This week’s Sepia Saturday prompt depicts a group of Korean women playing the game of Go. Immediately this picture came to mind:
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| Violetta Davis is the first woman on the left, back row. Velma is on the right, front row. |
My grand aunts Violetta and Velma SUPPOSEDLY are playing cards with their friends on New Year’s Day 1923. But REALLY? What kind of card game requires its players to sit side by side in rows? I believe this picture is purely staged. For what purpose, I have no clue except to speculate that they thought that an action shot was preferable to smiling and saying “Cheese.”
I also wonder how they’re all outside without benefit of wool coats on New Year’s Day. Was Shenandoah, Virginia enjoying a heat wave in 1923? Typically this part of the state gets snow when no one else does, so sitting on cold porch steps playing a casual game of cards seems like an unlikely thing to do.
And look – here’s another one of these phony balony photos of people playing cards. It’s still 1923, and these girls are apparently sitting on the top step of a set of stairs leading to a basement or steep backyard.
Yeah, you never know when or where the mood to play cards will strike.
I think Violetta and Velma are playing a game with ME!
I think Violetta and Velma are playing a game with ME!
If you’re game, head on over to Sepia Saturday and see if everyone is playing by the rules. Play nice.
©2014, Wendy
Mathias. All rights reserved.
Always Carry A Deck Of Cards! Just In Case..........
ReplyDeleteI can sort of understand the first photo, but not the second. Maybe they wanted a photo of themselves playing cards, but there wasn't enough light inside so they went outside.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever seen anyone playing cards outside - unless you count cigarette cards.
ReplyDeleteQuite an interesting setup and game, as they are looking into each others cards! Generally people play cards inside at a card table. Anyway very interesting!
ReplyDeleteMaybe they are doing magic tricks. Bob, we used to play cards outside on a picnic table. we also used to play cards on the basement stairs but never in lines like these young folks are.
ReplyDeleteGreat family photos. I can understand the two girls sitting on the steps, may be a nice day and some one snapped their picture. I use to sit in the strangest places reading in my youth. The first picture has to be staged. thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it was some weird kind of card game where you sit in a line and then pass cards to one another.
ReplyDeleteThe one that ends up with the most cards wins.
No you're probably right. The photo was staged.
Nancy
Of course, you just never know when you may need a deck of cards! Is it Velma on the right in the last photo? I just really adore her hair cut....it's rather the fad right now too....well sort of...nice post...Your sepia photos are really rich in color looking!
ReplyDeleteKaren, I don't know either girl in the 2nd photo, but yes, that hairdo has made a comeback.
DeleteWendy, you are cracking me up with your doubting Thomas attitude about these card players, lol. I love this whole post.
DeleteHappy Sepia Saturday!
Kathy M.
You have cornered the market in photos of outdoor card games:-) The first is a curious they seem to be showing and swapping but whatever it is they look to be having fun.
ReplyDeleteCard games, but not as we know it. :)
ReplyDeleteYes in the first photo they are looking at each others hands. Maybe they are playing some kind of swap game. Whatever they are just perfect for this SS.
ReplyDeleteQMM
They look like they're exchanging cards - and I wonder what the young lad on the left is doing? I think you're right, Wendy - they're playing with you :-) Jo
ReplyDeleteThose are a bunch of cousins aren't they? Don't we have pictures of the girl sitting across from Velma?
ReplyDeleteI know that the girl next to Violetta is Leota Sullivan (cousin), but I don't know the others. The girl sitting next to Velma is Somebody Bennett, I think.
DeleteLike Bob, my first thoughts turned to swapping cigarette cards, but there's something oddly staged about it, you're right.
ReplyDeleteVery nice photos. I guess they would laugh knowing people would speculate about the cards nearly 100 years later ...
ReplyDeleteSomehow, I feel the staged photograph depicted a morning after, according to the state of their hair.....
ReplyDeleteSome slept, some, not so much...
:D~
HUGZ
A clever set of snapshots, even if staged. Card games and cameras don't often mix at the same time.
ReplyDeleteThese are very interestingly stage photos but they fit the theme so well! I wonder what the story was behind the pictures?
ReplyDelete