In Honor of Abe

On this date 200 years ago, a mementous event in our history transpired. A child named Abraham Lincoln was born in a simple log cabin on his father's farm in Hardin County, Kentucky. Although they lived a hardscrabble existence, Thomas and Nancy Lincoln raised their son as best they could. Obviously, they did something right! It was in these rural surroundings that Lincoln grew up and as a boy witnessed slaves being transported from Louisville to be sold in Nashville, which would have a tremendous impact on him later in life. Lincoln lived in Kentucky until his family moved to Indiana in 1816. It is amazing to ponder that someone from such humble origins would one day be memorialized in magnificent marble in our nation's capital with the likes of Washington and Jefferson.

Today, one of the most recognizable symbols of President Lincoln is his black felt top hat, which he was photographed wearing a few times, including in 1862 (http://cache.eb.com/eb/image?id=2141&rendTypeId=4). Lincoln helped to popularize this men's fashion, and the photo in today's post of an unknown bearded man in his overcoat and holding his shiny new hat is one of the only vintage images of men I own with a top hat in their "likeness." Interestingly, you will notice some sort of medal stand behind the right foot of the gentleman. This is in all probability an iron rod that was used to give the individual proper posture and aid the photographer in posing the image. One of these can be seen in many nineteenthy century photos, most famously in one of Ulysses S. Grant during the Civil War. To see for yourself, visit

http://www.generalsandbrevets.com/ngg/grantus19.htm

Long Lost Couple

Since we are approaching Valentine's Day rather quickly, I gave in and decided to post a picture of a young couple from the Civil War era that has survived more than a century and somehowended up in my collection. Sadly, there is not even a photographer's backmark on the reverse of the image, so we will never know even where it was taken, possibly somewhere in the North. The chances that this man fought in the Civil War are high, since he must be in his mid to late twenties and his young wife clearly loved him, there is a tenderness in her hand on his shoulder which you do not see in many images from this violent period of American history. The hand-woven blanket which covers the table on which he has leaned his arm is quite beautiful. Alas, this poignant photo is but a shadow of a love that was once strong, and now has passed as all things must.

A Beautiful Backdrop (and a New York Lady)

Early photographs from American history can teach us a great deal about the society that produced these portals to our past. While the eye may be first drawn to the massive and maginificent hoop skirt worn by this unknown young woman perhaps from Watertown, NY (where the photo was taken indicated by the photographer's backmark), my own eye is attracted to the incredible detail that surrounds her. There is, for example, the carpet on the floor, which seems to have a very intricate floral pattern. Then there is the remarkable backdrop, painted by a very talented landscape artist, to resemble the parlor of a very fashionable home of the mid-nineteenth century. The artist's realistic rendition is complete with nice view out the window, a comfortable loveseat, a cast iron fireplace, and even a fancy clock on the exquisitely carved wooden mantle! The first photographs in the 1840s had no backgrounds or "status symbols", but by 1860 or so when this lady posed for her stylish photo taken by Charles Hart, "carte de visites" (visiting cards) had become as symbolic and personalized as a profile photo on Facebook or MySpace can be today. This lady wanted everyone to know that she was "top-shelf" as we might say. 140 or so years later, her haunting image still is.

Teacher's Pet?

What an adorable photo for my 40th post since I started this blog back in August 2008! I actually picked up this image today at an antique shop in Ipswich, Massachusetts, where I spent my formative years as a young student. It is fairly obvious that this cute little kid's mother must have made sure he had his best suit of wool clothes on, and the ruffled collar/handkerchief is hilarious. One wonders if he hated it or was teased by his friends. The cap in his right hand and book in his left only adds to the pure charm of this photo from the late 19th century, which was taken at "Reed's Studio, 72 Market Street, Lynn." This would of course be Lynn, Mass. where both of my parents grew up and ironically my late aunt Diane was a teacher for more than thirty years! I apologize for the lack of posts lately but I will try my best to do better in the coming weeks. Thanks for stopping by!

A Cat's Tale

Those of you who know me well understand that I am a serious feline addict. Spending eighteen years of my life with the same cat will do that to you (ages 4-22). Since my aunt Diane died very unexpectedly in December, she left behind a son and also three other "boys", her beloved cats, Sammy, Harry, and Paddy. Amazingly, they (and me) survived the journey to my house in New Hampshire without a scratch! They are doing well, and a few weeks ago I picked up this great old photo of a cat at an antique shop in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts. Interestingly, there is an inscription on the back which reads:

"Kadal, the Delta Chi Cat."

This makes me think this cat once upon a time lived at a frat house at some New England college. I'm sure he had a very good time!

Life's a Long Song, But the Tune Ends Too Soon For Us All

Matt Herrick, my very good friend, bass player, and old roomate from my freshman year at Wheaton College, passed away very unexpectedly a week ago today. He was one of the most talented, generous, and funny human beings I have ever known, and I will miss him dearly. The picture I have posted is recent history, from one of our final performances as members of the Wheaton Jazz Band in May 2001 before we graduated. Yesterday, a bunch of musicians who had played with Matt from high school through college and beyond got together and played a musical tribute to Matt at the beautiful and historic Chapel at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, where Matt worked. I had the opportunity to sing/play the song "Wildflowers" by Tom Petty, which was requested by his wife and family. Here is a sample of the lyrics:
"You belong among the wildflowers
You belong somewhere close to me
Far away from your trouble and worries
You belong somewhere you feel free
You belong somewhere you feel free"

Matt, we will meet again.

Happy New Year!

Welcome to 2009 everyone. That has a very strange ring to it! Weren't we just complaining about Y2K? Anyway, I picked up this very interesting image a few months ago, and this young lady really seems to have an academic look to her. Maybe it's just the glasses, I'm not sure, but this young lady from the late 19th century/early 20th might be a very young teacher or high school student. Embossed on the front of the image is the following: "Yarmouth Portrait Co. 267 Main Street, Yarmouth, N.S." The "Gateway to Nova Scotia" as it is known, was named after Yarmouth, Massachusetts, the hometown of the first European settlers in that area in 1759, shortly after the end of the Seven Years War and the forced relocation of many French colonists in that region. This unknown lady could be a descendant of those intrepid pioneers, or of one of the many Loyalist families who escaped the American Revolution and found safe haven there. We'll never know!