[AMERICANA] [NATURAL BRIDGE] SNAPSHOTS ALBUM, 1926

5 ¾” x 7 3/8” x 3/8” black imitation leather album with black title on front cover, “SnapShots”. Top and bottom front edges of spine wearing away; surfaces on front and back somewhat worn; stapled pages intact but separated from binding; paper torn behind photos one page. Makers mark inside back cover reads, “Est. HORN 1846 No.5005 – Made in U.S.A.” 10 leaves with 24 photos and 1 postcard of the Natural Bridge, Virginia. The postcard is postmarked 1926, from a Wilma to a Miss Evelyn Savage, saying “Wish you were up here”.~ ~Although the photos do not depict the famous Bridge, being pasted into the same album implies their association to the location in the postcard. Nearly all were taken in a few locations – in front of some cabins at a camp, on a wooden bridge, and at a stone fountain. The subjects appear to be a few dozen young men and women posing in groups, singly, and in pairs or trios. They all appear quite fashionable, with eye-catching knee length socks nearly ubiquitous. ~~Whatever the occasion, they went to the Natural Bridge at an interesting time in its history, just before it became an even more popular and accessible tourist attraction than it already was. In 1927 it was first illuminated at night, and beginning in the 1930s improvements to the highway system increased ease of access. Few of the buildings that existed in the Natural Bridge resort area still stand; the location of this group vacation is likely to remain as mysterious as the identity of the sitters. ~.

Item #297884

Price: $95.00