Tuesday, April 6, 2010

One Woman's Photos~ A Glimpse of a Life

Last weekend I bought a file box of photos at an Estate Sale based on looking at a few envelopes of pictures near the top of the box. The pictures looked interesting enough to take a chance on buying the whole lot.


But, until I started looking closely, I didn't realize how interesting.

The photos were all taken by the same woman photographer named Lillian Epsberg Goodman ~ who photographed her life through the 1940's.

Included are college photos from Virginia, hiking, camping, swimming, biking, archery, and her time in Texas during the war in a Cavalry Division~ riding horses and flying a Ryan Trainer.














Look at those wonderful pack baskets being used for carrying lunch!




Below is our photographer in 1939 while she was probably still in high school.




She used a high quality camera. She had a very good eye, and the pictures are in excellent condition.

The clothes, boats, cottages, horses, food, accessories are all fabulous. And as a group they give a really interesting glimpse of life of one woman with her friends and companions.

I am going to scan more of my favorites to share before I bring them to the show. I love that they were all photographed by one person~ a woman~ and that the pictures neatly span a 10 year period of her fascinating life.

EDITED TO ADD: As of now, Thursday morning, I may be on the track of her family. She seems to still be alive, and I am seeing she and/or her family might want her pictures back. So the pictures will not be for sale until I know.

Further Update: Lillian does not seem to have been our photographer. i talked with her son In Memphis. I am sending him the pictures that I can identify as his mom. I emailed a WASP historian, and am waiting to hear back about who our photographer might have been and where the photographs might be wanted. I will let you know.


42 comments:

  1. That is just so cool. I love old pictures and for some reason my grandparents seem to have very few (or for some reason I've never seen them if they do have some.) It's just so neat to look at old photos and really be transported back in time.

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  2. The pictures are great! Very professional. There is a huge market out there for this sort of thing...making collages, etc. Good luck with your show!

    xoxo
    Jane

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  3. Oh my you hit gold! Love the photos! I always buy out black and whites and have found some neat ones, but those look extraordinary! Might have to come this weekend and look at your stash!
    Heidi

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  4. Lucky you to come across these wonderful photos! Sad though that they didn't fall into the hands of a relative. Thanks for sharing!

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  5. They are wonderful! What a find :-) I too love old photos and while some people can't understand (Hi, Mr. B!) my fascination, I will always look for photos first when I'm at an estate sale - great find:-)

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  6. Love these! I can't wait to see more! Theresa

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  7. Those are wonderful! So glad you are going to show us more!!

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  8. Those photos are just great. It would be so interesting to find out what happened to the photographer and her family.
    Can't wait to see some more!

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  9. These are outstanding. I wish someone related to her knew about them. I wish I could buy them.

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  10. What wonderful photos - such a lucky find. I love old photos - I too am wondering what happened to her and her family? Can't wait to see more.

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  11. What a great collection of vintage pictures. So much history there. Thanks for sharing this interesting blog today.

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  12. What a find! I love old photographs but it always saddens me when I find old photos at antique malls, etc. because it makes me wonder why and how the pictures ended up at a store. Did they not have family who wanted them....did they not have family? These are fabulous photographs that you bought at the estate sale. It's hard to believe no one in the family wanted them.
    Jane

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  13. Those are incredible!!!! LOVE the one of her in the plane...it would appear that she was her own person!! And in that time period that is remarkable - what a wonderful find!!!

    Good luck at the show - hoping the weather will be nice and the crowds buying...

    "Her" and Romeo

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  14. Another case of someone discarding some great history....I just shake my head! Lucky you for finding it!!! Have a great VTT!

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  15. Such a wonderful find. I just can't believe that people let such precious treasures go. I'm proud they have a home now.. Happy VTT,have a wonderful weekend.

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  16. Hi joan,
    These pictures are amazing...what a find! Happy Vintage Thursday!
    xojanis

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  17. Those are fabulous photos. Don't you wish her family was in their possession? I would LOVE to have photos like that of my ancestors. What a find!

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  18. What a beautiful collection - so sad her family doesn't have them...

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  19. Why can't I be closer?????
    I always am amzed & disgusted when at estate sales (you now the ones: parent dies, kids care less & hires that obnoxious company to clear out everything...) I discover old albums, etc. I always bring them home. My fav is early images up to the 40s. I wish I was nearby to bring some more family home.

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  20. Hey Joan I think I found her!!! I emailed you the particulars!!!

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  21. My goodness .. how fantastic.. I think I would buy the whole box!! Lucky there is an ocean between us.. xx Julie

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  22. I have never understood how someone can get rid of photos! Surely, this remarkable woman had some family somewhere! You have a great find!

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  23. Greetings! New to the blog world and was lucky enough to find your blog this morning.

    Pictures are a tid to small to tell if your lady was WW2 Army Air Force or what branch BUT what a find! And how fun to follow her life like that.

    I checked your new site to sell on, would love to buy one of your vintage wall paper Spool Jewelry Racks ...Awesome idea!

    Best Wishes and happy hunting and selling!
    Cindykay ...here is my blog so you can email about you rack http://hillschapelantiquestore.blogspot.com/

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  24. Beautiful box of photos. I love the one of her sitting in the airplane. Great find--I love old photos too.

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  25. Those pictures are priceless and how sad they aren't treasured and cherished by some family member. I'm curious to hear if you find just that person.

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  26. I love the photos and the Thursday morning update made me smile. You're a good egg Joan. :)

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  27. This is just so wonderful-both the photos themselves and the mystery that you are solving! Good luck and can't wait to see more pix.

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  28. I can't imagine that treasures like these photos could be sold at an estate sale. I hope you will be able to find a good home for them. Would love to see more of them, too!

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  29. I just love it that yu are tracking her down. Ive seen many photos at the flea and I always wonder what happened that someone's photos end up there. I'm sure they will be greatful to you.

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  30. Oh my gosh, I love the mystery of this post today. The woman in question is very pretty. I can't wait to hear more. Love the photos most of all.

    Thanks for the fun post today.
    Hugs, Jeanne

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  31. OH MY GOSH! I love this post. I love the photos! I am so glad you purchased the photos and not someone else...these are a really really neat find. Would love to come back and see the rest. I'm an antiquer so I'll have to remember to come back!

    ~Jillian
    BellaRosaAntiques.com

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  32. How interesting! Thanks for updating. Will come back and see what happens. Great photos, would be a true gift to the family.

    Dropping by from Inspired By. Hope you'll come see what has inspired me in Blog Land this week. Also, our giveaway ends Saturday night - be sure to swing by AtticMag to register, if you haven't already!

    Allison

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  33. what a fabulous find. I would be in picture heaven with those. Thank you so much for sharing!

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  34. Lucky! Antique photos are something I tend to jump on at estate sales, etc. ! I love them! Especially wedding and baby photos! I'm new to blogging and hope you'll check out my blog!

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  35. Wow! After reading your current post and knowing that you tracked down her family, I am so amazed! Do you know if there was some connection between her family and the estate sale family. I just am amazed by the investigations that people can do on the internet. I bet her family was surprised to hear from you. Great investigative work! laurie

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  36. What a great story and the pix are amazing. I'm sure that someone from her extended family would love to have them, I know I would if she were a relative of mine.
    ~Maggie~

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  37. I just did a post on the WASPS a couple weeks ago.
    These woman were so amazing. I had a relative of one of them comment and she added a link to a special scrapbook page.

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  38. Hello...

    Ohhh...what lovely photos and you're absolutely right...so very interesting! Much can be told of a life through photos...as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words! This lady led a very interesting life...for certain! How very nice that you are sending the photos to this woman's son...I'm sure he will treasure them!!! Best wishes on finding out more info on the talented photographer!!!

    Thank you so much for sharing this lovely post for Sunday Favorites!!!

    Warmest wishes,
    Chari @Happy To Design

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  39. Oh my! I just love these darling pictures! I use old photos everywhere in my fleamarket booths!If you get a chance check out my blog at http://shabbychictreasures.blogspot.com/ I am giving away a darling teapot for the month of April! Hugs, Olivia

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  40. This is such a true treasure to find. I am so happy that you are the one who found them--they deserved to cherished. I know her son is excited. I can't wait to hear the rest of the story!

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