Historic Hood River
Teaser
Notes
I have a special affection for interior views, especially if they have some everyday decorations visible. I think you can get some real insight into people, time and place by seeing into their homes. This cyanotype is from a collection of Gladys Reavis’ postcards, and shows two overlapping views of an interior chock full of objects (knickknacks?), circa 1907. I wish we could get more resolution from this, but unfortunately cyanotypes make a relatively low resolution print compared with more traditional silver based photography. It is a direct tradeoff between cost and resolution. What you see is what I see.
So what do you think we are looking at? Beer cans? Candles? Teacups?
A quick note if you have any cyanotypes in your family album: they are extremely light sensitive, and will fade quickly under light. They should be stored in the dark at all times or they will fade away.
starboard
Ok, so nobody is chiming in, I’ll bite. Any chance this is some kind of druggist or apothecary or herbal medicine shop? I agree they look like tea cups, and the piano might take some explaining, but that sure looks like a butcher paper roll and cutter on the counter. And possibly a scale? And a rather commercial looking sign?
Arthur Babitz
I can see the scale, but didn’t see the roll of butcher paper until you pointed it out. Not 100% clear, but it could be. I like the herbalist interpretation. Now I will have to study the Gladys Reavis collection to see if there is anything to confirm this guess.
L. E.
I didn’t comment because I can’t see anything.
But, I am wondering if the objects hanging above the scale are counterweights?
Gladys Reavis’s father T. A. Reavis was a druggist. When he moved to Hood River he became an orchardist and then the postmaster.
According to some news clippings, Gladys was musical.
Maybe, before he became postmaster, Thomas Reavis still measured out drugs, while Gladys played the piano.
There is a good biography of Mr. Reavis on Find A Grave.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/54336764/thomas-albert-reavis
nels
Good sleuthing starboard and L.E.
With L.E.’s family history it all fits together.