{all photos are autochromes from the George Eastman House circa 1910-1920s! Linked to thier individual pages}
I've been stubmling upon lots of incredible vintage portraits lately so this may become a semi-regular column. I just love looking at old photos of people, imagining their stories and what their lives were like...and all of these people above sure look like they have some stories to tell! And the colors are killing me, so gorgeous! It's amazing to see photos this old in full color, they look modern almost!
I would like to steal the peach silk dress and necklaces off that girl in the throne (3rd photo down) and I think the lady in the greenhouse (just above) seems like a woman after my own flower-loving heart. I love looking at all of these tho, truly- it's so easy to start creating stories from them all. Which photo intrigues you the most?
Awesome portraits my dear!! I wonder where the couple in the 4th pic down are headed?
Posted by: drsmoothdeath | Apr 25, 2011 at 08:17 AM
Great find, Thank you for sharing these. I love the fashions
Posted by: kerry | Apr 25, 2011 at 08:24 AM
I really love the lady in the greenhouse too. All of those plants!
Posted by: Dil | Apr 25, 2011 at 08:28 AM
The group of men (third from bottom) are Shriners, which is an offshoot of Freemasonry. The name of the specific shrine must be Damascus. Wonder if they still exist. I bet they do!
Posted by: Lena | Apr 25, 2011 at 08:37 AM
They do and they are in my home state! Wow!
http://damascusshrinemasons.org/
Posted by: Lena | Apr 25, 2011 at 08:39 AM
These are incredible! I can't help aspiring to be the kind of person whose portrait would intrigue people of the future. :)
Posted by: Sally | Apr 25, 2011 at 09:11 AM
Me too! just eloped and off to a honeymoon maybe?
Posted by: Miss Modish | Apr 25, 2011 at 09:41 AM
oh, interesting!
Posted by: Miss Modish | Apr 25, 2011 at 09:42 AM
sounds like a smart couple'uh lovebirds!
Posted by: drsmoothdeath | Apr 25, 2011 at 10:04 AM
Wonderful pictures! Each one just begs to tell a story! And speaking of intriguing portraits - I recently read the book "Scribbling Women" by Marthe Jocelyn and it might be something you would enjoy. It is a collection of short biographies of lesser known women in history who recorded their out-of-the-ordinary life experiences in one way or another. From a Victorian woman who lived on a whaling boat to an Vietnamese doctor serving during the Vietnam war, their stories are fascinating (and I usually don't like reading non-fiction!)
Posted by: Tiffany | Apr 25, 2011 at 10:30 AM
I'm intrigued by Mr. Mustache. And the brother/sister? Mother/son? pair who are sitting in the same chair.
Posted by: Amy | Apr 25, 2011 at 10:43 AM
Ooh, that book sounds really awesome and I love non-fiction! I will definitely have to check it out- thank you Tiffany!
Posted by: Miss Modish | Apr 25, 2011 at 11:00 AM
I love Mr. Mustache! haha! And the boy and Mom (?) I'm curious about too, she looks kind of forlorn...
Posted by: Miss Modish | Apr 25, 2011 at 11:08 AM
You really do find the best vintage portraits! I love that they came from the George Eastman House - I used to go there growing up. My favorite is the woman in the kimono-like robe - I just love her look!
Posted by: Sweet Ronit | Apr 25, 2011 at 11:10 AM
The past looks so romantic doesn't it, 3rd lady down looks like she's starting her own cult. I really love suitcase man's cardigan and hat.
Posted by: Madeleine | Apr 25, 2011 at 11:32 AM
WOW, lovely pictures, I wonder what that lady (in the greenhouse) was thinking... I love her dress too.
Thank you for sharing this.
Posted by: myfairground | Apr 25, 2011 at 11:54 AM
Old color pictures are SO amazing... We tend to forget that our ancestors lived in a full color world, just like us. It is amazing (and even a bit scary) how those pictures bring the past to the present, how those people that died long ago look like the neighbor next door in a fancy dress party... only that they wore those clothes for real, everyday.
Love all the pictures you selected.
This collection is very impressive too:
http://teenangster.net/2010/08/russia-in-color/
Posted by: Laura | Apr 26, 2011 at 07:09 AM
these are lovely! very intriguing indeed! I like the one of the woman and little boy sitting in the chair...Her face looks like a painting! Thanks for sharing these :)
Posted by: Jenn | Apr 26, 2011 at 02:54 PM
Those portraits are amazing! I specially love the # 8, so sweet!
Posted by: Guisela@underanewlight | Apr 26, 2011 at 05:53 PM
Yes love that throne ladys look as well! Great set of pics! Hope you don't mind I shared them on my blog as well, credited to you of cource!
Posted by: Laura - Mina + Oli | Apr 27, 2011 at 04:10 AM
Love these portraits! I've been having fun creating little stories for each image in my head.
Posted by: Meli (Blush + Jelly) | Apr 27, 2011 at 09:04 AM
So inspirational! thanks for the great post!
Posted by: Cameron | Apr 30, 2011 at 08:35 PM
SO amazing. I've been having fun creating little stories for each image in my head. Very intriguing indeed! I like the one of the woman and little boy sitting in the chair.
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Posted by: Account Deleted | Sep 27, 2011 at 07:19 PM