I'm quite obsessed with this little snapshot. A double exposure to begin with, with just a glimpse of what look almost like a cluster of ancient pyramids along the bottom. Of much greater note though is the image that fills most of it-- three children standing together near this large tree, onto the trunk of which are posted three signs, with what appear to be portraits of people on them, and which is also directly painted on, with black against white text, in what clearly looks like PA German fraktur style lettering. I've magnified many times to read as much as I can, but still can't quite read those signs.
The names of the three young people are written on the back of the snapshot, and I've managed to place them in Lebanon county, PA. Where, as I understand it, among Pennsylvanian German communities, the traditional folk-healing practice of Braucherei or "powwowing" was practiced, blending Christian scripture, European folklore, and herbal remedies--and which included pursuing cures to ailments by "plugging" those illness into a tree. There is a whole world there to explore, new to me, and I am not certain that that is what is captured here, but I have a hunch. And then this accident of heavenly right pouring town on the tree! This feels like a special one to me.
3 9/16" x 2 9/16". Glossy surface snapshot, with some curling and a few small stains/toning spots.
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