Peter P and Margaretha’s anniversary—the photographic trail

Yesterday’s post had only a poor scan of the photograph of Peter P and Margaretha that appeared in the Lincoln Sunday Journal and Star. Twenty-four hours later (thanks to the wonder of scanners and email), we can trace that photo back two more steps to see what appears to be the original shot. In the process, we discover a little more about the story behind the photo.

We start with the photo from yesterday, which is actually two generic photos placed side by side. The photos themselves offer no clues as to when and where they were taken.

The photograph below, however, reveals the source of the first photo. That is, the newspaper photo was pieced together from the single photograph below. The expressions and the tilts of the heads are identical, leaving little doubt as to the source of the newspaper’s photograph. Notice further that Margaretha is wearing two corsages and Peter one. Obviously, this is a photo from a special occasion.

Yet another version of the photograph, apparently the original (notice the scalloped edges typical of home photographs of the mid-twentieth century), broadens the context further. The background of the photo is not a photographer’s backdrop but a wall in someone’s home: a picture hangs above their heads, and a light switch (or electrical outlet?) is located to Margaretha’s left and what appears to be a thermometer to Peter’s right.

Of course, pictures cannot tell the entire story: we do need words to fill in the blanks. Thankfully, the 28 February 1950 newspaper from Ontario, California, clarifies (I believe) what we are seeing. The newspaper story begins: “Sixty years of wedded life were quietly celebrated yesterday by Margaretha and Peter P. Buller of 426 East I street. Throughout the afternoon a number of the friends called for tea to extend congratulations. They brought with them many cards and lovely floral tributes.”

Putting all the hints together—the association of the picture with the sixtieth anniversary in the first newspaper article, the corsages, the setting of the photo in the home, a second newspaper report about a quiet celebration of friends stopping by to offer congratulations—it is reasonable to conclude that this photo is not just associated with the anniversary but actually records a moment from the sixtieth anniversary celebration, with Peter P and Margaretha in their own home ready to greet the next group of friends who will stop in to congratulate and wish them well. The photo thus does more than show us two of our ancestors; it lets us share on some level in a significant moment of their lives. (Thanks to Dad and Suely for making this possible.)