I’ve mentioned a time or five in the not-too-distant past (here, here, here, here, and here) that I started collecting found photographs.
My fascination began when I started searching online for vintage images that befitted the quotes I wanted to share with you. Soon I was searching for them in antique shops, and I bought a few.
My collection has slowly grown over time, and I thought I’d share a few with you especially after I read about other people who collect strangers’ memories, and I realized that you might find them interesting to see as well.
I totally understand how other collector’s feel about the discarded photographs they treasure. For me, they prompt more questions than provide answers. I definitely wonder who these people were and the story behind the images.
“Let’s go to town. The baby will be fine!” was the first thing I thought when I saw this photo. Is it me, or does it look like the adults are about to drive off, leaving the baby in the yard? I’m sure (or at least I hope) that this didn’t really happen. But it does make you wonder.
This photograph reminded me of my grandparents: very proud, hard-working folks who were incredibly (and justifiably proud) of their accomplishments. I loved it even more when I saw what was written on the back: “40 years in business”. I don’t care what kind of business you’re in — being self-employed takes fortitude and patience and a whole lot of hard work!
Were they trying to capture the snow or the dog experiencing snow for maybe the first time? Of course, I don’t know for sure what prompted the photographer to shoot this particular image, but I love dogs and love thinking that they loved their dog so much that they grabbed their camera. If the dog wasn’t in it, it’s possible I wouldn’t have loved this photograph quite so much, but I must admit that the image is improved by showing a wire loop fence (a favorite of mine) and a snow-capped carriage house.
I’ve always thought that teaching is a noble profession and, in many ways, a solitary one, too. (There are a lot of hours spent alone getting ready for class, grading papers, etc.) This image captures both emotions perfectly, I think. I love the tall ceilings, wide chalkboard and old desks as well.
This looks to have been a special day. The mother (or grandmother) are all dressed up and walking hand-in-hand down a road. It’s just a loving, precious, symbolic photograph.
I like photos that have a humorous element. When I first saw this one, the sign on the left cracked me up. I cannot explain why. But the longer I look at it, it also makes me a little sad, too. I think of the poor monkeys who had hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people stare at them as if they are objects rather than feeling creatures.
Were they heading home after their honeymoon? Or after his return from the war? Did he build the house for her? (A cute cottage, by the way. It reminds me a lot of Tumbleweed’s tiny house designs.) These and many other questions made me fall in love with this photo. The blurriness of the photograph adds to the “times gone by” effect.
I think this is an odd but sweet photo. Why did they photograph her with a dresser on a porch? Did she just receive it for her birthday, perhaps? She sure seems proud of it.
Another sweet photo that I love. He’s showing great kindness by feeding the tiny fawn and you can see (at least I can) that he’s smiling at her. Also note how gentle he is — his right hand is barely touching her.
I love going to the movies so this one spoke to me. It’s a perfect glimpse of history, both in terms of the Spencer Tracy movie being shown and the automobiles parked out front.
I struggle to put into words why I love this photograph of a devoted, hard-working man on his boat. Perhaps you can help me with that. I do love the noir lighting.
Barton Springs is one of the many historic landmarks in Austin, and as a former resident, I grabbed this one up. It helps me to remember the icy cold water there.
This is not a photograph I normally would have liked that much. I tend to like “caught in the moment” snapshots more than “posed” photographs. But then I saw the words written on the back:
Save
Oh, I love every photo you shared! I too can get so caught up in the possible story within the picture! And yes, my memories of Barton Springs is of the icy cold water on a hot, hot Texas day…
I swear that found photos can make me laugh or want to cry, depending on the subject or the lighting. So glad you enjoyed them! I’ll be sharing more soon, including the ones that I will be selling on Etsy.
Thank you for sharing these old photos. I loved them!!! Makes me want to start a collection!
I encourage you to start collecting, Marilyn. It’s a really inexpensive collection (comparatively speaking) and it’s great fun.
Thank you for sharing these! I really enjoyed them! I love the fact that you included what was on the back of some! I hope you will share more. Happy new year!
Blessings
I definitely will be sharing more in the coming weeks and months. I’m touched that you enjoyed them.
These are all so great. It saddens me when I see boxes of old photos, especially at auctions. My sister and I often make dialogs for the subjects.
As for yours, my first thought on the baby was desertion by a family who could not feed the baby (!)
The old wire loop fence immediately conjured up an image of my next door neighbor’s yard when I was growing up.
The proud woman with the dresser made me think she was a bride with a trousseau. My mother married in 1940 and her dress looked almost exactly like that (it appears a faint headpiece, too, no?)
Great collection, and start of your new year.
The young woman with the dresser reminds me a bit of Laura Ingalls Wilder (I can’t remember the name of the actress!) in Little House on the Prairie. “Laura” wouldn’t have been dressed that way, but she probably would have appreciated a nice new dresser. Yes, we make up the stories about the photos where we have no attachment otherwise. I guess it’s our need to connect. Thank you for all the wisdom you have shared and the photos. Best wishes to you in the new year. Fonda
On the one picture you stated you normally would not buy, I was left with the feeling “what sort of sad life did she live and why was she being left behind”… I don’t know this woman but by looking at her picture and then reading her message, I couldn’t help but feel a heavy heart.
Yes, that’s exactly why I like it, especially after seeing the note on the back.
As a photographer I also love the old photos. The ones you show here are wonderful. I have a few, but haven’t collected many that are not my own vintage family photos. Some of the ones I inherited from my mother of older generations are my most valued, but it is fascinating to look at those of people whose identity is a mystery. And the sort of patina those photos have is so attractive to me. Thanks so much for sharing your vintage photos. I loved looking at them and reading your ideas about them.
They all have such soul, don’t they. I like snapshots in particular rather than studio prints for that reason alone.
I loved these old photos, and was haunted as you were by the last one of the girl. I sent your blog to a friend who also loves old photos and she looked up her name. The story is rather sad, and thought you might want to read it…Looks like she met an American, then Pearl Harbor was bombed, and he never saw her again….Sad! Love your blog, and keep up the excellent work…I love everything vintage as well! Click on the following link to read the story …..http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-pearl-harbor-anniversary-20161207-story.html
Loved seeing all these old photos! Hmmm was wondering if the last women was forgotten… will have to read the story from Leigh. I have a small collection of old wedding photos (very small) from the 1920s. I haven’t collected any in a while so your post prompted me to get out there and look for more. I like wedding photos because it reminds me of new beginnings.