"The photographs that are art have to be separated from the rest - then preserved."
-Robert Maplpethorpe-
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-Robert Maplpethorpe-
(FREE IMAGE)She peered around the frame flap at me...
She looked like she had something to say...
She beckoned me closer...
She dared to step into the light and whisper to me of her homeless condition, her look so hopeful as I promised to take her home with me...
But first she insisted on introducing me to just a few of her friends...
After meeting them, I promised to adopt them too...
As I thumbed through the stack...
My heart broke just a little bit that no one, family or friend, wanted any of the images before me. I did not know any of them but I knew they were mine to love, care for, and appreciate. I adopted them all as my new instant ancestors. I had to, they came as a boxed set, but even if they didn't I could not have left even one behind.This was a purchase I made while flea marketing with my friend Pam on her Birthday celebration day, a box full of instant ancestors. These are some of the most wonderful photos! I think by the looks of them, because there are various poses of the same subject and by the studio markings on the wonderful paper frames, that the majority of these were studio samples that would have been on display showcasing the photographers work. Most are in immaculate condition and the frames alone are worth drooling over with their embossed designs. There are few that are faded or a bit tattered but that endears them to me all the more.
When I put the box on the counter the clerk started thumbing through them, his eyes bugged out, my friend and I could tell that he wanted to protest the sale. The box contained almost 100 photos for $20.00. He kept saying how this was such a good deal and was I sure I wanted them all. Yes, I promised the pretty lady that got my attention that I would take them all home with me. Of course I will be sharing them with you too! Here are a few you might want to save and use in your artwork.
Here is the beauty that beckoned to me. Don't you love that little spit curl on her forehead?
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(FREE IMAGE)I think she is so pretty with her beaded gown and floral corsage.
(FREE IMAGE)Isn't this a dapper guy? He is a little faded but still an interesting character. I could just see him standing on a busy street corner hawking newspapers.
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(FREE IMAGE)This little fellow just makes my heart melt! He reminds me of my precious little grandson.
(FREE IMAGE)This one did have some writing on the back, it simply says "Scoop". Don't you just want to scoop him up?
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(FREE IMAGE)I seriously think my photo family has expanded quite enough for the moment!
Blessings,
Miss Sandy
19 comments:
You've hit on something that I think about more than I probably need to. Those poor old photos of people that nobody thought enough of to keep. I see them in antique stores all the time. I have an ancestor blog with all the histories and photos I can find. As I've told both of my children....if they EVER discard all my pictures of my ancestors, I will come back and viciously haunt them for forever. (I wonder if they're scared. Probably not.) :))
Wow!! What a great find! I'm sure they are all happy to now have a home! :) Thank you so much for the free images. That little boy (the second from the last) has totally captured my heart! :)
A real treasure find. Amazing how these old photographs seem to speak to you. Your thoughts and words about them are lovely. Thank you for sharing.
Sandy, the last one is the most precious! The giggly smile on that little round-cheeked baby is is so infectious! He makes you giggle back at him!
The others are beautiful and I know what you mean that it's kind of sad to see them in flea markets. What makes me sadder is to see when they are cut up and used in some collages that make them look bizarre because these were once real people with feelings and real lives. I always wonder if a relative of them living today might recognize one of the altered ancestors and if it would hurt them? They could easily be someone's grandparent, aunt, uncle...I think images of people are worthy of respect.
It's refreshing to read your words about caring for these reminders of people who once graced our world.
Oh dear Miss Sandy, you KNOW how I feel about these photos and share your sentiments exactly!! ♥♥
Hey, if you ever see one that is stamped Hoffmann, please let me know. I know that our old family photos are out there, because I located that one single envelope addressed to my Great-Uncle on eBay, so there are surely more treasures of the family that were tossed aside by distant family members.
Thankfully I do have quite a nice collection of some of these rarities of my early family. I treasure them and surely hope that my daughter and any future Grandchild will hold onto them, long after I'm gone and treasure them also, so that they don't end up in an antique store. But, it's comforting to know that kind hearted souls like you exist, who recognize the beauty in these priceless works of art. :)
How wonderful -- yes I always think they are telling a story -- one to be unearthed or my captions -- I have adopted many , since i have few of my side of the family -- Lots of HUbs family -most only back to the 40's but so cherished -- Have a blessed day
kathy - ga ♥
Yes, yes and yes...Yes! You did great! and Yes..it's so sad to think these re really someone's relatives and they either didn't know or didn't care..and finally, YES, and thank you! I will save these for future use in my artwork..you are super to share :-)
Sandy, I am with you! Every time I see old, abandoned photos, my heart simply breaks. . . what could have happened to separate people from the precious photos of their grandmothers, grandfathers, aunts, uncles, and friends?
The color photo at the bottom of one of your pics? Of the woman with her hair pulled back? She could be a relative of mine! No kidding! Please email me if you are willing to sell that photo.
Thanks!
Janera
gardenhat (at) hotmail (dot) com
OH my word Sandy ...what at bargin. And beautiful images they are.
And to think you will be sharing your good fortune with us.
I am persoanlly delighted with that prospect.
You are a most kind and caring person to "love" these unknowns.
I too am a collector of instant relatives..so many left behind.
I look for orphaned Victorians however.
Rose
Lovely photos! thanks for sharing!
I 'adopt' lonely people too, I have such a stack now, I really should release some back into the world but I almost feel like they're part of me now...
it's at the point where I have to double check when I use a photocopy cause I use copies of my 'real' relatives too and I'm always confusing the two! lol
I enherited all our 'family memorabilia' when my mom passed away, hopefully my kids will understand how important it is to have your history.
~brenda
Don't you just love old photographs..portraits...I love them, too. Love to look at them and wonder who they might have been. Wonderful finds! So, glad they found a good home with you.
Elizabeth
Thanks for the free images Sandy, you are always generous! Before blogging I would never buy old photographs because I used to thought that it was so unthoughtful to sell photos. Who would like his or her photo to be sold on a market, was my idea back then. But I changed my mind when I started blogging. Like you I think it is adopting them, either as instant ancestors or as people who just tickle the imagination. Now I think that it's far better to be bought my an adoption parent, perhaps to play a major part in an artwork than to lie neglected on a market. Great find!
I see why you fell in love with her and then came all the other faces to care for.
You were the one, the keeper of their smiles, their eyes, and you saw them with your heart. It is alwmost spring, Mary
What a find Sandy!!! I love them all so much and you are an angel for sharing with us!! They truly are adopted family and I'd say your house is filling up sweetie, but if you're like me..."the more, the merrier!" ~ I hope you are having a wonderful week, hugs and love, Dawn
A beautiful "instant family" ... I have always thought forgotten antique photos deserve to bundled together as "Adopt a Family" packages. I have a similar box left over from an antique photo albums. Pictures of people nobody knows, but with such interesting faces, dress, and poses (not to mention, more attractive than many of my real relatives in vintage photos!)
I feel the same way whenever I see the beautiful old photos. Wow, what a wonderful price for all you got! I know they have found a great home.
I'm sure if your 'new ancestors' knew why you took them home with you, they'd be happy they landed in a good, loving place! It seems that many of us have the same feeling about seeing these beautiful old photos- we just can't leave without them!
Miss Sandy,
These are the sweetest of photos. You definitely were meant to have them all. There is nothing like the feeling of having rescued them. I know, I have been "adopting" for a few years now. The best part is introducing your new photos to your previous ones ;)
Maureen
Hi Sandy, What a great find and some of the pictures even came so beautifully framend! I also love to adopt ancestors.
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