A day at the shore
What it is:
Unused real photo post card measuring just under 3.5 x 5.5 inches.
What I know about it:
Undated and unidentified, but the paper manufacturer’s logo on the back (PMO) dates it to 1907-1915.
Comments:
I don’t know who these people are or what their relationships are to each other, but my guess is they were spending a pleasant day at a lake or seashore and decided to splurge on a souvenir photo of their outing. (I believe a photographer would more likely be found at a seaside resort than, say, an inland swimming pool, but please correct me if I’m wrong.) That swimwear! As charmingly quaint as we may find such looks today, those heavy wool garments must have been monstrously burdensome when wet. I doubt they were a particular joy when dry, either. (Men’s bathing garments weren’t much better.) Still, the outfits afforded as much freedom as standards of modesty permitted, and the smiles shown here indicate the people made do.
Pics of Then 
I just like seeing those real smiles. 🙂 Great image, Matt. 🙂
Thanks, Katie! I know what you mean. As much as I appreciate the artistic composition that goes into the studio shots, it’s refreshing to see the smiles of a candid.
I’ve always appreciated Edwardian (?) bathing suits. They aren’t demeaning and unflattering like today’s bathing suits for women.
Yep, this would be the Edwardian era or close to it. (The Edwardian era was 1901-1910, and this can be narrowed down to 1907-1915, based on the paper.) There can indeed be much to appreciate in old styles.
The “shower cap” bathing hat on the right is utilitarian. If the hair covering on the left is a swimming cap, it is charming.
I agree there’s a big difference in the head coverings of the two women. The one on the right looks almost comical to my eyes.