One of my favorite finds of the week, though perhaps no one else will appreciate it quite as much as I do. The message on this Western Union telegram, dated 1884: "Clara broke her left leg at the rink Saturday night." Signed Harry. A message that, to me, perfectly embodies the challenge posed by the telegram--how to communicate what is necessary in as few words possible. In doing so it delivers what I think is a very Hemingway-esque sentence, spare but packing in a whole lot of information and vividness. Clara. The rink. Left leg. Saturday night. At first I thought ice skating, but now know that in the 1880s Boston saw the opening of several roller skating rink— in Back Bay, in the South End, and on Shawmut Avenue. A new and very social sport, especially on a Saturday night, with lots of broken legs one might imagine! I just love a found object like this, which makes me think of Duchamp's imagined broken arm, too.
8 1/4" x 5 1/4" and in good condition. Mounted to backing, as it was clearly glued into a scrapbook, probably Clara's, with a few clippings on reverse.
You might also like
