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January 1939. "Migratory packinghouse worker's child playing 'school' near Canal Point, Florida." Medium format acetate negative by Marion Post Wolcott. View full size.
this is one of the most magical photos I've seen in a while. Divorce it of its context, and it strikes me as a woodland fantasy. Its setting is almost threatre. Dreamlike. I don't want to make light of the girl's family's circumstances, but, visually, I find this moment captured to be serene and uplifting.
Marion Post Wolcott. She's been a growing master for me, as I encounter more and more of her images here at Shorpy. She shows command for human subjects in well-framed scenes.
I can't believe how thin that young lady's legs are. Perhaps she is just a victim of genetics or perhaps she is a victim of the Great Depression's food failure.
On a happier note, that puppy and cat wrestling makes this a happier domestic scene.
Recess called, now it's playtime for the furry pupils.
When my own daughter was somewhat younger than this Florida lass, but of school-going age, I once spied her in her room playing teacher before a semi-circle of dolls arranged as pupils. She was being pedantic and bossy, as I imagine she figured was the way to be a teacher.
I do like the display of shells on the mini-bench.
On the right, I was worried that critter might be the product of an unholy alliance between a rabbit and a chicken, especially since it’s beneath the picture of a bird, but I do believe it’s a dog.
Bonus points to girl teacher for shoes, hairdo, pretty frock, and marvelous imagination.
Why are no other children playing school with her? Is today's lesson plan about a train leaving St. Louis at 8 a.m. heading west?
Would that be a chilly or a warm day?
The dress implies a pleasant temperature.
But sitting on what looks to be some sort of camping stove? Even if looks to be disused?
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