Turn it over! There's Something on the Back! - January 2014

Very often, notations on the reverse of these found photographs are obscure or too brief or illegible. Most often there is nothing at all.

But now and then there is a message from the past that sparkles.

Back in March of 2009 LOST GALLERY had a full page of photographs and their very interesting reverse sides. There have been many new additions to the collection since then.

Here is a new group of those photographs with mysterious, funny and sometimes puzzling reverse sides; tiny bits of history, reaching out to us over the decades and sometimes centuries.

On reverse:
Welderood 1918
(or maybe Weederood)

On reverse:
Rye
1932

On Reverse
Rye
Aug 1938

This little photobooth portrait was clamped in a metal frame with a place to write some information on the reverse

This one was done the same way and unfortunately, it rusted. The backing also features a pop out eyelet to facilitate hanging or an easel back. (pat. pending)

On front Yours Ceortily J. B. C ale
On reverse:
Born Nov 6 - 1858 in Sullivan County
Tennessee, Ordained to preacher Nov 1882.
Came to Tex. 1883. Have preached 27 years.
Pecame pastor at Pecos, Tex. Nov 23-1907
Years in the service, sacrifice and
love of Jesus. Lovingly. J. B. Cale
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
With every good wish

On Reverse:
Oct 30
Dear Sister-
Am at
work again I
arrived there
Tuesday morning.
Everybody sends U
their regards to you
Bro Tom
Mrs. J F. Shrive
Bridgeport
Ills
(Postmarked Nov. 1, 1912

On reverse:
Papa at his
office in back
foom at Ector
Bank

(Ector County Bank is in Texas just south of where this photograph was found.)

Tulsa March 18th 1911
Here is that card you have
been longing for this is
my Boy that works with
me he is aLittle fellow
Write soon and rub this
writing off from dad

On reverse
Taken
Oct - 1924
on Wilson Lane

On reverse
January 1927
"Sonny" age 4 mos.
Lyle

( Transcribed this the best I could not knowing the language OR the handwriting.)
On Reverse:
Lavinia New Mexico
Sept 5, 1915
Querido primo receve
su card por laque tune
gusto al sover que estan
buenos Gaguios a Dios
despues de saludarco
ledire que agui nohay
mas de nuevo gue mucha
solas mi popa y los mea
trills juntado las soca
no le fabia contestada
por falta de que no habia
habido quien hubiera
ids a la plaza ahora
le estory escribienda may
tepriza, dispense lo mal
esorito, y equigocos saludes
a todos los que so acellerden
de mi y nd reciba mis mas
grandes reasuerd os bin
mas mor esta olg su prima
Victoriana Eandios

On reverse
This has been
made recently.
The boy is Rollins
baby brother

On reverse
Christmas Dinner
about 1911 - Bro Charley was
with us.

Written on the front:
City Park, Roswell, N. Mex
July 1944
Esther & Joyce - Christine & Jewel

On reverse:
I have Joyce (I think)
Christine has Jewel.
Taken in City Park
Roswell, N. Mex.
July -1944

Go back to THE MAIN INDEX PAGE

There are now more than 4,000 photographs in the Lost Gallery.
Or try out the NEW BACK PAGE INDEX

The most popular photographs An album of the most requested photographs in the Lost Gallery.

Area 51 and a Half You are probably not authorized to see these.

Don't take my picture! Oh! You DID didn't you! This is a collection of photographs that disappear on the way home from the photo processing shop.

And don't miss
Cabinet Card Gallery
One Man's Treasure
Penny Tales
Square America
Tattered and Lost
Vernacular Photography
The best
FOUND PHOTOGRAPH
sites on the web.

And for postcards try
THE DAILY POSTCARD.
POSTCARDY

All images are the property of Lost Gallery and the author. Permission must be granted for their use. All rights reserved.

THE KIDS It is always a mystery how a photograph of any of these precious children could end up lost or abandoned. Here are a few. You will probably say "Ooh..." at least once.

Dee and the Business School
The beautiful Dee. A curious story; What do you see?

WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?

"What are they doing?"