Putting Names and Locations On Old Photographs Is Worth The Effort Of Identification

The goalie is wearing a Bears sweater from Bracebridge but we aren't sure about the "Cubs". We have a hunch the picture was taken at the old Port Carling arena.

A photo from the 1930's of friends of Rev. Joseph Ewing Reid but not taken in Muskoka.

A photograph of Maude Reid and her daughter, Mary at their Browning Island cottage on Lake Muskoka.

WE HAD THOUSANDS OF OLD PHOTOGRAPHS SUBMITTED TO THE NEWSPAPER FOR PUBLICATION

SOME OF THEM WERE REMARKABLE FOR WHAT THEY SHOWED, THAT WE DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT OTHERWISE

     There wasn't a week that went by, when I worked for Muskoka Publications, and The Bracebridge Herald-Gazette, that we didn't get submissions of old photographs from citizens of the town and region. We used to publish a large number of these vintage images, to go with regular features, and because we used to run them on the inside pages, for the owners, to see if any readers might be able to identify those people shown in group photos, from fraternal organizations, to school photos, hockey and lacrosse club pictures, to overviews of barn building bees, church construction, funeral processions and events held during the annual Bracebridge Fall Fair, held back then, at Jubilee Park. We were pretty fortunate, because a majority of our readers in the late 1970's, and early 80's, were the kin of community founders, some having intimate knowledge of the photos, and the circumstances, as to why they were snapped by a mix of professionals and hobbyists; trying to capture the highlight moments of town accomplishments. We often got, in return, the names of those in the pictures, or at least some of the citizens, and information on the community event featured; whether a hockey game, trophy presentation, or special parade that didn't involve Christmas celebrations. Unfortunately, it is harder to have these photographs identified today, as they were back then, because most of those citizens, who had this knowledge, and experience, have since passed away. There are fewer citizens today, who know much about the town's history, and aren't particularly concerned about old photographs and whether they're preserved or not, let alone properly identified. Which means, they are the most likely, to toss these historically sensitive and important antique images into the trash; items they may have been handed as inheritance from parents and grand-parents, some dating back to the founding of Bracebridge in the late 1850's. What is conserved of photographic images today, even with our best efforts, is only a tiny wee fraction of what was available; and may still be stuffed in attics and cupboards today, by those who don't know what to do with them in the contemporary sense.
     Here's the problem, that has existed for all the years that these antiquated images have been considered expendable. Most public libraries and community heritage committees, and the archives they may be responsible for, have limited space and resources available to handle the thousands of heritage papers and photographs folks might be willing to donate. Most of these owners would love the idea of donating these heritage relics, belonging to their own family chronologies, pleased to know there would be something gained for the community and region, in possessing and displaying them for public consumption. The space limitations and shortage of climate controlled storage facilities, suited to the safe-housing and conservation of paper heritage, is by itself, preventing citizens from making large donations of these heirloom collections, which could greatly enhance the work of local historians. I know by experience, how executors of estates have handled these collections in the past, and it makes me nauseous to think about it now. Garbage bins lined up outside the house, to accept the trash. That's what it has come down to, in the final clear-outs of these family estates and businesses, where a death has necessitated closing up operations, and homesteads, creating a bulk of materials no one wishes to claim, having little or no value. Add to this, the fact, that many vintage photographs, and heritage paper items, only have historical value to folks like us, but have very little value when it comes to resale in the antique profession. Thus, if an executor, or a benefactor of an inheritance, was to approach an antique dealer, in an attempt to sell these collections, large or small, unless there are key pieces, with vintage advertising for example, such as pictures of general stores, with visible advertising of "Coca Cola" or, in this location of Ontario, steamship, hotel, (resort) or boatworks advertising, or points of reference (like a hotel or navigation company office), valuations will most like by done by the pound or skid-load. But as I explained in yesterday's blog, that you can archive back to read, it takes an historian, more so than an antique dealer, to pick out what has historical implications that may not be obvious to anyone else. This is not a cheap shot at antique dealers, for not knowing their local history, because I am one, and an historian at the same time. We have antique dealers who contact us regularly, because of a photo, or paper collection, they've purchased, wishing for us to take a gander, to see if there is anything of local heritage significance we might be interested in acquiring, before it's offered in their shops or antique mall booths. We really appreciate this kind of opportunity, and we will make purchases of those items we feel are important to the enhancement of local knowledge, for the historians in the coming generations; and we are always willing to share with local heritage groups when we come upon something they can benefit from.
     It is always better to enquire first, before turfing what may be an historical jewel, that will help historians better understand the periods of our own history; which by the way, is like a million piece puzzle, still missing nine hundred thousand pieces. Yes, it is that kind of shortfall, in part, because so much heritage, in the visual sense, of photographs, has been disposed of without the least consideration to its importance to our home towns. I detest it when someone comes into our shop, and sees some of the old regional and town photos on display, and admits to just having thrown out four or five boxes of old photographs, thinking that no one would be interested in them. I want to scold them amongst other things, but I suppose it's the case, they simply didn't know that I would accept them by the box load, and be the curator of the collection, to forward them to the appropriate museums and town archives after sorting. Museums and archives just can't always handled the large quantity, but are willing to accept smaller submissions, that are perfectly related to their specialties and resource interests. I used to play hockey and golf, for recreational adventure. Although not nearly as physically beneficial, and they can be kind of smelly, I love to immerse myself in these newfound, donated collections, because historical discovery is always an adventure to me, and to Suzanne, a former school librarian and history teacher. We've spent some of our most memorable moments as a couple, up to our necks in old paper and vintage photographs, questing for the next big heritage find, that in some way, will finally set the record straight as far as what it was like here, way, way back. Old general photos don't lie. They reveal history honestly and without prejudice, and on many occasions, debunk what historians have been claiming, in print, for decades.
     Not all old photographs are valuable in either the monetary sense, or their heritage integrity. Most are just interesting old photographs of people, places and things. They have a relevance as nice images from a bygone era. In context however, of a large collection, they do tell a story, and one that may be of critical importance to struggling family historians, for example, trying to piece together related chronicles; to fill out the branches of family trees they've been hired to foliate with names. You'd be surprised to know just how many resources we can go through, in this quest of knowledge; some answers possibly being kept in those boxes stuff into your attic, basement, hall cupboard, or stashed in the cubby hole beneath the stairs.
     If you know of someone facing the unenviable conundrum of having a large photo collection, or vast amount of heritage documents that no one else wants, to buy, or as a donation, you can always contact us through this blog, or the Curries Antiques facebook page for free advice, or as the collection's rescuer. Let us help out so that we can lessen the losses of heritage items in the future.
     We are certainly interested in purchasing large collections as well, but the value depends on content, and not on the age of the items included. Victorian family photographs are worth pennies, unless the photographer and the studio happens to be of interest to collectors and museums with a particular zeal for an artist, such as Muskoka's Micklethwaite, who operated a travelling photo studio, which was simply an enclosed wooden cart, that could be both his (and his assistant's) mobile home and dark room, pulled by a horse across the region.There are photographers to watch-out for, because they have a relevance to Canadian history, such as Notman Studios, in Montreal. We're glad to help owners of these collections identify and evaluate what is in their possession, of either monetary value or historic significance. Just don't throw them out!
     More on vintage photographs in tomorrow blog.