The Danish Dinner 1

 

I swung by a favorite antique store of mine and found a stack of photos of a banquet.  Anyway, the store's owner doesn't like taking credit cards on small purchases, and since I only had a few dollars on me, I only bought four photos.  I'll be back in the area in a few weeks and will have enough money to buy more of the collection.  Since there may be more to come, I've decided to put up the photos one at a time.  And if someone beats me to it, well there will be at least three more pictures after this one.  So why am I starting with this photo of banquet staff rather than something more telling?  This one has a photographer's stamp on the back.  "Lauersens Foto, AErogade 7, Aalborg."  Alborg is a city in Denmark, so that's how I know the photos are from there. By the way, on the stamp, the A and E are run together, and there is a slash through the "o" in AErogade, but my computer doesn't type in Danish. Click on The Danish Dinner Collection in labels.  Eventually there will be more images to see. 

The Trips Collection 11

 

I noted in the previous post that this album is difficult to take apart to scan.  Anyway, the postcard, the bottom image on the page, fell off, and there was writing on the back: "Dear Karen, Jeff & Peter.  How are you doing?  We're having a good time looking at Mayan ruins, then we will go to an island off the coast of Yucatan called Cozumel.  It's a start.  I got a good sunburn in Acapulco.  Take care of yourselves.  I love you, Mom."  The caption: "EL CARACOL-astronomico donde los Mayas le ion los c le los con marvilloso exactitude.  EL CARACOL-Or astronimical observatroy.  CHICHEN ITZA, YUCATAN, MEXICO."  There is a postmark, but it's smeared so I can't read it.  It's addressed to Karen, Jeff & Peter, 3449 Waverly Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA."  Click on The Trips Collection in labels to see other posts in the collection, and don't expect any updates in the near future. 

The Trips Collection 10

 

It's been a while sense I've put up anything from this album. It's a royal pain in the butt to take apart the album, so I hope that explains the gaps in posts.  To recap, unlike most of the photos on The New Found Photography, I didn't buy this album, I literally found it.  So, really found photos.  Click on The Trips Collection in labels for more details.  A cenote is a naturally forming sinkhole caused by the collapsing of underground limestone formations.  There are over 10,000 cenotes in the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico.  

School Days

 

Well, it looks like a school hallway between classes to me.  Very likely from the fifties, when teenagers dressed up to go to school.  I went to high school in the 1970s, and I wore old blue jeans and a ratty T-shirt.  

A Boy and his Bike

 

Written on the back, "On Beuter Rd.  You rode him to school 1937."  I looked up Beuter Road and the only one I could find was in Fort Wayne, Indiana, so I'm going with that.  I'm not very good at guessing ages, but if the guy on the bike was in his teens, it's very likely he served during World War 2.  When I look at these old photos I wonder if they survived. 

Howard's Photos, Altoona

 

The only reason I bought this Cabinet Card is because I grew up an hour's drive or so from Altoona, Pennsylvania.  I'm also fascinated by how photos travel.  I bought it in Los Angeles County, a long, long way from Altoona.  I couldn't find much about Howard's Photos except that it was a successful photo studio in the late 19th and early 20th century.  

Bunches of People

 

I'm trying to figure out what the two photos were mounted on.  I'm thinking something to do with a silent movie star.  It's too bad it was cut down to fit the photos.  Honestly, it looks like it might have been more interesting than the photos themselves.  For those who can't make out the writing, the top image is labeled, "Whity, Marie, Aunt May, Loulla, Allen."  I'm assuming that Whity should be Whitey, and Loulla should be Louella.  The bottom, "Babe, Aunt Mamie, Mom, Aunt Gertie."  On the back, "Allen, Aunt Gurtie, Mom, Aunt Mamie, Babe."  So, is it Gertie or Gurtie?  Written quickly, or poor spelling?  You can also see just how little I spend on my collection. 

Another Life Aboard Ship

 

 I swung by a favorite antique store of mine and found some more life aboard ship photos.  This is the first one that has a passenger.  Anyway, I have no idea what kind of passenger service this was.  I've been buying these photos in the Los Angeles area, so my mind goes right to ferry service to Catalina Island, off the coast of Los Angeles, and Long Beach.  There were also coastal steamers when this picture was taken, running all along the Pacific coast.  San Diego to Vancouver, Canada.  There were also gambling ships just beyond the three-mile limit.  And then there were cruise ships that went to places like Hawaii and the far east.  Click on the Life Aboard Ship Collection in labels to see what else I've already posted.  I've got at least two more photos to go.  

The Most beautiful Bridge on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

 

Allow me a bit of nostalgia.  While I've lived more than half my life in California, I did grow up in Pennsylvania and have driven the PA Turnpike more than a few times.  To be honest, I can't remember this particular bridge, and I have my doubts about it being the most beautiful bridge on the highway, but I know where Bedford is, and I've been along the Little Juniata River.  

So, the caption on the back, "America's Dream Highway links Pittsburgh and Harrisburg.  Middle West and Atlantic Seaboard.  It has 160 overpasses and underpasses and 139 bridges for rivers and streams.  The most beautiful bridge is located in the Bedford Narrows."  Published by "MINSKY BROS, & CO., PUBLISHING DIVISION, PITTSBURGH, PA."  

McConnell, Photographer, Letterkenny

 

Well, that's what is stamped on the back.  Almost certainly Thomas McConnell, a commercial photographer who had a studio on Market Square in 1901.  And that's it.  A few family details, but beyond that, nothing.  Letterkenny is town in County Donegal, Ireland.  Republic of, not Northern.  It's called the Cathedral Town, home of St. Eunan's Cathedral, all on the River Swilly.  What can I say, photographs travel.  I bought this CDV in the Los Angeles area, just like the previous post. 

William Abernethy, Belfast

 

Since my last post was from 2026, I thought I'd go back to the 19th century, just for a bit of contrast.  The Abernethy credited as the photographer on the carte de visite, is almost certainly William Abernethy, born in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1864, died 1930.  He opened his first studio in 1886 at the age of 22.   He was very successful and eventually employed a large staff and opened a number of branch studios in the area.  In an advertisement from 1895 he claimed that his studios photographed 18,000 portraits in the previous year.  And lest we forget, that's some wild head of hair.  

The Trio

 

Another true found photograph.  I had to walk to the store this morning, and there it was, in the middle of the sidewalk.  It looks like it's been stepped on a few times.  I'm beginning to think that my fascination with other people's snapshots is entering crazy town.  Oh well, at least I'm not doing any harm to others. 

A Man and His Car

 

Mom, dad, three kids and creepy Uncle Bob in the background.  I have a soft spot for photos like this.  My father was born in 1919, lived through the Great Depression, and served in World War 2.  He was very proud of his cars and always kept them clean and polished. 

Old Cars, Somewhat Out of Focus

 

It looks like some sort of gathering.  Anyway, I have no idea what kind of cars these are, and the picture is too out of focus to do a good match.  I did the first thing I could think of and went online and looked up the Ford Model T.  After all, it was the best-selling car from the era.  I found an ad for Ford cars from 1923, and it could be a match.  

Two Up

 

I just picked this photo up today, and I figured I'd better get it posted as soon as possible.  It's small, really small.  1.25 x 2 inches, and I need to get it into the storage box before I lose it.  Anyway, I don't know what to make of it.  Clearly, it's from before the age of the photo booth.  It could be a contact or reduction print.  I'm not aware of any film this small manufactured in the 19th or very early 20th century. 

Granite Dells

  

 Just because it's so damn hot.  There's a Granite Dells sign in the background.  The Dells is an area near Prescott, Arizona, and yes, it does snow there.  There was a Granite Dells Resort, so it's possible that's what the sign is for.  I could go for a bit of snow, right about now. 

Another Piece of History

 

An attractive young lady standing next to a statue of, I assume, Casimir Pulaski.  Pulaski was a Polish patriot who came to the colonies, joined the revolution and is regarded as the father of the American Calvary.  He was born in 1745 and died, in battle, in 1779.  I looked for photos of memorials to Pulaski, but couldn't find a match. 

July 4th., a Piece of History

 

Platoon 35.  On July 6, 1948, Harry Truman signed Executive Order 9981, integrating the United States Armed Forces.   This photo is dated July 1, 1950, so it's one of the first integrated Marine Corps training classes from Parris Island, in South Carolina.  Unless I missed someone, I counted five black troops in the class.  Anyway, a fair amount of info on the front of the photo.  M.C.R.D. stands for Marine Corps Recruiting Depot.  Just for the hell of it, I did a search for the three sergeants named, H.A. Eravi, H.E. Moore, and P.H. Myers.  Nothing came up.  There is an Ashley Moog, professional photographer located in Beaufort, South Carolina.  A daughter or a granddaughter of the Moog credited as the photographer on the front of the print.  Possible, perhaps even probable, but not guaranteed.  

Some More Life Aboard Ship

 

I've been making occasional trips to an antique mall in L.A., and every time I go there, I find another picture or two of shipboard life.  Anyway, it's become clear that they are all from the same source, and since I have no idea how many more, I'll find, I've gone back to the other two posts I've put up and added "life aboard ship collection" in labels so those who are interested can see everything already posted.  Anyway, I'm still thinking ocean liner.  The Matson Line sailed from the California coast to Hawaii, and, of course, there were ships sailing to the far east as well as the far shorter trip to Catalina Island, just off the coast of Southern California.  

The Trips Album 9

 

The other side of the previous post.  The top photo is a postcard.  As usual, when posting an album page, I show the whole page to show position, then the other photos individually.   Click on The Trips Collection in labels to see the rest of the album. and fair warning, it will be a while before everything gets put up. 

The Trips Album 8

 

It's been a long time since I've posted anything from this photo album.  The fact is, it's a real pain in the behind to disassemble the pages, scan, and then replace the page in the album.  Call it laziness if you want.  Anyway, this album is another example of true found photography.  I was walking down the street, there were a bunch of garbage bags on the sidewalk, and this album was sticking out the top of one of the bags, and since it wasn't covered in some sort of nasty crap I wouldn't want to touch, it came home with me.    

Chitzen Itza was a large pre-Columbian city built by the Mayans.  It's located on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico.  Chitzen Itza is translated as at the mouth of the well of Itza.  The Itza were an ethnic-lineage group that once was politically dominate in the Yucatan. 

Click on The Trips Collection in labels to see what else is up.  Fair warning, it will be while before the entire album gets posted.  

The Wisdom of the Crowd

 

 I'm not sure how wise this crowd of what looks to be teenagers were, but at least it's a crowd.  

A Fascinating Face

 

A fascinating face, indeed.  There's something a bit masculine in her visage.  The chin and brow line seem more male to me than female.  I know I'm probably wrong, but I think there is a slight chance that this woman is actually a man.  I spent decades working in photo labs and one of the things that I learned is that if people can think, they'll do it and take pictures, and a lot of men think about wearing women's clothes. But what about when this picture was taken.  I started my lab career after the invention of the Polaroid camera and worked into the digital age granting a certain amount of anonymity to those men wanted to wear a dress.  Did professional studio photographers of the nineteenth century have special times to take photos of special customers?  Probably. 

Caden Clark

 

Once again, I haven't started collecting sports cards.  Once again, I am the type of person who picks up stuff off of the street.  And once again, something I found.  Quite a while ago, actually, but I knew the World Cup was coming to North America, and Los Angeles, my hometown, so I've been saving it for an appropriate time. Truthfully, I'm not much of a soccer fan. It's one of those sports that I can take or leave.  If a game is on TV, and I've nothing better to do, I may watch, but it's not something I'll make the time for.  Having said that, if a free World Cup ticket fell into my lap, I'd go. After all, the World Cup is an event that goes beyond the sport itself.   Anyway, I looked it up.  Caden Clark is not on the United States World Cup team, but he's only 23 years old, so maybe next time. 

Badminton

 

Badminton was one of those things that were part of small town and suburban 50s and 60s America.  People had money, and leisure time so why not a backyard net and a game or two before dinner.  Note the woman in the background is playing in a skirt.  Not a tennis skirt, just an ordinary, everyday wear skirt. 

A Good-Looking Young Lady

  

Good-looking in a 1950s, pre-glam era.  Save us all from Mar-a-Lago face. 

Petri Skriko

 

Once again, I haven't started collecting sports cards.  Collecting is an addiction, less expensive and healthier than heroin, but it can take over your life, so no sports cards.  I am, however, the type of person who picks up things off of the street, and when I saw this hockey card, I decided to save it for the Stanley Cup finals.  Anyway, there are two types of sports fans.  Those who stay loyal to the teams they grew up with, and those who don't.  I've lived in Los Angles more than half of my life, but I still root for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Steelers, and Penguins.  The Penguins didn't get into the finals, so the best I'm hoping for are good games.  Halfway through the first period, Carolina 2, Vegas 0.  

So, in honor of the Cup, Petri Skriko, born in Finland, drafted by the Vancouver Canucks and played for them from 1984 to 1990.  In 1990 he was traded to the Boston Bruins, and then to the Winnipeg Jets, and finally his NHL career ended in San Jose, playing for the Sharks in 1993.  He also played professionally in Finland, and Denmark, as well as for the Finnish national team.  He is tenth all time in goals scored for the Canucks.  A good career, but not hall of fame. 

Soldiers and Sailors

  

The man in front is in his army uniform, and the man on the right is all navy.  At least that's what the bit of his collar, the only bit of clothing that can be seen, looks like. How about the man just behind the woman with the fur stole?  An all-military reunion?  Almost certainly from World War 2. 

T.C.W. CO.

  

What is the T.C. W. Co.?  It's in the lower left corner, so maybe this isn't a school class photo.  It probably is.  All the children look like they are around the same age, and they are in the classic class photo setup.  Also, 2908, which is also visible in the lower left corner.  Is that a date?  August 1929?  The clothing and hair look right for that era.   

A Vacation in Hamburg 12

 

Well, I haven't been posting anything for a while, and my only excuse is sheer laziness.  I just haven't felt like it.  So, now that I'm back, I thought it was time to put up the final five photographs from the Hamburg Vacation Collection.  (Go to labels and click on that to see the lot.  There's no rhyme or reason to the order, so start anywhere.)  To recap, if I were to give an honest name to this blog, it would be The Newly Purchased Photography.  Almost all of the photos I put up have been bought in antique stores, thrift stores, or online.  Once in a while, however, I actually do find old photos, and this collection is an example of that.  I was walking along the street, and there it was.  Color snapshots taken in Hamburg, Germany blowing around, and envelopes of old negatives.  I thought about digging out the light box and matching up the prints to the negs, but I was worried that, on my limited income, I'd end up spending money on having prints made from any negatives that I couldn't match to a photo, so I didn't.