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ELMER
POPE
Guest
Writer |
Smoke Signals
Sep./Oct. '10
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This is a little late for the North
American Frontiersmen, but appropriate for acquiring accurate information of
life styles, clothing and wares used for the period.
This would be the case when your working
on your persona and how you would like to appear and have the correct items in
your equipment carried. This is not that hard a job to gather such information,
look at pictures of the time period you like and are interested in. Start a
"want-list" showing reference to pictures as well as article read of
interest. By doing this a week or so into the research you'll have notes as to
where you got the information as well as building a cross-reference for getting
to what really appeals to your mind set.
Believe me we have all been in the same situation
when first getting started.
- Then there's Buck, he has changed
time periods, clothing, weapons and wares as much as anyone. Probably more
than most with having been in the business dealing with such goods and
seeing the latest things available (meaning in his case usually costly $$$)
most wouldn't or couldn't spend the funds to purchase some of his wares.
That's a private slap on the head. Hehehehe
Please continue on with viewing these old
photos and you will see what I'm rambling on about, pay attention to the detail
of the clothing, the items being used and there where-a-bouts. A good practice
lesson for all the will take the time to study. For the fun of it - make a
list as to your findings.
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Rare
original, 1890's, Large Format, Albumen Card Mount
Photograph of a campsite in the Black Hills of South
Dakota with 4 young men (possibly prospectors). This
outstanding original card mount photo measures approx. 9
1/2" x 7 3/4" and is mounted on its original
card mount (overall size is 12" x 10"). |
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The image pictures
four young men and their campsite. A pencil
identification on the reverse reads "Black Hills
1895". There is no other identification on the
photograph (no photographer's mark is present) but the
Image came to us with 3 other South Dakota Card Mount
Photographs and we believe that the identification is
accurate. |
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The
Photograph itself is clean and crisp and exhibits sharp
focus, strong contrast and rich tonality. The card mount
has some light soiling, a chip at the upper right hand
corner and a bit of edge wear. |
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In
the Image we see the men's tent, their buckboard and
various food containers and implements including a
shovel, axe and cookware. One of the men appears to be
reading a pamphlet and another holds a large
"Bowie" type knife. |
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In
the first image what did you find? |
wagon,
wedge tent, pots, pans, can goods, are all pretty easy
to see.
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In
the second image ? |
late
1800's clothing (according to written information 1895),
neck ties, Eastern style hat as well as working styles
worn, suspenders, long sleeves, demin and canvas pants,
all clean shaven with short hair.
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In
the third image ? |
the
young man standing has on long under wear, the gentleman
sitting has on low cut shoes, they are selling crackers.
The use of a towel, reading material, a bottle of
ketchup, other food containers. You should be getting
the idea by now as your list grows off of a few photos.
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In
the fourth image ? |
the
last photo shows one using a bowie knife, the caption
mentions a shovel (its leaning against the buckboard -
image 2 and 3) and an axe?
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Buck
had asked me if I would provide him with an article to get some
folks thinking. Now what the heck kind of a thing is that to ask
an old friend, putting me on the spot.
And believe
if I didn't give it a shot you would read about it in the Editor's
column. He loves nothing better than "burning an old
friend" be aware Mr. Cunningham.
I remain, Yr Svt.
Elmer
Pope
I'm the original Elmer (damnit).
 
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