A Photo and Some Detective Work

Sometime this weekend, I picked up one of my favorite books, Joseph Hansen's "Jack of Heart." As many times before, I was struck by the cover. I've always wondered when and where the photo was taken. So I thought I'd apply some detective work.

Three young guys of similiar ages are reclining in what appears to be three different chairs. The back of the middle chair is visible, and, if you look closely, you can see that the boy in the chair has his left elbow on the arm of the chair. The boy to the right has his right arm over the arm of his chair. The boy at the left is slumped back more than the other two, but the chair is not visible.

If may be that all three of the boys are gazing slighly upwards at something at the left. Or they may be "musing on a lamp flame." Whichever it is, there is something almost sensual in their languid body language.

It's interesting to note how physically close they are to each other. As though, they've known each other for awhile. Or could they be related? Cousins, possibly?

None of the white tee shirts have any logos or script on them. The necks have that puckered look that tees get after lots of wear. The hair styles are neat and swept back. The lack of logos and the hair cuts make me think the time is in the late 40s / early 50s.

Behind the boys are two windows: one closed, one open. I think the windows open unto a porch or veranda, but I can't be certain. Through the window is what may be railings or the back of a bench.

Until now, I'd never noticed that the boy at the left may be in direct sunlight. The glare off his tee shirt is strong enough to light the inside of his right arm.

There is a door behind and to their right. A woman wearing glasses stares at the camera. There is a reflection off what has to be a ring.

I downloaded the cover from Amazon.com and opened it in PaintShopPro. I brightened, sharpened, altered the contrast, increased the number of colors, enlarged, etc. But nothing really provided any more info.

It finally dawned on me to check the credits on the book. The photo is by Esther Bubbley, 1948, Standard Oil (New Jersey) Collection, University of Louisvile Photo Collection. So I got the time period right.

I Googled for Esther Bubbley, but the results were almost non-existent. This told me something was not right. So I tried the University and discovered the name was misspelled on the book credits. Opppps. The name should be Esther Bubley.

Lots of info showed up, and I visited several, but I never could find the one on the book cover.

So I still wonder who they were and what they were doing.

PAX!