Posted 10 years ago
walksoftly
(167 items)
Cabinet Card from my Grandfathers collection.
It appears to be a diner, as there appears to be a kitchen in the back.
Lots of tobacco products at the cash register.
Electric lights suspended from & mounted to the ceiling, along with some metal pans.
On the back is a label
Wilson & Larkin
the only exclusive flashlight photographers in Canada
Toronto, Canada
We have always wondered why this photo was in his collection, it was just recently while digging through his family tree that I found a cousin of his that lived in Pickering, ON.
Circa 1910
Is a great photo! Thanks for share!
Thanks for loving this so quick Virginia & for your kind words.
Is a pleasure walksoftly!
Ohhh ... the back stamp is referring to flash photography. Before electronic flash … before flash bulbs … magnesium was used to create artificial light. It's an important and interesting photographic innovation. I have an early 'igniter' posted here on CW at http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/7996-origins-of-flash-photography-prosch-ign
Ohhh... Rob, I was hoping that you would see this.
I thought that's what they were referring to, but was hoping that you could fill in some details.
The "flashlight" fits my timeline.
Toronto & neighboring cities got electricity around 1908-1910
I have found a few other photos with that info on them, I wonder who the exclusive rights pertained to.
Thanks for the love & the input Rob.
AWESOME PHOTO!!! :) AND HISTORY :)
Thanks for the love Sean & I couldn't agree more!! :-)
David ... stay tuned ... I have a 1914 "Prosch Flashlight Products" handbook and will post in a bit.
I posted the 1914 flashlight product handbook at: http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/139175-prosch-flashlight-products-handbook-and-le#comment-631647
Fascinating picture...love looking at all those bits and pieces..and looks like a very busy place with all those stools.. wouldn't mind a set of thoose!!!...:-)
Thanks for the love mike Radegunder, Jewels, agh, Kevin, nuts, ttom & Belltown.
Thanks for the love inky!
It is a fascinating picture, I've looked at it many times to see what I could identify.
I would also like the stools, hanging light fixtures, cash register, even the sign that says
IF YOU DON'T C
WHAT U WANT
ASK FOR IT
Your very welcome walksoftly!! :)
Thanks for the love Phil, I also appreciate your comments & taking the time to do some research on on this photo.
I remember seeing that image when researching my photo, & considered a possible link to it. My Grandfather's first wife lived at Davidson SK, (just down the road from you) from 1906 till her death in 1912. The problem is the electric lights in the diner, Saskatchewan didn't get electricity until 1929. So I think that rules out this photo being taken in SK.
Thanks for giving this old photo some love f64imager, mike Hunter & Harborguy.
The lights are there Phil.
Starting at the back of the diner you will see a pendant light in line with the upper left corner of the doorway. Following the wires forward you will see a small Edison bulb (on). Then if you look to the right of the man working behind the counter & up, in line with the canned goods on the upper shelf you will see another pendant light.
I have no ides what the line of pans are for.
nice collection Walks..............
Thanks for the love & comment on this one Roycroft.
Love your new profile pic, so funny :-D
Thanks Kyra:-D
The suspended pans maybe to catch flying insects?
I was wondering if it was a converted rail car cantina to provide services to worker/pioneers as they established (rail, mining, lumber, etc.) Northward.
T A
Could be insect traps.
As for it being a railcar, it seems to have too high of a ceiling for one of that era.
But without an outside view all we can do is speculate.
I think they had water in them and when you passed out at bar the bartender pulled a string and dumped a pan of water on you :-)
Could be Sis..lol
Thanks for the love on this photo Sis, TA & filmnet.
Yes of course it is speculation, but it may help if you trace your relatives occupations. Here in the U.S. Census records and war registration records often list occupations. Is it the same there?
Here is an example of a boxcar library used in Montana for mining camps circa 1919. It was done to improve morale.
http://exilebibliophile.blogspot.com/2011/10/lumberjacks-boxcar-library.html
(It no long sits on it's rolling stock). In the one photo, where the empty bookshelf is, you can see where verticle boards were removed, which reminded me of the boards in your photo behind the shelves.
T A
Yes TA Canadian census records do contain info on occupation.
The husband of my Grandfathers cousin, who I think (speculation on my part) this photo may have belonged to did work for the railway. As he was at home at the time of the 1911 & 1921 census he most likely worked in & around Pickering, ON.
It still doesn't confirm or verify this a as converted railcar.
There are many instances of narrow building in many downtown areas, if it was sandwiched between two other building it would explain the lack of windows on the sides.
I like the link BTW.
It just has a primitive quality to it, one that I wouldn't expect for a brick and mortar dinner; and to photograph it -- there's more to it. Unfortunately, with most old photos, all we can do is speculate... but that's the fun of them ;)
Thanks for sharing,
T A
Yes I'm sure there is much more to it.
Why this diner?
Who are the two men, patrons, owners?
What about the young man behind the counter, is he a recent immigrant?
What is happening in the kitchen, clean up after the noon rush?
We always feel compelled to fill in the blanks!
Glad to share.
Thanks for stopping by & giving this some love
filmnet
Kerry
Ted
marcobabe
pops
SJR
artdecogirl
antiquerose
AzTom
CindB
Hedge
Petey
Tony
battlegear
ttom
& pack
Looks like they're waiting for the high stakes poker game across the way to start! Great photo!
Thanks for the love & comment shareurpassion!
Thanks for stopping by & giving this some love
filmnet &
vintagelamp
Lol ... I do not think these guys were eating BLT's ... If U don't C what U want ask for it ...
Is that the same guy here
http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDMDC-PICTURES-R-5362&R=DC-PICTURES-R-5362&searchPageType=vrl
Wilson & Larkin, appears to be the same.
Thanks for the love
filmnet
Sir
kivatinitz &
bladerunner
The guy in the background seems to be the same guy on this post with the same bowler hat ...
He's certainly dressed similar, if we could only make out his face.