Old Salt, circa 1890 Anonymous/ ©Fredrik D. BodinI love this photograph, and affectionately call the subject “Old Salty.” I like it so much it’s my profile picture on Facebook. This is a classic Gloucester fisherman image, with oilskin, sou’wester hat, and old fashioned beard. What’s really striking is the far away look in his eyes. He’s seen it all: Weather, endless ocean, severe hardship, and extreme danger. The portrait is carefully posed and lit – probably taken for the tourist trade. I was told that Old Salt could be Jessie Bates or Rufus Bates Parsons, and was taken in Gloucester.
If you know Salty, please let me know. In the meantime, today’s tourists who have seen my Facebook page will come to the gallery looking to meet the fisherman with the beard.
Printed archivally in the darkroom from a 6×7 cm copy negative. Image # AC020128-02#11
Fred
Fredrik D. Bodin
82 Main Street
Gloucester, MA 01930
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Good Morning Gloucester 
Could this be the same “old salt” as the one pictured in this postcard: http://vintagerockport.com/2011/05/28/a-cape-ann-fisherman-1905/
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I don’t think so Bob. Their noses and ages are different- and yours is a smoker!
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Looks like Carl or Karl Malden the actor, Streets of San Francisco.
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That’s a great picture!
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He’s looking pretty salty!
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