Antique German Script

Aunt Nellie treasured many things, including these sentimental letters from her mother's family in Germany.  Lovingly scripted in sepia ink during the mid-1800s, they now make their way around the world once again for use in your artwork.

1910 Farm Scene

This distinguished gentleman is my great-grandfather, Charles Lyman Whalen, taken on the Minich family farm in Carlisle, IN circa 1910.  I love the textures in this photo, especially the sheep's curly locks and the ruggedness of the barn boards.  "Pete" always dressed up, even when on the farm.

Ephemera

Can you imagine your realtor handing you a coupon that would entitle you to a $5 discount upon purchase of a house or plot of land? And, imagine the joy of being able to blot out those "Mis-fit Shirt" memories once and for all!

The Little Gardener

In this photo is my grandmother Virginia's Uncle Joe, Joseph Russell Irons. Isn't he sweet with those long curls, pushing his tiny wheelbarrow? For artwork using this photo, click here.

1918 Waterfront Pass

Grandmother Virginia's Uncle Joe, pictured on his 1918 Port of Buffalo waterfront pass. Has that Prohibition / "Untouchables" feel to it, doesn't it?

Tintype & Digital Collage

For this digital collage, I used the above tintype, an Ambrotype frame, and cherub head clipart.

1918 Report Card

My grandfather's high school report card. He later became a physician and served in WWII.

1865 Promissory Note

1792 Farm Sale Document

In Allegheny County, PA in the year 1792, the grand sum of one hundred and twenty pounds was enough to buy a farm, including: four cows, three calves, two bay horses, seven sheep, two sows, twelve shotes, three feather beds and bedding, furniture, and the crops in and out of the ground. Back then, they were setting their "seals" to documents, just as we do today - note the hand-drawn "seal" in the lower right-hand corner.

Welcome to my new blog!

For my first post, I'd like to share one of my favorite tintypes. The original is unusually large, and the photo looks as if it was taken in a barn. I'm still researching to identify this lovely family, but believe they are McEwens or Stewarts. These fine folks make me smile; I'll bet they never imagined they would one day be touring the world on a blog banner!

(updated post 8/11 : replaced with lightened photo to aid in printing)