Historic Hood River
When Am I?
3-25-2013
Notes
The Abstens couldn’t resist a trip to the studio of “Cal Calvert, 10 minute postcard man” when they were visiting Portland. Cal produced this attractive portrait of Alma Absten, Francis Schlegel, Julie Absten Schlegel, Helen Absten and Homer Absten– hopefully in the advertised time frame. Before you start the genealogy search, this week’s mystery is to guess the year of the photo. I’m told a good photo archivist can guess the year of an image based solely on the clothing, so post your guess before you start exercising the search engines.
charlott
I am thinking sometime between 1912 and 1915 I find the lady with the watch interesting. That looks like more of a sock than a glove, and that watch is way up her arm. Wonder why? Do enjoy seeing family portraits such of this.
I know this must have been the family of "Sim" Absten who lived in my childhood on Ruthton hill with he wife Juliet and daughter Alice.
l.e.
I really enjoy seeing photos like this.
Just a way to study and remember the early residents of HR.
Although old wallpaper patterns sometimes drives me nuts.
I know nothing about dating clothing but I’m guessing the gloves, the hats, the purse and the ladies’ tie could all help with the date.
Lots of clues to investigate.
I do know the child could be either a boy or girl. Not uncommon for boys to wear dresses up to the age of two.
My husband’s grandmother worked as a milliner in Portland around 1910 and she made hats like these.
l.e.
The Lewis and Clark Expo was in 1905. I wonder if it was common for HR families to have their photo taken then.
db
I agree, that looks like a black sock. You can see the heel above her wrist. I wonder if she had some skin condition and had goop all over her arm. But since it is so proudly displayed, front and center as it were, perhaps it is some sort of family joke. My grandmother wore similar skirts and blouses around 1906 when she was teaching school.
charlott
This had to have been taken prior to 1918 as that is when Homer Absten died. He had a sister that lived in Portland and that is probably when they had the photo taken.
The man Cal Calbert had this post card studio in Portland from 1906 until 1930. His name was charles E. "Cal" Calvert. He also had one of these type studios in Oregon City from 1915-1925.
l.e.
Arthur…..I have enjoyed looking at some old clothing.
This site has some history and the 1912 gentleman is wearing a suit very similar to Homer’s.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1910s_in_Western_fashion
I think the ladies have a touch of the Gibson girl look with the tucks at the shoulder and the slender waist. But, I think these ladies are a little later with more of a 1914 look.
My husband’s grandmother was married 1911 and she was quite proud of her tiny corseted waist.
I think Charlott is pretty close in her time estimate. I’m going to guess 1912 to 1914.
Jeffrey Bryant
Here comes the genealogy search:
Alma Absten, b. 3 May 1891
William Francis Schlegel, b. 28 Feb 1912
Lulu Absten Schlegel, b. 30 Jul 1883
Helen Absten, b. Jul 1886
Homer Absten, b. 5 Mar 1893
It looks like the photo was taken around 1913.
l.e.
I am questioning the name Julie Absten Schlegel.
Unless she changed her name, Lulu Columbia Absten is the oldest daughter who married William Schlegel and had a child Francis Schlegel.
The wife of Sylvan Absten was named Julie.
Judy
Watch or bracelet?
l.e.
I wonder how Homer died.
I can’t find anything about him.
I wonder if it was the flu.
charlott
Sylvan "Sim" Absten’s wife was Juliette (Crimp) Absten. Knew the family very well.
Arthur
The date on the photo postcard is 1912, good work. Also, the third name must be "Lulu" instead of "Julie". It’s handwritten and is really just a squiggle followed by enough bumps for either interpretation. You’d be surprised at the percentage of notes on these photos that are completely illegible.
barbara parsons bernstein
Oh Charlott, did you read "Mrs. Wiggs and the Cabbage Patch" in elementary school. The family was so poor they didn’t have formal gloves for all the kids, so when some socially important lady invited them to a big tea, the mother said, "No matter! Everybody wear one glove and carry one black sock, and who’ll be the wiser?" Maybe the Abstens blew their whole fortune on their shoes, so they had to let the gloves go.
charlott
Barbara you are a riot, as always. No I never read that book. Guess when I get to my "second childhood" I shall have to look it up. I have to laugh at the reference to the cabbage patch. I was trying to get my daughter to bed when she was about 3 and she wasn’t going to have any of it. Every question or need she could come up with. Finally, she asked me "where did you find Dad?" I told her in the garden under a cabbage plant. Should have stopped there, but wondered what type of a reaction I could get her. So I said, "what would you do if you found a man under a cabbage plant. She said, "well, I am dumb, but I am not stupid, I would run out of the cabbage patch. Think she takes after her witty father……