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TRANSPARENCY - VINTAGE COLOR SLIDES
- Scary Fingers
- Apr 3
- 5 min read
Over spring break I ventured to Milwaukee, WI, where I stopped in at an antique store and came across a massive basket of color slides, little fully developed pictures that could be used in slide shows of family vacations or photo presentations, popular in the 60s and 70s. They were 10 for $1, so after an hour of taking handfuls and chucking a hundred aside, I ended up with 11, and the man at the counter with the British accent who had said he was retiring tomorrow said, “Well, you get one free."
I first saw this format of photo years ago in a binder in my family home's crawlspace, where my mother explained they were photos she'd taken, dated from the 90s. I later re-encountered these slides explained in a Madmen episode where the color slide projector was pitched as a way to display sentimental family photos. I most recently encountered the things in a club in Pilsen, hundreds placed in a grid between panes of glass to make up the collaged walls of the restrooms, illuminated from the interior. So you see, they are not only historic and artistic, but they're little windows into private lives and perspectives.
All the following slides were found in a bin in an antique store in Milwaukee. They were a pain to photograph because they required a light source behind them and some light in front, almost as if they were intended to be used in a slide deck.
“Gene Tarpey:" probably the guy who brought the photos in to be processed, not this guy. Is it a banquet hall? Note what I think are deviled eggs on a platter on the table in the corner. Since this is the only slide I found without a date and year, I assume it's older than the late 60s, as some from that era were dated. My guess is this is from the late fifties to mid sixties. He's got an impressive spread of drinks. I believe he just brought the party to the party.
The photographer might have been trying to get artistic, or they sucked at aiming the lens. Could have been a party or a purposeful arrangement. The offcenter focus reminded me of the album art of Pearl Jam's No Code, comprised of a grid of polaroids. By far the tamest image. Don't stop here.
Looks like he and the photagrapher are in a greenhouse. There was another image in the bin with this guy holding a metal funnel, but it wasn't funny like this. Maybe he was trying some photography experiments with depth, or he needed to present about plant care. Either way, he really wants you to dig this big friggin' banana.
Since his feet are up, holding a cigarette, I'm thinking he's in a sub or a ship of some kind, probably a member of the Navy during the Vietnam war. Maybe he knew how to operate or fix whatever equipment he's sitting on. This is the only titled one I got, maybe the photographer thought “Who Said That?" would make a good speech bubble for him. Maybe he said it shortly before his photo was taken after someone insulted his mother.
I thought the soldier motif was interesting, so I grabbed this to help build my 10 slides for $1 deal. The statue, according to Wikipedia, is “on the left side of the Wisconsin Memorial at the Vicksburg National Military Park, by Julius C. Loester. Erected in 1911." Since the slide was found and taken in Wisconsin, this was probably a summer trip not far from home for the casual fashionista and her photographer.
Considering it's dated November, this could be a tropical or southern vacay for the Thanksgiving holiday. None are dressed to swim, so they may not have planned to head to the beach at first. I appreciated the guy striking a pose. Were these men and the photographer just friends?
There was another slide in the bin with this same soldier holding a gift. Not sure if he was giving it or receiving. If the month of November is correct, it could be an early Christmas or only a birthday party. I'm guessing due to his dress uniform he either returned or is on R&R from the Vietnam war. He has a damn lot of metals and he knows to wear a watch on the inside when shooting guns. If I had a magnifying glass I could read his nametag or the brand of drink. He looks kinda mean.
Since it's the same house -- compare the wall tapestry to the last image -- and an earlier number in the set, I'm guessing an excited mom or family member started snapping photos as soon as he entered the room. Notice the middle-aged likely dad watching as they enter--trying to hide his excitement while being too lazy to get up. The woman might have entered the house with the soldier, leading him to the living room, but probably wasn't the intended subject of the photo. She could be his girlfriend, since her dress is seen in the other photo, sitting beside him, face obscured. Then again, the soldier's wearing a ring but she may not be. There's a cool old TV in the bottom corner. Also, I believe my grandpa had a similar lamp to the one in the photo--the gold bar may or may not be wedged between the ceiling and floor instead of standing on its own.
Maybe the photographer thought they were hot. They both have olive green bags on the back--army bags? It was taken in July, so they must have been hot.
At first I grabbed it for the car in the picture, thinking, it's covered in snow but at least you can see some of it. On closer inspection to see if I should take it, I noticed the man behind the car, who I at first thought was shoveling, was actually loosely bound around his body with what may be rope, and his head either wrapped in a light bandage or sporting a poorly fitting hat. Dumb shenanigans or crime in-progress? The shot is taken from around the corner of some exterior home siding, so maybe the photographer thought this dumb stunt should be photographed without the subject's knowledge as he hopped to the car intending to drive without use of his arms--or it's the beginning of a snuff photo album and this is the victim attempting a doomed escape before being dragged back inside. Anyway you look at it, that suede jacket should really be kept away from snow.
He may look ready, but I don't think that car's going anywhere, sitting on piles of leaves. This photo would be great for album art. At least he looks happy...
Next time I'm back in MKE I might look for some more duplicates in the series to get more context what in the occasional sam hill was going on. Photos can be mysteries.
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