At The Cabin, 1954
Today's photos were just three of many found in a box of images from the 50's, but I found these particularly appealing.
I love the warm light, and the cabin (I assume it's not this family's regular home!), with a wall full of pennants. Notre Dame, the Red Sox, Dartmouth, Fordham University, the New York Giants, West Point, and even one for Nantucket Beach. The low angle of the light almost mimics a campfire - it reminds me of a Reddit group called "Accidental Renaissance". It also reminds me of the paintings of Georges de la Tour. I don't know why it matters, but I somehow like knowing that these photos were taken on July 14th, 1954.
Here's a beautiful painting by de la Tour, from the L.A. County Museum of Art, it's always been one of my favorites. "The Magdalen With The Smoking Flame". Nice chiaroscuro, wouldn't you say?!
The 48-star Flag is always a fun detail; Grandma rests her hand affectionately on Grandpa's head.
There's a few kerosene lanterns in case of a storm; I see a paddle mounted on the wall, so canoeing might be on the schedule tomorrow. Or they'll go fishin' and catch a few walleye!
I hope you've enjoyed these vintage pix.
18 comments:
Major-
It's hard not to love this almost interior 'pastoral' scene - everyone looking so contented and relaxed. Could this not also be shot in a basement or rumpus room somewhere-?
Thanks, Major.
These are very interesting photos! And I like the lighting. I see that there is a pair of old wooden crutches, propped up against the fireplace (first pic). As I mentioned late yesterday, I have a pair of crutches like that in my garage! And speaking of the fireplace, the stairs appear to go right up over the top of it. So, how does the fireplace/chimney work?
What cool photos. Where do you find these little gems? I picture a lake out front with a wooden canoe, tied up to rickety old dock. The distant song of the Loons, echoing across the mist shrouded water. And let's not forget those kids are now in their 70s. Parchese anyone? Thanks major.
These seem to be real, "salt of the earth" folk. If they offered you pie, you know it would be delicious! I think I see a bowling ball case on the table in the first shot, but they've moved it in the rest. Also the boy in the upper left of the last shot really looks like Jerry Mathers, but he doesn't in the other pics. As for the fireplace, the firebox was probably plenty big for the stairs to go over. The chimney would have been toward the rear of the box, and might have even tilted a bit to connect with the main run to the roof (but maybe not). It all begs the question, does this cabin still exist? It could, of course, but I'll wager it will never look this comforting again...
I wonder why some people aren't looking at the camera? They could be watching TV, or maybe there's just an epic raccoon fight going on outside the window. The "Accidental Renaissance" stuff is interesting - thanks, Major.
Great pics! At first I wondered if it were their basement. Love the rustic stair rail.
By the way, it's actually Nantasket Beach (which used to have the fantastic Paragon Park), not Nantucket.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nantasket_Beach
Alotta points for chiaroscuro which I had to look up.
I would like to spend an hour or so in their place exploring all the stuff. And stay for lunch and some of that pie.
I always wonder how photos like this get 'lost' to the family, but then found by Major P.
Thanks for the intimate glimpse into this family's history.
dz
Love this set! Reminds me of stuff I'd find at my grandparents' house and a cabin we rented with them once up near Donner Lake. Man, was I hungry on that trip.
Been a busy few days and have been unable to make it to the daily cracker barrel gathering in the Virtual Market House. Many thanks for the kind words from those of you who commented on my old-time photo from Wednesday the 15th. I've left responses there that will post as soon as the Good Major (or his moderator subcontractor; GDB is a large, multi-national concern) approves it for public release.
Now - I'm off backpacking to the backyard! I'm not letting COVID-19 spoil my weekend!
What a great set of pictures. Lots of good memories piling up there for those folks. Looks like a movie set.
Maybe the Major could share some of the back story of how these pictures came to GDB.
JG
Really good stuff Major. Like JC, wondered where you acquired these moments in time. I think you can be assured that Grandma and Grandpa came from the old country. A certain unmistakable look. My grandparents had it. They both arrived at Ellis Island around 1915 or something like that. Nice warm glow going on in those pics.
Thank you Major.
Chuck, The weather's nice and I've got about 500 sq.ft. of dead African Daisy's to pull up in the front yard. After that, pack some snacks and a nice road trip to Tubac and back. Put on some Beatles, Led Zeppelin and some John Prine. Hardly anyone on the road, should be nice.
What a beautiful slice of life. Look at all those little mementos put on display, no doubt all commemorating good times.
@ ADM-
Thanks for the correction of the Nantasket Beach pennant. Good 'ol Paragon Park - it's been a really long time since I was last there.
A lovely snippet of Americana. What a great find Major. KS
Nanook, although my family never stayed in a cabin with this much character, these photos still bring back memories of fishing trips to Minnesota. Good times!
TokyoMagic!, maybe the crutches are there just in case? I once hurt my knee after a bicycle wipeout, and my friend had his old crutches to loan me, they were helpful. I see what you mean about the stairs and the firebox, it is a mystery I can’t solve.
Jonathan, you’ll find things like this if you collect old slides; I rarely buy boxes of old slides these days because they’ve gone up in price so much, but I miss the fun of going through hundreds or thousands of old photos on slides!
stu29573, that does kind of look like a bag for a bowling ball; maybe there was a town nearby with some lanes! Normally if you’re out in the woods there’s not much to do after dark, but if you’re willing to drive to town, you can bowl, eat some hot french fries, maybe grab a beer, listen to music… what’s not to like! I’m sure if this cabin still stands, it looks completely different.
Andrew, I can only assume that the photographer instructed them to look at a particular spot. “Look at the framed picture of FDR on the other wall”. “Now look over there”. “Now give me all your money, this is a stickup”.
ADM, ah, you’re right; I know Nantasket Beach, guess I wasn’t paying enough attention.
dzacher, it’s amazing what a junior college art history class will teach you! I actually loved that class, wouldn’t mind taking something like that again. It’s history… but through art! Glad you liked these.
Chuck, most of the cabins we rented had knotty pine panelling, and those flypaper curls hanging from and overhead beam. Maybe they’d have a paperback book or two, or possibly a Bible, but certainly nothing like the bric-a-brac seen in these photos. This looks like many years of collecting. I have approved your other comment for public consumption! Thank you for the five figure check BTW.
JG, there is something “John Ford”-ish about these. Somebody was probably playing a harmonica nearby. The story of these slides isn’t very interesting; I bought a big box full of random slides, and these were in the box!
DrGoat, I can’t help thinking that Grandma and Grandpa were of Norwegian, Swedish, or German origins. Yumpin’ yiminy! I wish I knew more about my paternal grandparents, who had very different lives; my Grandmother worked as a housemaid, and my Grandfather worked at a meat packing plant. They lived nice, modest lives in southern Minnesota. If you’re on the road to Tubac, why not play some TUPAC? (See what I did there?).
Sunday Night, this looks like a cabin if I lived there. I just love old stuff!
Nanook, yes, I was going to mention my old Paragon Park article, but was way too lazy to look for it.
Major, is this what you're looking for?
Major, what an interesting find! Norman-Rockwell-chiaroscuro-cabin-style slides.
Am I the only one that noticed the moonshine(??) in the 2nd cabin picture - on the fruity-table-clothed table - and very close to Grandpa?! And I wonder what Tennessee-Tuxedo-penguin holds . . .
These are fun - I LOVE the vintage people-slides! Thank you, Major!
Sue
Oops, link didn't work...knew I shouldn't have tried to add it on my phone! LINK
Andrew, whaaaaa?
Lou and Sue, I think it was Grandma who brought the moonshine. She knew how Gramps got if he didn’t have his “medicine”. And you know what? Kids love it too! Glad you enjoyed these, Sue.
Andrew, YES, that is the one I was thinking of, thank you!
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