California Rooms

As a rule, I wouldn't buy photographs of unoccupied rooms, but I think these two pictures go with an ongoing collection of images that I've tagged SGV family in the labels section at the bottom of the post.  To recap, every so often I go through a tray of old snapshots at a local antique mall.  Constantly replenished, from time to time, I've found photos, all the same format, same weight paper, same era, and the outdoor ones, the same type landscape, and while I can't be sure, probably the same family.

From the first photos I found, it's been clear that there was some prosperity to this family.  Going by these two pictures, I would say that they were in a moneyed way.  Not wealthy.  But well off enough, that comfort wasn't an issue.  Nice furniture, carpets, plenty of bric-a-brac, and electric lights.  Yes, when these pictures were taken, lots of people were still lighting with oil lamps and gas jets.  Of course, there's still an oil lamp too.  After all, in the first decade of the twentieth century, electricity didn't always work.

California Carroll

To recap.  Every so often, I go to an antique mall and thumb through a tray of old photographs.  I've been finding a collection of snapshots, all the same format, paper weight, from the same era, and the ones shot outdoors all seem to be from the same area.  I can't be certain, but I'm pretty sure that they're all from the same family.  So far, I've found several with the same lab mark, "PRINTED BY MERICK REYNOLDS, Jr. 222 So. BROADWAY, LOS ANGELES, CAL."  including this one.  This image is the first I've found with writing on the back.  "Carroll W. Parclier six months old."  Finally a name.

Click on SGV family in the labels section at the bottom of the post to bring up the whole collection.

Old Folks In California

This one is another photo from an ongoing series of pictures I've been finding at an antique mall that may or may not be related.  To see the others I've found, click on SGV family in the labels section at the bottom of the post.

California has always been a state that has attracted lots of newcomers.  Whether it's the ocean, desert, or mountains; cheap farm land or mine claims; a chance to leave the past behind and go to a place where no one cares what happened back east, California has been the great hope and refuge for the restless.  It's true that these four old gentlemen might have been Californians born and bread, but I'm guessing they were all part of the influx into the golden state.  But, if these guys are from the same family that has been showing up at the antique mall, I'm also guessing that it was the younger people in this series that were the true seekers of the California dream, and it was the old folks that got dragged along.

A California Kid

So, here's the story.  Every so often, I visit a favorite antique mall and go through a tray of old photos.  The dealer keeps replenishing it with new images.  I've been finding a series of old prints, the same format, same weight paper, all from the same era.  Some have a printers stamp, "PRINTED BY MERICK REYNOLDS, JR.  222 SO. BROADWAY, LOS ANGELES, CAL."  Most have no markings at all.  So far, I haven't found any that are labeled.  I think it probable that all these photos are from the same family, although I can't be sure.  As I find new images, they go up on the blog.  I'm putting SGV Family in the labels section at the bottom of the post so that anyone interested in seeing the whole lot can pull them up and see them together.  Enjoy.

A California Car

Alright, here's the story.  I buy photographs for the collection from a number of sources.  Just recently, I've been making regular visits to a favorite antique mall.  One of the dealers that I think of as the photo guy, even though he sells a lot of non photographic stuff, has been replenishing a tray of snapshots every week or so.  I keep finding square format photos, printed on the same weight paper, from about the same period, with similar landscapes, which looks to be in the San Gabriel Valley, around Pasadena, California.  That doesn't mean they're all from the same family, but I'd say it's pretty probable.  This latest one looks a bit like Harold Lloyd.  For those not familiar with silent movies....don't be lazy, look him up.  All photos that seem related have a special tag in the labels section.  SGV family.

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.

Walking To School In California

I doubt there were any school buses when this photo was taken.  Just think, if your parents lived too far from the local school house, no education for you!  This one probably goes with the last post.  Navigate back one for details.

California Prosperity

I've just been to a favorite antique mall, checked the photo guy's booth, and found three new snapshots, all the same format, same weight paper, and all from the same period.  I'm about 95% certain that they're all from the same family, so I'm going to publish them one right after another.

This first one is the only one with any information on the print.  Stamped on the back, "PRINTED BY MERICK REYNOLDS CO., 222 SO. BROADWAY, LOS ANGELES, CAL."  I did my due diligence and ran a search for Merick Reynolds, but didn't find much.  A couple of other photos with the same stamp, reference to a Merick Reynolds Gallery that showed California landscape paintings, a book, Famous Southern California Scenes, published in 1902 by Merick Reynolds, Jr.,  a listing for him as a photographic agent, and as a photographer in his own right.

And finally, I think these new three photos are also related to my Eating Watermelon post from April 4.  Don't be lazy, scroll back and have a look.

Eating Watermelon

Just a small piece of advice for photographers everywhere....closer!  This one is another California scene.  At least I think it is.  Maybe from the teens, maybe a bit earlier.