This is a continuation of the work of Mr. Raymond V. "Dick" Cull of Concord, Massachsuetts. As discussed in Part 1, Dick was primarily a family and holiday/vacation snap shot man, not a professional photographer. Nevertheless, old Kodachromes can be a treat to the eyes no matter whose lens captured the image. It's true also that with each passing year the historical significance of these images becomes more obvious.
In this series, I have done my best to restict the selection to summertime vacations shots taken at locations along the Massachusetts coast, especially the very touristy town of Rockport.
Once again, I am adding comments in an informal way. I am not going to spend a lot of time searching for a tidbit that may be common knowledge to someone else. Please add your input in the follow up postings.
The older Kodachrome slide mounts are undated, so I cannot tell you the exact year. They are dark cardboard mounts with a red border and red printing "Kodachrome transparency processed by Kodak"on one side only. I am describing these as "1957" slides below, though they may well be from a few years earlier than this.
The earliest dated Kodachrome slide mounts I have seen come from 1958 and are off-white in color and have the date impressed on one side.
You will see old Kodachromes at flea markets and tag sales. If they are reasonably priced, you might consider them an investment in American history. Without them, much of our photographic history is likely to be found in postcards only. Don't be shy, learn from my experience; I had a relative who shot Kodachrome in the 1940s and 1950s. His collection was discarded when it came time to settle his estate. I didn't want to be too forward in asking for them. Big mistake.
On to PART 2
It all began when this one arrived
Well, actually I mean for those of us of european descent it began with the arrival of the original Mayflower, not this replica.
I guess this was shot at Plymouth, Massachusetts.
This serene scene above is from September, 1968.
Lighthouses have always been popular subjects. I haven't a clue where this one is located.
Ahh, Motif #1. We know we are in Rockport, Massachusetts when we see this well known shack. I wonder when
it became known as Motif #1? Dick did a good job here, apparently taken from a boat in August 1960.
Tourists crowd the streets of Rockport in July, 1965. Not the casual dress we associate with tourists today.
Another view of the Motif, this from 1957.
Not sure where this is, could be Rockport. Typical scene of the Massachusetts coast well north of Boston, August 1960.
This, I believe, is Gloucester, Massachusetts in 1957. Not a particularly interesting shot, but an old Kodachrome
that you could blow up wall-size and get lost in the details for a half-hour.
Bearskin Neck is the most touristy place in the tourist town of Rockport. This 1957 shot was taken in the harsh light
of a nice summer day.
Early light. The fleet is about to awaken in this 1957 view.
Early morning, the wharf is still quiet.
The Saint Ann is moving about in this August, 1960 view. Perhaps she is not going out this day, I don't see any nets.
Here we see the Chas. C. Beckman underway in September, 1968.
While in this August, 1966 view we see a more genteel pursuit of finned species as the Catherine III goes by.
END Part 2.
In Part 3 we will take a look at New Hampshire's White Mountains through the lens of Dick Cull.