I'm guessing that this image was captured in the late 19th/early 20th century. Also guessing this may have been a mining or logging camp where the hordes of bachelors had to make do. If any readers know more, your information would be greatly appreciated.
Subscribe to The Bilerico Project
Leave a comment
We want to know your opinion on this issue! While arguing about an opinion or idea is encouraged, personal attacks will not be tolerated. Please be respectful of others.
The editorial team will delete a comment that is off-topic, abusive, exceptionally incoherent, includes a slur or is soliciting and/or advertising. Repeated violations of the policy will result in revocation of your user account. Please keep in mind that this is our online home; ill-mannered house guests will be shown the door.
I have a copy of this picture in a box of thank you cards showing antique photos of men "together". Here's a clearer version (with some inappropriate remarks) that I located.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/spurmarks/3004147894/
I'd really love to know the history of this as well. I've seen similar pictures of women in schools from the same time period. There were no men allowed and in some of these photos women dressed in men's clothing to create the gender roles.
David Deitcher apparently included the photograph in one of his books (I am not sure which one.)
Here is the information he has about the photograph, as listed on his website:
PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN, SUBJECTS UNKNOWN, GELATIN SILVER PRINT, REAL PHOTO POSTCARD (3 1/2 X 5 1/2"), C. 1910. INSCRIPTION IN THE NEGATIVE READS: #28. COWBOY 'DANCE STAG'." POSTMARKED ON VERSO: "WINNER, S. DAK., OCT 20, [ILLEG.]"
http://www.daviddeitcher.com/BOOKS/photos/df05.html
durrr... obviously it would have appeared in Deitcher's book Dear Friends: American Photographs of Men together, 1840-1918
I have always heard that at such dances the men used hankies in their back pockets to mark who is "male" and "female" --- to support this, notice the hankie on the man right of center --- coincidence or no?
This is actually a recent photo taken in DC. It depicts the American Catholic bishops celebrating after completion of the final draft of their pastoral letter on marriage.
Good one, Father Tony. I chuckled to myself for a few minutes over that.
It just goes to show you why the fiddle makes the devil's music.
thank you father tony - i had to try to contain my laughter (in the library reading this now).