Today is opening day of the English Premiere League season, so I thought it would be a good time to share an old soccer (or, football). As indicated on the back of the photograph, this is an old newspaper stock photo from the Wrexham Leader. The sides are Chesterfield vs. Wrexham. The players listed, Allison, Gordon Banks, George Evans, and Tommy McNab all played on these teams 1956-1959 — so the photo was probably taken around then. If anyone has any other information they can add, please let me know.
The photography studio where this was taken — Hirsch Deutscher Photographer, or Hirsch German Photographer, was in a neighborhood in Chicago where many European immigrants settled. The Near West Side of Chicago neighborhood was primarily made up of Greeks, Jews, and Italians. By the early 1900’s however, many immigrants had moved out of the neighborhood. The majority of the Italian immigrants remained. Thus, by the 1920’s, Chicago’s “Little Italy” was born. Aside from the info you can see on the back, I have very little information on its backstory. I assume because of the photographer this family chose and where Hirsch’s studio was located, they were probably an immigrant family.
Taken in 1946 at the Northway Army Airfield in Northway, Alaska. | Read the feature on this photo — A Serviceman and His Siberian Husky.
No other information about this photo is available. Purchased from seller on eBay.
This is one of those rare photos in the SY Collection that I have no information on. No names, no location, no dates — nothing. It’s also one of the coolest photos in the collection.
The first photo I shared for this project. I have a batch of photos from this family, but no names and only that they lived in Bar Harbor, Maine and the photos were all taken between 1949-1953. This particular shot most likely taken in August 1951, as the calendar behind him shows. I’ve dubbed him “Clark,” and as you will notice throughout these photos, some of his relatives have given names from followers of SY and myself. I hope one day to learn their story.
Taken at a carnival with a witch’s house exhibit to the left. It appears it is during the 1950’s (although that could be a year of 1966 under the words Berlin Christmas to the right). There is no information on the back of the photo. This is one that stands alone in the collection, with no other information or clues as to its original owner.
When Uncle Gene comes to visit Clark and the family for the weekend. | Photos taken 1951 in Bar Harbor, Maine.
Uncle Gene always brings all the cool technology. Want to make a home movie? Check. Want to listen to some Nat King Cole on the beach? Check. | Photo taken 1951 in Bar Harbor, Maine.
Finally Friday for Clark | Photo taken in 1951 at Bar Harbor, Maine.
The party never started until Rob and Melvin dropped in. | Photo taken in Bar Harbor, Maine (1951).
George Norman Beevers (the boy in the photo) was born on March 31, 1914 in Manchester, England. Only three months before Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s assassination, sparking World War I. For the entirety of George’s young life, Britain had been at war. The picture postcard was taken 100 years ago - 1919.
More details about this photo postcard and research about the two siblings provided in the story A Brother and Sister in Manchester.
Heading into this winter storm like... | Photo taken in Maine (1949-1953).
Two young girls, probably taken between 1949-1953 in Bar Harbor, MA based off the little bit of info I have about this particular batch of photos.
“Every portrait that is painted with feeling is a portrait of the artist, not of the sitter.” Oscar Wilde in The Picture of Dorian Gray | Two boys learning to paint. There isn’t any information provided for this photo, so we’re left to wonder about the story behind it.
These two aren’t strangers and the photo is not lost. This is an old photo of my grandparents on my mother’s side of the family - Chester and Louise. It’s a favorite of mine.
These people aren’t actually strangers. That happens to be my great grandmother Brooxie and her three sons. My grandpa Don, is second from the right. I love this photo and felt it would go great with the project.
Patrick would rather be fishing. Maybe he just doesn’t like photos at any time or anywhere. Thanks to everyone who suggested a name for his sister. I’m going to go with Jean — based off your suggestions. | Photo taken in Maine 1949-1953.
A little afternoon croquet for Clark and June. | Taken 1953 in Bar Harbor, Maine.
June enjoying some afternoon croquet. | Taken 1953 in Bar Harbor, Maine.
Photo taken in Bar Harbor, Maine (1949-1953).
“Let's take a boat to Bermuda. Let's take a plane to Saint Paul. Let's grab a kayak to Quincy or Nyack. Let's get away from it all.” 🎶 | Photos taken 1949-1953 in Bar Harbor, Maine | No other information for this photo.
Hazel and Frank get ready for a grand time on the boat. | Photos taken in 1953 at Bar Harbor, Maine. No other information available.
Harding stopped by for a visit with Clark. Always out-dressing everyone else. | Photo taken in Bar Harbor, Maine 1949-1953
Another photo of Harding. Per usual, looking dapper. | Photo taken in Bar Harbor, Maine (1949-1953).
Five miles north of Jackson Park, in Chicago, is an empty, unassuming lot. It sits across the street from The Ellis Park Arts and Recreation Center. In the 19th century that lot was the location of the Wilschke photography studio - where this portrait of a young girl was taken. The portrait is a cabinet card, which was a popular style of photograph from around 1870 until the 1910's. This specific cabinet card was most likely taken in the 1880's-1890's, although the back of the card provides no information. | I found this photo at an antique store in Springfield, MO.
In the quiet neighborhood of Lincoln Park in Chicago, sat the home of Anton and Emilia Gentzel. One day a man dressed in his finest clothing, walked up to the house and Anton let him in. He was balding, thin, and his tie was a bit crooked. Neighbors were used to the scene. It wasn’t uncommon for people to visit, always dressed in their best, and spend time at the Gentzel’s. Anton and Emilia operated a photography studio in the first floor of their home in the late 19th century. It’s where this photo was taken that day — crooked tie and all. | Photo is a cabinet card. No date or name provided. Research indicates the Gentzel’s operated the successful photography studio in Chicago for some time.
This humorous photo was in the mix with Clark’s family photos from Bar Harbor, Maine, but like most of the photos in that batch, I have no other information. Most likely taken somewhere between 1949-1953.
Weekend at the Acadia National Park | Taken in Acadia National Park in Maine (1949-1953).
When June has all of her friends over to the house. | Photo taken in Bar Harbor, Maine (1951)
Two unknown kids in Bar Harbor, Maine. Photo taken in 1951.
An Underwood & Underwood stereograph featuring some children at a Mexican primary school being taught the alphabet. No other information besides what you can see on this photo is available about the scene. Underwood & Underwood established itself as a stereographic distributing company in 1882. At one point they were the largest publisher of stereoviews in the world — producing 10 million views a year.
June 1910 — the only information on this photo. I’ve wondered if this was posed, or if he was briefly interrupted from his work by someone to take the photo. | Photo purchased in Alabama by SY Contributor Garrett Lorton. | #sincerelyyesterday
Jean — always seemed ready to pose for the camera. | Photo taken in Bar Harbor, Maine (1949-1953)
Clark and June had a lot of dinner parties at their house — at least that’s the impression I get from all of the photos they took of friends dressed up and hanging at their place. Even Uncle Gene shows up and camps out by the ash tray. Photo taken in Bar Harbor, Maine (1949-1953).
Photo taken in Bar Harbor, Maine (1949-1953).
“There’s nothing — absolutely nothing — half so much worth doing as messing about in boats.” — Kenneth Grahame in The Wind in the Willows | Photo taken in Bar Harbor, Maine (1949-1953).
Brother and sister Hazel and Harvey Phillips’ stories are likely lost to time. These photos were taken sometime around 1939, but where exactly is unknown. These photos are hinged onto a page that appears to have been removed from a photo album. It was separated from the album at some point, and all I have in my possession is this solo page. The back page features photos that appear to have been taken around the family homestead.