Big Hat Collection 2

There is actually some useful information written on the back of this one.  "Taken Fri. Apr. 21-1911, Fannie M. Baker age 36, Elliott F. Baker age 20, Guthrie, Ok. For Maye Baker"  Oklahoma became a state in 1907 so the photo used to make this real photo postcard was made just a few years after statehood.  I couldn't find any information on these two which isn't to surprising.  I have to wonder, mother and son?  Step mother?  Siblings?

Click on Big Hats Collection in labels to see more.

Oklahoma Is OK

For someone who lives in Los Angeles and works in the film industry, albeit at a very low level, I have almost no pictures of celebrities.  So, from Hollywood via Oklahoma, "Maverick James Garner Cherokee Strip Parade Sept. 17, 1960." 

So, no need to write a lot about Garner.  I'm assuming most people know that he was a successful actor in both the movies and television.  He was in some of my favorite films, The Great Escape, Duel at Diablo, Victor Victoria, and one of my all time favorites, The Americanization of Emily.  Emily and Victor Victoria also stared another favorite, Julie Andrews.  Garner was born in Norman, Oklahoma, which explains why he was at the Cherokee Strip Parade at Enid. 

Tulsa Train

Stamped on the back "JUN 30 '40" and " A XENIX PRINT BY ROCHESTER PHOTO SUPPLY CO. TULSA."  

In April of 1990, Knox Photography of Tulsa Oklahoma closed it's doors.  In 1930, Howard Knox's father started Rochester Photo Supply, a big gamble during the great depression, especially in Oklahoma a state that was also hit hard by ongoing droughts,  the dust bow, and the collapse of the area's agricultural base.  Howard's father sold the business in 1965.  Two years latter  Howard opened a camera business of his own, Knox Photography.  Howard sold that camera store in 1984 to George Karvis.

In my lifetime, I've seen a lot of camera stores come and go.  I hate to see them die off.