Hats and the People who Wear Them

I realized, when I was looking for photos of people wearing hats, that people in my family just didn't wear hats very much, at least not very exciting ones. My husband's family has a few photo postcards of people with hats; the only problem is that we're not sure who they are, maybe cousins or in-laws. However, it's probably safe to assume that they were recent immigrants to upstate New York from Moravia or Bohemia at the time the photos were taken. Her hat looks classic 1920s.

Never mind his hat, I'd love to know more about the pipe.

I have plenty of cards that show big beautiful hats, including this one, with the generous addition of glitter.

It also has an amusing message on the back.

 The message to Lloyd Robbins of Frankfort, New York was sent in November, 1907:

Would like to exchange postal if this card is ans. I will send better one

Lillian Rhodes

31 Maple Street

Gloversville

I didn't find anything definite about Lillian Rhodes, but Lloyd Robbins, born in 1897, seems to have been inducted into the military in 1918.

More exciting hats can be found at Sepia Saturday.

Rudy Goes Fishing

That's right, Rudy's back. If you remember previous posts about Rudy, he went off to fight in World War II and became ill at the end of his service. He had kidney failure and it turned out that he only had one kidney, so he ended up dying not long after he returned. Looking at the picture below and his somewhat puffy face, I have to wonder if that was due to kidney disease.
Here he is while he was still in the army, stationed somewhere in the U.K. The A.P.O. address is always a domestic address, so it's unfortunate that it doesn't give a better indication of exactly where he was.

In case you can't read Rudy's writing, here's what his letter says:

Hello Folks,

Just a few lines and I hope they find you all in the best of health and spirits. I went fishing with my new tackle yesterday and had good luck. I caught two trout, one 14 1/2 inches and one 11 inches. I also got a eel that was at least three feet long. After seeing the fish i caught some of the boys went today fishing but had no luck. It seems I that i am the only one that has any luck at this stream. I ate one trout yesterday nite for my supper. It was great eating. I went to town today and seen a show. I usually get up around noon when I work notes. Got a ticket also to see Bob Hope in person this Sunday. Well I'll say so long all. Thanks for everything. Rudy.

Here's the back of the photo.

For more good fishing, wade on up the stream to Sepia Saturday.