I found them—all bound together—in an old house in my town. An estate sale…the entire contents of someone’s life being offered up for sale to complete strangers…and these faces were among the contents…and they spoke to me almost from across the room…
I didn’t know who they were. I just knew they would come home with me.
I have many generations-worth of my own family pictures. Pictures that are known, loved and shared…it broke my heart to see these beautiful faces, that had at one time been known and loved…but were now lost to those who should continue to know and love them.
But I will give them a home—and even if just for a minute here—a bit of a voice. Sharing them as they were meant to be shared.
I will be careful not to let them get confused with those of my own family—but they will be my friends.
Perhaps they will appear once in a while in my art journals…in collages…who knows? But, they won’t disappear.
One face haunts me more than the others—this beautiful be-speckled woman in so many of the portraits—as a bride and otherwise…lovely…{and she really reminds me of my husband’s sister…}
The photographers’ marks are not to be over-looked…the stamps of the pride they took in their work so very long ago…
Faces were lost and now they are found….
Maybe they were meant to come home with me. Maybe I’ll never know why….but they spoke to me that day, and I answered………
Julie
I recently had the same experience - I paid a whole $1 to inherit a collection of wonderful family photos - like you I have "adopted" them and they have become extended family members. It is sad to think they were so easily given up - but on the other hand, rather then ending up in the trash they at least have a second life with us :)
ReplyDeleteOh Julie I LOVE those beautiful old photos!!! I too don't understand how someone can let "family" go like that. They have found a wonderful home with you because I KNOW you will do something amazing with them. ENJOY & thank you so much for sharing! Have a wonderful week! HUGS!
ReplyDeleteCharlene
I adopt other families whenever the opportunity presents itself Julie. I am always saddened to find someone's family in a box in the corner of a room of an estate sale but more than happy to give them a home with me.
ReplyDeleteLovely post! xo
Oh Julie... my eyes are filled with tears as I read this and look at these lost souls who have now found a home with you... yes, I believe there is a reason you found them... I honestly can NEVER understand how family, any family, can part with these things... I once was afraid I was going to be arrested once (yes, and Jack is a retired policeman even and I am retired from SLCPD as well)... because a woman at an estate sale was carelessly rummaging around in a box of photos, much like the ones you saved... she even tore some she was so careless... without even thinking about it, I grabbed her by her collar and told her to stop it, that these were someones entire life and I would not stand by and watch them be destroyed... needless to say, she sheepishly threw them down and I picked up the whole box and bought them... I have no idea who they are either... but they now have a home with me, like yours do with you... that lovely lady is so bewitching... she looks as if she is trying to tell you something... I always listen for gentle whispers from the past... perhaps she will whisper to you... so happy you shared these!... xoxo Julie Marie
ReplyDeleteWow, that lady's eyes are very... persuasive and do draw you in! Glad you're giving the pics a good home:@)
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! I, too, feel a pang of sadness when I see old portraits at stores/sales, thinking there is no family left for these people. But that's life, I guess. Photos of me will probably wind up at some garage sale someday!! At least there are people like us who appreciate these pictures.
ReplyDeleteLike the gals who have commented above, I too wonder how it is family photos end up for sale. Lucky for this group they have found a good home with you!
ReplyDeletechris
Julie,
DeleteI am glad you saved them! They are really lovely! That little boy is so precious. He is just longing to be protected!
I hope I am back for good now. I have missed you and mu other friends in blogland so much.
Big hugs,
Suz
Beautiful photos. I get the same kind of pang when I'm rummaging through the 'house clearance' stall at our local car boot sale. Usually wedding photos with (of course) no writing on the back to tell us who they were. At least these found a home with someone who will appreciate them. xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful collection of pictures. I too can't understand how people can give up such family treasures, but I know that you will cherish thema and give them new life. Enjoy them!
ReplyDeleteI have heard that Ancestry.com has a feature for "found photos." I haven't checked into it...but it sounds interesting and a place for those abandoned family pictures.
ReplyDeleteSo glad they have a new home, especially with you. I know they will be cared for very well. Thank you for sharing, and such a hoot those old spectacles were. I wonder if they really helped her see any better?
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Meri
Oh, what an amazing find!
ReplyDeleteI love the face of the little girl sat next to the 'overpainted' girlie. Also the imbossed signatures of the photographer are just gorgeous. I am pleased that someone like you bought these and will treasure them.
It was no mistake for those precious, lovely photos to find their way into your life. I know you will create delightful pieces of art with them, and I'm eagerly anticipating their outcome.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you'll give those wonderful old photos a new home. Trying to imagine what their lives were like. Mimi
ReplyDeleteIm glad you rescued these photos! I LOVE that womans wedding gown! how beautiful it is. Can you imagine it in person?
ReplyDeleteI know you'll do fun things with these pics!
have a great week
xoxo
vivian
Amazing photos! I always wonder why families don't keep them to pass down to generations also! And I'm always on the lookout for them! So special that someone who cares found them to give them a good home. They are so precious!
ReplyDeleteOh dear! I so relate to this, perhaps someone else wouldl love to have them, maybe Ancestry.com can help you find another relative that might just adore them! Are there any names????? Julie, I can so relate to this, it makes me so sad.....and I agree the one woman speak to you when you look at her photos! "Remember me"......
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous find Julie!! I love old photographs and often wonder about the people in them . . . their hopes and dreams, sorrows and regrets, just everything. I know they have found a good home with you! xxoo
ReplyDeleteWow...I always run into old photographs when out and about at the thrift stores and find them so interesting and sad to think they are not with their owners families. I know you will honour these ones my sweet friend...they are blessed to be in such good hands. xxox
ReplyDeleteJulie, you're so lucky to have found those beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteJulie - Such beautiful photos. Don't you always wonder what their life was like and who they were? Probably not near as exciting as we dream they are.
ReplyDeleteJudy
ReplyDeleteThe bride is my favorite her dress is so wonderful and her headpiece I bet is in a dome somewhere. They always saved everything from their weddings
I have a few old saved pictures also . It is so sad to think some family didn't want them
Hello my friend! Gosh .. it's been so, so long since we last spoke or visited ... I'm sorry for that!
ReplyDeleteYour work & stories are just as fabulous as always and this posting really caught my attention. SO glad you brought these lovelies home with you ... and I'm sure they are glad to be in your possession for YOU above all will take care of them and cherish them as they should be.
Mark has retired now and remains cancer free (thank God) and we are hoping to do some traveling come Springtime. But until we do, I will continue to do what I do best ... hide in my cave and create cards, etc.
I hope to be seeing more of you once again now that we share a spot on the same DT. I've missed you! HUGS from OHIO!
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