'Tis the Season

I have always loved this family photograph, although I cannot say for certain who these people are.  They are my Grandma Clara Abbott's family, almost certainly Livingstons, and the fellow dead center in the tobaggon bears a close resemblance to my Gr-great grandfather Walter Livingston who was boss of a coal yard in Newburgh, New York in the 1890s.  With those thick mechanic's mustaches it is hard to distinguish one from the other.

The expressions on these dapper downhill dare-devils are priceless - the two gentlemen on the two seater sled seem particularly droll. The assortment of late 19th century hats and outerwear suggests a Sunday outing.   In fact, this may be one of the earliest examples of that stalwart Christmas tradition, the posed family photograph.  Whoever they are, I hope they enjoyed the end of their run as much as they appear to have enjoyed mugging for the camera at mid-slope.

These three urchins are my Great Grandfather William Livingston (at right) and his younger brothers Frank (at left) and Clarence.  The photographer's studio reproduced a winter setting for this photograph: a badly scratched tintype from the late 1880s. I actually repaired some of the damage digitally - otherwise Uncle Frank's face would have been pocked beyond recognition. 

Winter's monochrome palette lends itself to the medium of early photography.  There is a sweetness in the image of these little boys, solemnly bundled up in a faux winter wonderland. One hopes they will partake in the gaiety of the overdressed sledding party when they step outside the studio and that it is not blistering summer instead.

Comments

[Aydin]

The sled picture looks like a chase scene from a Keystone movie. In the next scene they will be buried in snow with only their shoes sticking up.

[GreenmanTim]

I prefer a silk topper, myself. Goes with my fondness for 19th century facial hair fashion. Would that my handlebars drooped so majestically!

[Genevieve]

What great old photos! I enjoyed seeing them. It would have been fun to meet these folk.

[Charlottesvillain]

Those are inspiring photos. I need to get myself a derby hat for sledding season! (Assuming it ever snows again).