Got this antique portrait today.

Guessing it to be from early 1900s. Something new to research

 

Wonder what all those people have in common. Have you opened up the frame to see if anything written on back? Given the leg-of-mutton sleeves on the women's dresses, I'd think a tad earlier -- 1890s. Love the honest chain link fence.

Debora

 

Well...tho' it may technically be 'chain-link', it sure looks like chicken-wire (poultry-wire) to me, Debora.

As a thought exercise, try to imagine the machinery necessary to manufacture poultry-wire in commercially available quantities, an' at industrial speeds. It boggles my diminished ability, fer shure!

 

You are right! Chicken-wire it is. Reminder that what looks to our modern eyes as inexpensive and countryfied was once a technological breakthrough.

Debora

 

I haven't pulled the back yet because it's actually WOOD and NAILS! I'm as curious as you guys are though, so I'll work on it now. Knew you guys would appreciate this find!

 

I opened it up and there is no writing. However, the back of the photo paper shows a nice sideboard. Even crazier, we own one very similar to it!!

 

interesting mix of folks.....
everyone in their Sunday best , but that's no church, and there aren't enuf women.
A town meeting perhaps .... where a few younger families couldn't find baby sitters ...

on closer inspection......... there are indeed enuf women.....for this to be an after church photo...... but not enuf kids ????????
Where they sent off to play ?

 

you were meant to have it then......

 

This whole thing is just wild!!

 

I thought perhaps a GAR reunion but... I can't find a period example that included women and children.

Debora

 

An interesting image. A pity there’s no writing. I wonder about those benches in the foreground (looks very ‘official’ or church like) The building itself looks like a big old farm/manor house (to me) But the fence probably means it’s in town? Will an official/public building always have signage? I bet that book on the chair can provide some answers.

 

Another rabbit hole - 1844 chicken wire making machine -


https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/wire-netting-machine-charles-barnard/zQEbEdbIj9LjDA?hl=en

And a rather blurry video of a modern one in operation -

https://thekidshouldseethis.com/post/17831413133

 

It blows my mind that people have a photograph taken to capture a moment or memory, but fail to remember that everyone in the photo will die one day!

 

And on that cheery note...

Debora

 

ya well....my dads war photo......he writes the names of the guys he's with....and over his image....he writes..... myself !!!!

as if ........

 

And on that cheery note...

LOL

 

I've had those moments when I thought, "Wait a minute...who am I?"

 

I've had some of the " what am I " ? , variety!!

 

Firm yet sweet on the outside....
Soft & gooey and sweeter..... on the inside....
& a big butt made of cookie dough...............

I swear , sometimes I think I'm a Whippet !!!!



U R what U eat !!!!

 

Family reunion like this one?
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/..._emigrant,_1603-1653_(1907)_(14595573869).jpg

Apparently I ate couch potatoes...