This is a real photo postcard from The Kregel Photo Parlors of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota. It pictures a man and a woman in a hot air balloon studio prop. The balloon appears to be painted on a backdrop with a cutout for the subjects to be photographed.
The man is probably Massie Edgell, though I am not sure how to interpret the information written on the back. Massie Edgell was listed as a head of household in the 1920 census. At that time he lived in Minneapolis and was 32 years old. He was born in Indiana and had a wife named Inga who was born in Norway.
Visit Sepia Saturday
For More Vintage Images
Ha ha, they look rather nervous and not very relaxed, as they would be in the real thing! It's not a very realistic prop, and the wording is odd, as you say.
ReplyDeleteA great choice for the theme. I think the balloon is supposed to be an early sausage shaped blimp with propeller and steering vane. The back looks like instructions for the photographer's darkroom assistant.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering about the shape, but I had never heard of that kind of blimp.
DeleteA great match for the theme. I went through box after box of old postcards looking for something like this - all to no avail.
ReplyDeleteKnife # 11? Make Good?
ReplyDeleteYes strange things to be written on the back of a card!
I've seen plenty of ridiculous backdrops from old photographic studios, but this one is priceless! Great post!
ReplyDeleteSo cute, but the couple does not seem happy to be in the picture!!!
ReplyDeleteI think this is one of the best postcards that you have shown us.
ReplyDeleteThey don't look very happy to be up in the air. A good match!
ReplyDeleteThe safest form of air travel!
ReplyDelete