The wonderfully imperfect world of old photos


I just love looking at old photos, especially the ones that feel as if I could step into them, like this one I just found on the Duke University  website. There's so much to see, and what I like best is the dents and scratches on the cars.

OK, calm down there, I'm not fascinated by dents and scratches, but I do like to time-travel to a world that has imperfections. If I woke up tomorrow and walked into a street scene that was absolutely pristine, like what you usually see in period movies, I'd figure that I'd woken up on the Universal backlot, or hadn't woken up at all.

This photo, by the way, wasn't taken to show the cars, or the buildings, it was taken to show the billboards. It's how billboard companies could prove that the ads were up and visible. And if that's what catches your attention, I understand, but I'm looking at the cars. And since I've only seen cars like this in movies, or at car shows, I'm fascinated by the wrinkled fenders, and the scratches. This is real life, not something artificial. This is what it would look like to step into Trenton, New Jersey, at State and Broad Streets, in 1935.

When I do go to car shows, and see cars of this vintage, I like to smell the interior. Yes, of course I don't touch them (I hold my hands behind my back) but if the windows are rolled down, and the car is very original inside, there's a distinctive smell. If you know what I mean, you're nodding your head right now.

And here's the billboard, advertising whiskey. Whiskey was pretty popular then, and it still is! I'm no expert on whiskey, but I'm skeptical about naming it "Golden Wedding". I'm sure they meant well, apparently it was America's finest blend, and had the mark of merit, your protection, your assurance of quality in liquor.

Thank you for time-traveling with me!



Image from the Duke University Library Digital Collections.

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