Black Face & how it used to be acceptable

After my mother died, I was cleaning out loads of her things, of course, and I ran across her old Woman's club book from when she was a president. The era: 1950s. She kept a scrapbook and throughout the book were several photos of women dressed up in Black face for programs that they did.

I gave the scrapbook to the ladies of the woman's club today, and some were shocked that this was in their history.. I teased them threatening to show them to the local newspaper!! (i was kidding!!)
Yet, as I go thru stacks of other peoples estates..you would be surprised how much I have run into this..not just the 1920s..but all the way to the 50s...

This photo was from another estate..a show that a group was doing..much like my moms womans club..I think it is 40s/50s era...and when i look at these..i am sad that this was our past...but happy that this is no longer our present..i know we have a long way to go...but we have come a long way...

cathi

Post Mortem Photos

I know this is a strange topic...but when i found this photo, I found it something that I thought i would bring up.

I buy out old estates of people's personal things, so every now and then I run into these photos.
The ones of the children..to me ..are so sad..this one, although sad, is a bit different.

At first, when I was scanning this, I didn't realize it was Post -Mortem, I just thought it was an old woman that might have been blind. That was until I saw her hands. And I remembered being at funerals and seeing hands like this. So I was immediately taken back, until I looked at the items all around her. The hymnal in her hand (there is no piano there, why is this a Hymnal?)
The china, all different kinds, and stereoscope near her..even the peaceful way she was sitting..this was a loved woman..a woman who was loved by those around her..who cared enough to surround her with the things she loved.

It was a few weeks ago, I ran across the show Chasing Mummies, that is the History channel show all about a famed Archeologist that is finding mummies..
And what happened on the episode i saw, was that the mummy was surrounded by the pets, pottery, utensils..all things that the former person loved and would use in the after life.

I suppose we all grieve in different ways...

The most important thing is how we lived...and for this photo..what I read into it..is this was a woman that was loved..

meaning she learned enough in life to have others love her.

In the song "Nature Boy"
that was sung by Nat King Cole refers to this:

Take a listen:
These are the Lyrics:

There was a boy
A very strange enchanted boy
They say he wandered very far, very far
Over land and sea
A little shy
And sad of eye
But very wise
Was he

And then one day
A magic day he passed my way
And while we spoke of many things, fools and kings
This he said to me

"The greatest thing
You'll ever learn
Is just to love
And be loved
In return"



have a great week,
Cathi

Do you ever feel like everyone is looking at you?

I love this photo...I felt like this yesterday...i had a fashion meltdown...
my hubby had all these things for us to do..we had a big event for his business and a party afterwords..and no matter what i just didn't feel like i had the right outfit....

when i saw this photo..i loved it...exactly how one feels sometimes..that the whole room is looking at you..

of course they usually aren't...but it just is that way sometimes..

anyhow..in the old photo world..i find many funny fashions..and definately ones that would cause me a fashion meltdown! i mean those tiny little waist dresses..ugh..those are really tough..
um...this would be ME in those fashions..(not really..but I sure would feel like this!)

ah well..thought i would share these photos with you................cuz sometimes..you do just feel like the room is looking at you
smile

cathi

Christmas in September?

How annoying is this?
I am posting a Christmas photo!!

But I am posting it BECAUSE NOW is the time to begin to plan to make things..or start to buy things for the holidays..

Why?
Because if you do..you will save money!!

It is a proven fact...that the more you plan...and buy things in advance you will SAVE MONEY

soo..i am reminding you..(and myself!!)
so that you can begin to look for all those treasures that make a gift a GREAT gift!

Also..
I learned on an eBay powerseller post that if you buy thru some of these rebate companies..you can get a rebate..yep..money back to YOU if you buy thru their website.
what is the catch?
well..they are advertisers...and everyone today wants more business..so they drive people to the website, you buy thru their portal..and voila..you get a check every month in the mail..
and it is totally TRUE
i havent had spam or anything from it..

if you are interested there are alot of sights.
but the one I work with is Big Crumbs so if you are interested in checking this out...
( and i mean there are some deals here) go to BIG CRUMBS
it is FREE to sign up..

anyhow...
HAPPY SEPTEMBER...

cathi

Is this John Wilkes Booth?

So I found a large group of tintypes in a book..to me they are always fascinating - a much more primitive photo- but there are some really fun images in them..

and in the back of the book was this lone tintype..not in as good of condition..and the face looked so familiar..

so what do you think?
Watch my auction on eBay on this one(just click on the tintype) and lets see what others think!

the top image IS John Wilkes Booth, the bottom is the tintype i have..
dont you love being a history detective???

Cathi

The wonderful last month of a glorious Summer...

Ah Summer...
that wonderful time of year...when life feels free...

the flowers have bloomed..
and sometimes the grass has turned a bit brown...

the beaches are full...
there are block parties, cookouts...ahhh....it is August..
That last glorious month of summer..

Enjoy those special moments...fall is marching right around the corner...

cathi

Eastman's Solio Print out paper photographs

I do apologize for being so late on updating my blog..but oh my...it has been SUMMER and the sun is shining..the flowers are blooming and it is HARD to work!!

anyhow..the other day, I came across this wonderful BIG box of stuff from an estate.
It was full of all sorts of unique photos, cabinets and so on..

But then i found..the most interesting thing...
a packet of Solio paper photographs from Eastman.

Well, of course that is the Eastman of Eastman Kodak, and the era is early 1900s.

But what is really GREAT about these photos is this.
Solio paper is a print out paper..meaning the sun develops them... a neat process but not so good to keep these kinds of images for long periods of time..as there would be lots of fading

And through the years..there have been alot of photographs that have been lost to fading..

But this package was all kept together, in an envelope..for i dont know how long....meaning that the images were crisp and fresh and not as faded as you would expect for 100 years. especially on SOLIO paper.

Rare indeed, So I listed them this week on ebay and these are a few of my favorites..
and it was a history lesson for me..

oh of course..as soon as i listed them..i covered them in archival covers, and put them in a drawer..they dont need any more light if they are going to make it another 100 years.

Neat items..

Well..have a great summer..I hope in your travels this summer you find some good surprises...and take time out and enjoy the sun!

ps....in my spare time, i have been playing with ZAZZLE as you might be able to see..really a lot of fun..
check it out if you like..there are all sorts of cool things on that website

As always,

Cathi