed version of which had only just appeared in Carl Sandburg‘s The American Songbag five years prior.
Another I Don’t Get It moment.
That Looks Easy Enough
Torch Ginger
At Honolulu airport, a young woman packs the heads of torch ginger in cellophane preservers. The article stated that “its stalk grows 3-6 ft high,” sometimes towering over those handling them.
How Low Can You Go?
relaxing on beach towels
sitting in itchy grass
low to the asphalt
I can be certain that the last picture was taken in Austin, as evidenced by the highway signs. Looks to be the dirty, gritty 70s.
When Young Thomas Rocked His Knickerbockers
Take a gander at young Tom’s confidence, even at 14! So petite but so sure of his fashion choices.
Sporting knickerbockers was on point in the 20s and 30s, as you can see in this image of Walt Disney and a pint-sized star.
Women began to don them as well, however controversial. Think of them as cropped bloomers that allowed freedom of movement while in no way being thigh-flattering.
Knickerbockers found popularity in many sports, particularly golf, baseball, fencing, bicycling, and yes–the curious sport of curling. Check out these 1924 curlers!
Their calves must be frigid, bless their hearts. Looks like they’re sweeping up Rumbas off the ice.
When Your ‘Do Is Done
I applaud the effort that was put into the hair, outfits, and accessories here. Nowadays, people wear pajamas in public, thong sandals outside the beach, and don’t bother to hide their bra straps. Enough with the laziness! Pull yourself together.
Fun & Games
Green Lake, 1949
That’s all the back of this picture said. I can assume it’s not the Green Lake in Texas. Probably Wisconsin or Michigan, where folks wear more plaid and more layers. I doubt it’s a family reunion, with no children or young people. Perhaps just a gathering of friends? It looks casual, but the grand dame on the far left could just have easily have fit into an image at the turn of the century.
Isn’t it funny how different people experience the same moment? The woman dead center in the foreground isn’t even making eye contact with the photographer at all. The ladies on the far right are full of pep and horsing around, while Debbie Downer beside the tree appears to have just lost her favorite pet.
Actually, the two grumpiest folks are the ones without glasses!
I Don't Get It 