Airplanes at Christmas

This one has a processor's date, "JAN-58."  Clearly, it was taken Christmas morning, 1957. 

Depression on the Beach

I've made this point before, and with this album page, I'm able to make it again.  While the Great Depression was devastating to the lives of many, others survived, and even thrived during the era.  It looks like these two kids were never hungry or homeless.  My father, born in 1919, was both.

For those who can't make out the writing: Above the kid with the toy airplane, "July 1930."  Below the beach photo, "August 1930  3yrs 10 mos."

Christmas 1959

Dated "December 25, 1959."

The Doll

I completely baffled by this one.  Who would give their kid such a creepy doll?  I can imagine some little girl opening this up on Christmas morning, and then, running, crying from the room.  And the nightmares it would induce,  it borders on child abuse.

Toys

This kid has a tricycle, a scooter, a toy wagon, toy skis, and, on the third step down, a toy six shooter.  When I was growing up, I was told that children who had lots of toys were spoiled and would grow up to be no good.  It's been my observation in life that kids who were indulged grew up to be, if nothing else, successful.  Love the photographer's shadow.

The Bizarro Family

I'm sorry, but there's something a bit off about this family.  Look at the top photo; the lady holding the teddy bear in an iron grip, the child strangling the cat.  Just a bizarre, American Gothic assemblage.  

Donald's Party

Written on the back, "Donalds 3 yr old Party 3573 so Van Ness Ave. 10-11-54"  I know where that's at. More or less.  It would be interesting to head down there some day and compare the picture with what I find.  I think Donald must be the kid, just visible, next to mom.  Who knows, I might even find Donald.

Playing In California

This one has  a wealth of detail.  The car, the new homes, the photographer's shadow, the the two kids sitting in the wagon.  I'm not sure what prized possession the boy is holding, but the little girl has her doll and it's bed on the ground.  Of course, it also looks like she's about to stomp on her toys.  And finally, the mountains in the background.  The San Gabriels.  I know that notch in the ridge line, so depending on the angle, somewhere in the western end of the San Gabriel Valley, with Pasadena a strong possibility.  Anyway, as noted before, I'm about 95% certain that the photos from the last few posts are all from the same family, so I've gone back and added a new tag in the labels section.  Click on SGV family and they'll all come up.  With luck, I'll find some more photos from this collection  next time I go back to the antique mall, and if I do, I'll reserve the SGV family tag  for them.

Little Red Wagon

The truth is, I'm more interested in the wagon than I am in the kid. Nevertheless, he (or she) holds some fascination. His (or her) bow tie, and that awful haircut isn't the look of a modern day child.

New Toys

Same publisher as yesterday's post but not so sad and pathetic. Close, but not quite. I'll give this image one bit of praise, I was born about fifity or so years after this photo was taken, (I'm guessing it was taken about 1900 to 1910 going by yesterday's image), and when I was a kid, I would have loved to play with the toy streetcar.

Doug and Bill Out of Focus-The Baker Family 3

Even though Doug and Bill are out of focus, the wagon they're playing with is still quite a sight to see. I'm glad I don't collect old toys, as this photo would send me off in search of old wagons. I can't afford storage anymore, and I'm running out of room.

The Rocking Horse Chair

I know that I've written that I'm not all that interested in pictures of children, and that hasn't changed. Like the Betty Jane Easterly post (9-10-10) I'm fascinated by the kid's toy as well as the contrast with the Easterly picture. Betty Jane had an expensive looking, factory built toy car. This child has what looks like a hand made rocking chair made to look like a horse. Click on the image to blow it up and the rough cut texture of the foot board can be more clearly seen. And the painted horse imagery, very folk art.

Betty Jane Easterly

Written on the back, "Betty Jane Easterly." Stamped, "B29." I know that I've written that children are the photo subjects that interest me the least, but the toy car made this one different. Based on the car's style, maybe the late twenties or early thirties. Those square front radiators started to disappear in the thirties. Anyway, the toy cor looks expensive, the house is nice looking, and the bit of the neighbors home that can be seen in the background indicates that these homes were built on fairly large lots. Does that mean that Betty Jane came from a well to do family, or just an indulgent one?