We used to call this : history.  The word provenance has gained popularity.  It means: the proven or known history of some thing.  When I go to estate sales I ask questions about the items I collect.  This opens the door to learn how the items were used, creating a known tradition.  Tradition.  It's good to know about how people use their 'things'; and why they choose to do so.

The Photographer, who used his hobby studio to film ordinary happenings, created happy reminders of weddings (beautiful brides and grooms! standing in churchs with the light 'just right')

and family picnics  (in one faded shot there were two hundred people gathered, the long plank tables loaded with foods off to the side, with many, many chairs waiting)

and portraits (individual women, obviously of 'excellent character') and (couples who had been together so long they held their heads in the same slant, looking into the camer's eye)

and even some fashion shots of girls and boys going to their proms. 

I appreciated all the hours he spent recording these people and their lives; driving to them and back to his dark room; developing his film.  Did he know he was creating photographs which would someday be considered:  antiques?

He called his studio SNAP PHOTOS, but he seemed to take time over his shots.  The landscapes were lovely too, azaleas framing long drives before the old-style plantation houses in Tennessee, Mississippi and Georgia.  A Rose of red, one of yellow, the dew drops clear and fine.

I truly love the research that must be put in by a shop-keeper, me, to learn enough about the treasures found; to understand what works and doesn't work; what must go together; how the condition of a camera is determined.  I didn't know anything, zero, about medium format film cameras before I set up my current sales.  Now I understand why people are drawn to them; they are truly a mysterious force of work equipment!!

I hope that the people who are buying my 'found' cameras and accessories are aware of how appreciated they are (and will be)  for creating...provenance...of familys. 

Just the 'right ' ones are, even now, searching for their needed pieces...and Studio WFH has some waiting to be found...no wonder I love this work!  wfh

When I first began shopping and buying from estate sales it was just pure fun. People snatching and grabbing and rushing to pay after bargaining. 

One day I happened upon some ANTIQUE quilts; I had inherited many wonderful quilts from past female generations so, altho' I loved these found QUILTS, I had no need for them, except to begin forming a COLLECTION; I realized that there were people who would love to buy some family's history...if they had none of their own. 

That was the real collecting bug striking me...and there have been many, many folks who have bought pieces or whole collections to expand on THEIR dreams and enlarge their HISTORIES!  I have learned to buy the items which speak to my heart or whisper in my ear or make me laugh...just knowing that someone will treasure my find.

Please visit my store next week to see the really terrific VINTAGE CAMERA and accessories I located.  I'll tell you the story behind the PHOTOGRAPHER and his work in my next post...wfh

There are many chores to  keep ing an ebay store up and running.  I do not sell many new items;  just love collecting and buying at estate sales!   What I find here in the south may not be so findable in other locations.  So along with the fun of making a living doing what I love to do...I get to pass on some GREAT items to other folks to enjoy .

I also want to say that , for a first time user, the eBay store keeping tools are really  terrific ! 

I have had a few questions but the help centers have given me all the guidance needed.  Seldom, in my past businesses, have I had so much support.

 I hope that everybody reading this is having a good day too...write me if you want to chat!