Sepia Saturday #114

The theme for this week is Shoes and the prompt photograph shows some ladies trying on shoes.
However, what I was reminded of was my forays with my mother into Filene's basement in Boston, as it once was.

I knew it in the 1960's and 1970's, but the Basement (which really was in the basement) had a long history before that.  Filene's was a chain of department stores in New England with their flagship store in downtown Boston.  Items that were past season, clearance, shopworn, or had a slight flaw would be sent from the main sales departments to the Basement.  You could find some real deals there.

Shoppers could get very intent and intense.  This photo, from a web page about the history of Filene's basement, reminded me of the prompt.  No shoes in sight, but ladies in hats indeed.

I'm joining up with Sepia Saturday!

Viridian


Tweet

Peek into Boston, 1949

One of the postcard blogs I follow pointed out that in the past, people sent postcards the way we send instant messages or twitter updates. (I wish I could remember which blog - I would link to you.) The heyday of sending postcards - lots of postcards - was early in the 1900's, but here is an example from October 25, 1949:

to Arthur Knowlton, Farmington, Maine.

"We are at the station in Boston & have had some coffe. [sic] Now we are going to get a taxi and go to the hotel. Love, Irma."

Would that fit into a tweet? I don't use twitter so I know there's a limit on characters, but not what the limit is.

Irma (who is traveling with her?) could be writing from either North Station or South Station in Boston. If she was writing home, then it would be North Station. The Mass. Highway Dept. has a great photo taken within months of her postcard. Think of the haze and dirt from the coal-fired steam locomotives.

Did I mention I love Google, and finding information and images so easily?

Ken Brown Week

Seeing postcards like these displayed around Boston in the early 1980's made me sit up and notice postcards as postcards, as a collectible. Ken Brown, based on Inman St., Cambridge Mass. is the artist.
This is the beginning of my postcard collection. Ken Brown is alive and thriving - check out his homepage. I never knew how much he has created. I am very attached to my B&W collection and have never used them.
viridian61