I have a fascination with old things— I’ve had it since I was young. I’ve always loved old books— I love their stiff binding, musty scent, antique text… I’ve been sniffing old books for as long as I can remember. Stemming from my love of old books, I have amassed a collection of old paper-goods—- that, while being almost completely useless (OK-I-ADMIT-IT!), makes me happy.
Each scrap I salvage is a little insight into someone else’s life. I like that. Totems from the past.
Which is exactly why I drove towards Asheville this rainy mountain Saturday to investigate the antique shacks that litter the sides of US-25 N between Greenville and Asheville.
In one shop, I happened upon a box of GOLDEN old photographs from someone’s travelogue of the South Eastern USA. I grabbed a handful, gave the man at the counter a dollar (ONE DOLLAR!) and went on my merry way.
These pictures are old, you guys, and they are beautiful. What’s more, is that each one has text on the back, written in beautiful cursive. They must have been pasted in some journal that’s now no more. The words, detached from their sentences, combine to create a sort of whimsical-mountain ghost-poetry.
I feel compelled, in many ways, to go back and buy the rest of the box, and try to assemble this person’s path across the USA. A few women frequent the pictures… I’d like to find out who they are, as well. Maybe I will! For now, I’ll post them on my Tumblr for all of us to enjoy. There are some amazing shots here!
The first: An image of the Kentucky River, looking South.
FRONT Caption: KY. River- Looking South- Near Wilmor, KY.
BACK Text:
“…on the highway…
…the mournful low of a lonely…
… distance, only to be answered by the …
… meat will satisfy many hung[ry]…
… traveled along the banks …
… mountains, flowers … “
<3
M
