Who Were They?

Lost and forgotten photos from the past

Ernst Home

Mrs Marvel

4 comments

September 20, 2012

This real photo postcard  also came from Denver, although it appears to identify a house in Marcus, Iowa. The house is quite impressive and if you look closely you can see at least one person standing by the porch, left. It is unfortunate that the image is so badly faded. The search for this home is complicated because there is an Earnest Funeral Home in Marcus, IA. Could they be one and the same? Or is it just a complication?

UPDATE: Thanks to the great leads from Far Side & Jennifer in the comments, this is identified as the Bill & Kate Ernst farm house just south of Marcus, IA. According to the Marcus Historical Society it originally belonged to John Ernst and Kate inherited it from him. In the 1980s it was sold to another farmer who removed the building and all other objects to expand his farm. Arlene from the historical society shared this great anecdote about Kate Ernst: Katie would drive to town, park in front of the bank and the tellers would have to go out to help her with her business. Apparently, she did not feel like she needed to get out of the car! Another farm owned by Katie’s brother John was just north of this farm and it is now gone as well. Happily, the Marcus Historical Society will be taking ownership of this great old photo of the Ernst home for their records! Be sure to check the comments for another recollection of the Ernst home sale.

Denver

Mrs Marvel

3 comments

September 17, 2012

 

 

Back in 1910, Ms Sullivan must have been feeling low, because someone sent her this sentimental postal card.

Oh – do not complain at the way the flower grows; Forget the sharp thorns, just remember the rose(s).

Unfortunately, the sender did not sign the card.

Found you at last…

Mrs Marvel

15 comments

September 14, 2012

 

For Sepia Saturday I am giving you a vintage image of Chiping Sodbury Market Place, 1903. The postcard was mailed in 1989 and what I love the most is the text on the back.

 

The obviously misaddressed note was cheekily redirected and I know the card reached its correct destination because it was in my friend’s collection. All thanks to the resident at 36 Church Street.

For more images of shops, people, groceries, and more, click over to Sepia Saturday!

What’s on your shopping list?

Hold still….

Mrs Marvel

4 comments

September 14, 2012

I accidentally put photo 26 before 25, so here is photo #25 from the Leather CdV Album. This pose is similar to the Just Dandy photo of last week, in that the man is holding onto a chair and you can see the base of the positioning stand behind his feet. Also, he looks rather formal and a bit uncomfortable while trying to look casual and relaxed. His frock coat was a popular style in the 1860s and beyond. This is a style we sometimes see men wearing in weddings today. Much of today’s men’s formal wear flashes back to the every day styles of the Victorian and Edwardian eras. We are so casual these days! I saw a TV personality wearing a three piece suit recently and I hope that style comes back into fashion, it is just so dapper.

No photographers information was included on the back, so this will fall into the Unknown category.

Faded

Mrs Marvel

3 comments

September 12, 2012

Today’s photo from opening #26 of the Leather CdV Album is either a poor quality print, or faded out, or both. The fellow, with his puffy hair style and slight “I’m trying to carry a caterpillar here” mustache, makes me think of some of the boys in my high school back in the ’80s (the nineteen 80s). He has one of those faces that transcends time and looks like he could fit in just about anywhere. No photographer information was on the back of the photo.

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