The vintage people
Every once in a while I clean house, to include dusting and perhaps rearranging a thing or two.
(I know, right? The pods in the basement occasionally open up.)
But today wasn't one of those days.
I'm not sure why I decided to share these vintage photos I have lying about, but I did so here we are.
Many years back I happened onto a pile of old portraits in an antique store in Findlay, Ohio.
Thinking they might class up my domestic decorating scheme -- which is decidedly eclectic -- a trifle, I bought a few. I wish I'd bought more.
This is Flora. Flora Schubert of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to be exact.
How's that for stage presence? Something tells me she was a force to be reckoned with even before her first birthday.
According to the back of the photo whereon it is recorded in perfect Copperplate rendered from a fountain pen, Flora was ten months old at the time ... and the time was 1894.
This next one is unidentifiable except for the photographer's mark: Miller of Tiffin, Ohio.
I like her necklace. And I've been to Tiffin.
Next up is a photo I cadged from Find A Grave. The couple pictured are PFC Christine Agnus "Chris" Clunie Maynard (1928-1995) and Sergeant Major Hubert Auther "Topper" Maynard (1922-1987).
They both served honorably in the United States Marine Corps.
Sgt. Major Maynard was ultimately decorated with two Purple Hearts for two separate conflicts: World War II and the Korean War. He also served two tours in Vietnam.
But even in the face of such valor and heroism, I cannot get past the romantic intrigue of this picture. His fingers tucked up under her sleeve ... ah. I love it.
This next one, circa 1918, is of TG's paternal grandfather, Andrew Weber (1887-1960), who served our country in the Army during World War I.
The grinning collie is Shep, who waited at home on the farm in Ohio.
And here's a scan of a postcard sent by Andrew to his nephew, Aurelius Weber, from what was then Camp Jackson right here in Columbia, South Carolina.
Fort Jackson during World War I:
Here is the envelope of a proper letter Andrew wrote to his nephew from Camp Jackson:
This past July we visited Aurelius's grave:
During the next great war my father-in-law, Stanley (far right), and his brother, James (far left), sons of the aforementioned Andrew, paused for a photo with an unidentified Navy man on the front walk of their maternal grandparents' home in Pettisville, Ohio:
I took a picture of that house on July 7, 2011. It's hardly changed but the men, their smiles, their youth, their shadows are all gone.
And here is TG's father posing with his buddies in the South Pacific, where they defended your freedom and mine:
Stanley Weber (1925-2011) is fourth from the left, top row. I hope he didn't accidentally step on that miniature guy to his right.
Then there's this postcard, another relic from the Findlay antique store:
I am sorry to say the postmark on the back isn't complete enough to read the year, but the card was mailed on an August day at 4 p.m. from Brooklyn, New York, addressed to Miss Blanche Meech, 19 1/2 Merrick St., Adrian, Mich.
The message reads as follows:
Was quite surprised to hear from you, I am still here at Nora's, we get along fine with the boarders and also get a tip once in a while $2.00 from the Columbus, O. girls going some. Come up and see what you can get.
And it's signed, Alma Marie.
My mother gave me this picture a long time ago:
Which clearly needs no explanation.
In that same antique store I picked up a piece of vintage sheet music:
Just because it's romantic and patriotic, and I love classic films, and Joseph Cotten is a favorite of mine and who could fail to adore the adorable Deanna Durbin?
But I doubt we could make these lyrics fly in a Hollyweird film made today:
All of us are working hand in hand;
We're working to preserve this wondrous land;
But there is something more we all can do,
That will help to bring our loved ones safely through:
Say a pray'r for the boys over there
When they play the Star Spangled Banner
Picture them by the dawn's early light,
And ask the Lord to watch over them each night;
Lift your eyes as you silently rise
When they play the Star Spangled Banner;
As the song of freedom fills the air,
Say a pray'r for the boys over there.
The muzzies and the atheists and progressiliberals of every stripe would get their knickers ALL in a twist if they heard it.
Boo Hoo. They can collectively go and jump in the nearest lake.
God bless America.
Someday we'll all be vintage people, y'all. Carpe diem.
Reader Comments (7)
She had a Gorgeous voice didn't she...Why don't they sing like that today?!!!
Love the post Miz Jenny! I even looked for my Dad in the South Pacific photo!Lolol...Dad served there as well....
Loved the photos!!
God Bless America!
hughugs
I love all those vintage photos. What a concept - someday we'll all be vintage! I'm already on my way. :)
What an interesting post. I love old post cards and pictures and you sure have a bunch that I enjoyed.
A delightful collection!!!
Harking back to a more home-spun time. -sigh-
Btw, my beloved cousin Joe, was in the South Pacific. With the Army Engineers, which he said "Went in first." To pave the way, I suppose. I loved him so much. And my mother did too. He was more like a younger brother to her, than a cousin.
Gentle hugs...
Thank you for giving me a little trip down vintage lane. Old pics are so adorable. Such treasures! The Ellie makes me giggle...
I LOVED this post!! Thanks for sharing those photo's!! Love looking at them!
Oh, I love vintage stuff! I inherited a whole truckload of photos from my mother, some of which are very old indeed. I love them, but they're a nightmare to sort and label, and if I don't (while there are people alive who remember who everyone was) they'll end up like your antique shop finds .. anonymous and unloved, except possibly by a stranger. Sad.