Man and woman, squinting in the sun
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What it is:
Real photo post card measuring a bit less than 3.5 x 5.5 inches.
What I know about it:
Undated and unidentified, but the paper manufacturer’s markings (AZO, four triangles pointing up) narrow the date range to 1904-1918.
Comments:
Funny, but after deciding to change this blog from “daily” to “occasionally”, I really had to force myself not to post things for a few days. It would get to be that time of the evening when I’d normally put together a post for the next day, and I’d stand there looking at the boxes of photos, feeling guilty, and reminding myself to take a break. But now that almost a week has gone by, I’d better post something, if only for my own sake, before I fall completely out of the habit. This one was already sitting on my desk as a possibility, so here it is. At first I thought the woman looked mean, or just weird, but I decided to be generous and assume she’s squinting in the sun. It’s interesting that the man isn’t wearing a jacket. That reveals the bands around his sleeves (I’m not sure what those are for) and the tie clip, which seems to be placed very low by our standards. The dress has the odd effect, in my eyes, of managing to be unattractive and flattering at the same time.
Pics of Then 
I think the arm bands were to save the sleeve cuffs from stain or tears. One of your readers with clothing history would know better. I imagine that clothes manufacturing had less variations than now. Without the bands, the sleeves would go past the man’s wrist.
Yes, that could be, thanks.
I don’t quite get the ruffle (or gather) at her waist, it almost makes it look like skirt and blouse
I agree. To my modern eyes, it flatters her figure and gives her a nice silhouette, but it still looks odd.
What I want to know is, what’s that thing hanging off of his belt? (Or out of his pocket?) His right, our left.
Good question. It looks like a strap of fabric hanging from his belt with the pull tab from a beer can affixed to it, but that can’t be right.
a key ring, maybe?
Possibly, though I don’t see any keys.