Whimsical Windows - The Long Gone Traymore

Whimsical Windows/Delirious Doors returns with not so much whimsy, but a really more dignified look from yesteryear. The gentleman here is my Grandpa, Ralph (I was named for him) standing in front of an old (and long gone) Atlantic City Boardwalk icon, the Traymore Hotel. Taken I believe in October 1956, this is a dignity personified, dressed in an understated yet stylish tweed jacket, well formed English driving cap and wearing a camera,  he knows how to relax alongside the Atlantic. I chose the original B&W and sepia edit to show the 1915 hotel in its massive beauty before the glass and glitz of the modern casinos. A classy look at the past...

Whimsical Windows - Happy Birthday big sis...

1956, Brigantine NJ

1968, East Hartford CT

1983

I often return to the past for Toby's fun meme, Whimsical Windows/Delirious Doors. Today I must though, for the firstborn and big sister Michele had a surprise 60th birthday party for her yesterday. Planned for and executed by her two fabulous kids with lots of food, fun and music.

We celebrate here as she is seen with in doors and windows over the years. She is amazing, and birthdays are to be celebrated! Although the celebration was yesterday as she is on a business trip today to the frozen tundra (-6°F /-21°C) of Minnesota...Happy birthday!

Whimsical Windows - Old hotel by the sea

Grandma, 1946?

Dad and Terry, 1948?

Grandpa, October 1956

Grandpa and Terry, July 1969

Toby hosts the fun architectural memes, Whimsical Windows/Delirious Doors. And we look for architectural gems from here, there or anywhere. Or any era - since Aunt Terry sent me a box of old prints last year, the scanning continues. One theme of vacations in the old Atlantic City, far away from today's glass and steel casinos, was the Traymore Hotel. Through many decades, Grandpa wanted to take family pictures with this as a backdrop...The old hotel was demolished in 1972, so the 1969 pose was near the end of the once stately backdrop. At least we have spanned the eras in pictures...

(With all the artifacts I have, there has has to be a book in this somewhere :)

Whimsical Windows - Long ago and far away

Toby hosts the fun meme Whimsical Windows/Delirious Doors. Our task is to find interesting architectural gems. As many know, I have posted this before and still like the old scanned pics from distant eras.

The time is 1956,  the place is the New Jersey shore, the pre-superstorm Sandy and pre-casino Atlantic City. The hotels built long ago have an architectural charm, such as opening windows and no air-conditioning in the rooms no longer seen. And the names, such as Brighton and Traymore seem a throwback to a simpler time, and both long gone. The gentleman is my grandfather who trekked often from Ohio for a family visit to the briny paradise. Casinos seem more a draw than the wavy Atlantic...

Shadow Shot Sunday - Sunny and Fair

Chrome

...and whitewalls

Shadow Shot Sunday 2 is back, and a seemingly favorite subject of mine is old vehicles, primarily from the 1950-60s. At the Ansonia Harvest Festival a couple of weeks ago, a small car show was on Bridge Street, and I spotted this ruby beauty. I seem to trip over 1955 Fords as well as the similar 1956 - all suitable for shadowy pursuit...

Long and low...

Different eras and style - 1956 Ford vs 1970 Dodge Challenger

This mildly customized Fairlane Victoria is styled to look low and long - in shadow and subject to. Plenty of chrome all over and as per usuaal practice, the photographer shows up a few times too - chrome is soooo reflctive!. Se shadowy art from all over at the always fun SSS2!

Shadow Shot Sunday - Jersey Shore

The scanned and archived is for this week's Shadow Shot Sunday 2.The time is 1956, the place 23rd Street in the seaside island hamlet of Brigantine New Jersey. 

The house was small, guessing about 925 sq ft (86 M sq). It was one block from the bayside beach, three blocks to the Atlantic. Grandpa always lamented that he should have bought the house for vacations (the grandkids these days, looking for an inexpensive holiday today, would not have minded if he had :)

The cast today includes Michele (2-1/2 years), myself (1-1/2), Aunt Terry (14) and the timeless photo impresario grandfather (ageless). The playtime outside was provided by Terry, watching the kids at play while interlopers stopped by to chat...

After a day at play, the kids are dressed and hopefully winding down to slumberland, soon hopes the parental units. Grandpa was ready to chronicle the sleep ready children, the smiling kids equally...I chose to not crop out the date stamp on one picture - as if the era really needed description.

The home might have been small - but plenty big for toddlers...

The photographer is shown in the front of many long gone hotels in nearby Atlantic City sans casinos...

This was the casual gentleman dress with a wool sport jacket, plaid shirt (buttoned), wool driving cap and Exa SLR. Stylish and refined manor with a satisfied look that meant this family visiting to NJ was a great trip - with shadows inside and out. Thanks for this fun meme to all our hosts!