Posted 8 years ago
Pencil-nec…
(104 items)
OK - let me say up front that I have no way of proving this, but....
I came across these two blue-tinted real photo postcards in a small accumulation from West Texas/New Mexico. I've tried to puzzle out what is going on in the pictures and have a strong suspicion that they represent cowboys and hookers.
Follow me on this:
~ The group photo - three men and three women in front of a ramshackle 'house' in the middle of nowhere that has two entry doors side by side. To me, that says 'bunk house', not a primary residence. Fair assumption?
~ These are circa 1910 - the height of the Victorian era. From everything I've ever heard about this period, no self-respecting woman (much less three of them) would dare be seen visiting a cowboy's bunk house. It just wasn't done. Fair assumption?
~The male/female ratio in that area at that time was ... what? Ten to one? Yet these fellas found THREE women that were willing to come by and visit them. Seems darned unlikely to me.... unless.... they were making a 'house call'.
~ Then there is that second photo. Can anyone explain to me a reasonable alternative (look at that landscape - they sure weren't going swimming) on why they would be removing those boots on a summer afternoon if they weren't getting ready for some belly-bumping?
Like I said at the beginning, I've no proof for any of my suppositions, but do they sound reasonable to you? Can anyone suggest a more likely scenario? These cards were unsent and the divided backs indicate a 1908-1915 time frame. There is no writing, but there are some pinholes in the corners, which indicates to me they were kept on display, possibly in the bunkhouse.
I almost forgot to add (if it isn't apparent) that the two cowpokes who are engaged in boot removal are the same two standing in the doorways of the group photo.
Musings welcome....
You sure have some imagination ! So do I ! LOL !!
Very different, awesome, cool postcard but oh wow your imagination ....
Looks like modern day horsin around possibly family photo. ?
Heck IDK but it's very different with the tinting.!!
Thanks for sharing it. I LOVE old postcards!!
No pix of women after the boots come off ! LOL !
Yeah, I've got an 'active' imagination, I guess. You two aren't the first ones to make that observation... ;^)
The blue tint is uncommon, but not unknown, OGF - I've seen others with that hue. Probably depended on which company you sent the film to, or perhaps it was an option. Maybe someone will stop by that knows more about it.
I assume the same. Just wondering how on earth they got those printed up! Is this the REAL "old west"--what a revelation!!
I have some vintage postcards which are right after1900 in blue and white too.
Images look to be family shots.
These blue tone images are called cyanotypes-- the same process that was used in the 20th century to produce architectural "blueprints".
scott
you might be right. of course, my definition of 'family' is pretty broad!!
Thanks for the info on cyanotypes, Scott. I had forgotten that subset of postcards.
Like I said to start with, we'll never know for sure the 'real' story on these, but it sure is fun to speculate, isn't it?
Cyanotypes aren't exclusive to or a subset of postcards-- they are found in formats other than rppcs.
scott
Thanks for that input, Scott. From what I have uncovered, cyanotypes were popular in less-populated areas because the process did not take much knowledge of or access to exotic chemicals and was do-able by almost anyone. I've read that they are in some cases quite popular because the process is, rather than faded by direct sunlight, actually enhanced and boldened by it, which I found interesting.