The Orkney Image Library
No: 27152 Contributor: Ian Hourston Year: 1913
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A Carte de Visite from about 1913. The woman on the left, in high-lacing boots, is Maggie Smith - no, not the Dame - Maggie May (Meg) Smith, my mother. Don't know the other one, or the photographer's name, or the location.
Picture added on 28 May 2013 at 16:00
Bonnie lasses. I wonder what the hooks were for? Must have been something to do with the greenhouse, I think. Maybe we should all start writing on the backs of photos, times, where, when etc.
Added by Donnie Borwick on 29 May 2013
Yes, Donnie, if only we all captioned our photos properly at the time!
To me, the hook and ropes suggest the photographer had read somewhere that props were the thing for 'people' pics, and he used whatever was lying around, appropriate or otherwise. The tatty bit of trellis, or whatever it is, doesn't add much either.
My Mum and her two sisters were all very easy on the eye. (In fact this photo is rather unflattering. Maybe I'll find a better one.) Mum's only brother was a nice-looking man but no Adonis.
To me, the hook and ropes suggest the photographer had read somewhere that props were the thing for 'people' pics, and he used whatever was lying around, appropriate or otherwise. The tatty bit of trellis, or whatever it is, doesn't add much either.
My Mum and her two sisters were all very easy on the eye. (In fact this photo is rather unflattering. Maybe I'll find a better one.) Mum's only brother was a nice-looking man but no Adonis.
Added by Ian Hourston on 30 May 2013
Ian are you sure these lasses weren't in uniform? Guides or Girls Brigade possibly as the skirts look similar though one is slightly longer and the bow on the blouse appears very similar - perhaps the "rope work" might have been a project in a place like Stromness with strong seafaring connections.
Added by Willie Mackay on 07 June 2013
I can't be very imaginative Willie - I hadn't considered the possibility of the near-identical garb being 'a uniform' as such. But now you mention it . . .
Mother never talked of belonging to any uniformed organisation as far as I can recall, so I can't add anything useful.
Mother never talked of belonging to any uniformed organisation as far as I can recall, so I can't add anything useful.
Added by Ian Hourston on 10 June 2013
People
