The Uniform Makes the Man

The crossed rifles on the cap, I think, is infantry. Written on the back, "Vester Lynn."

American Troops in Siberia

These images stretch the term found photograph a bit. As I've noted in the other posts in this series, I think that they are rotogravures and are from a World War 1 press release, though if there is anyone out there who can correct me, please leave a comment. I purchased all of these images with the intention of having copy negs made and then black & white prints. Never got around to it with these pictures of American involvement in Siberia, in support of the anti-Bolshevik forces. The picture of troops marching down a dirt road is labeled, "Thirty-first Infantry on a practice march near Vladivostok, December 3, 1918. This regiment, commanded by Colonel F.H. Sargent, is a regular regiment organization from Manila when it was decided to send United States troops to Siberia to aid in guarding military stores belonging to Russia and to render such aid as might be acceptable to the Russians in the organization of their own self-defense. Prior to this movement the Russian people were assured by the United States that the troops would not interfere in the internal affairs of the Russian people and that there would be no interference with the political sovereignty of Russia." The picture of the man with his hand in his jacket, "Twenty-four hours after this picture was taken these Bolshevist leaders were executed by the Czechs at Ekaterinburg. The girl was an official "Red" stenographer." The uniformed man, "Admiral Kolchak, head of the Russian provisional government opposing the Bolshevki in Siberia during 1918 and 1919." The wagon train on the dirt road, "American troops on march near Vladivostok, Dec. 3, 1918." And, the military parade, "Allied peace parade in Vladivostok, Nov. 15, 1918, to celebrate the Armistice of Nov.14. The leading troops are Americans of the 31st Inf." Note, that World War 1 ended before many of these photos were taken.

Wil-Crest Studios

Embossed on the lower right corner of the photo, 'WIL-CREST STUDIOS" There was more than one? Probably from the forties.

Vacations and Reunions

I've noticed a strange conceit in many people from the sixties generation and younger that we are the first generations of Americans who have travelled. Forget the wars that have been fought in the twentieth century, travel has always been something we've done. All prints from the same estate. The two women on the bicycles is labeled, "Bermuda 1925" The water front picture with the single sail boat, "Dock Nassau, Bahamas July 1936" Note the building signed Kelly's Lumber Yard. I doubt that water front property in the Bahamas is cheap enough now to allow for a lumber yard. I'd be very surprised that this site isn't now occupied by a luxury hotel. The guys in the row boats, "Nassau, Bahamas. July 1936" Note the one man swimming. The photo of the couple, shipboard, "Aug. 1927" Not the life preservers, identifying the ship as the John A. Topping, registered in Fairport. The ship's superstructure, "Aft in our headquarters S.S. Managua July 1936" The squarish building with the steamer in the background, "The oldest town in Bermuda, St. George July 1936" The government building is labeled, "Capitol of Havana, Cuba July 1936" It seems to modeled after the U.S. Capitol in Washington. The row boats all clustered together on a lake, "Liberty N.Y. 1926" No Caribbean getaway in 26. A;ll of the farm pictures are labeled, "Lookout, Pa. 1926" It looks like a probable family reunion to me. My guess is that the couple who took these trips were a generation or two away from the farm.

Woman In A Long Dress

A studio portrait from the late nineteenth century. Mounted on a card, stamped "Sherman 876 Broad St., Newerk, N.J."

Cabinet Cards

I've noticed that a lot of dealers seem to be confused about cabinet cards. The cabinet card is standardized format. A cabinet card is 4.25x6.5 inch cardboard with a print mounted on the front. While the image may vary somewhat, the image is usually around 4x5.25 inches. The borders on the front and the back of the card often have photographers marks, identifying the photographer and the location of his studio. Both of these images are somewhat different in that they do not have any advertising on the reverse of the card, and the image of the woman has no identifying marks on the front borders, either.

Old Cars

I bought these photos because I liked the old cars, but in time I found myself more fascinated by the house.