Tag: Fred Bodin

Gloucester Water Taxi – 1900 Style

Posted on by Sharon
Gloucester Harbor, circa 1900 Russell Robins/©Fredrik D. Bodin
Ten years ago a woman came into my gallery with fourteen 4×5 inch glass negatives that she found in the attic, and was going to sell them in her yard sale. They were in good condition, and all were harbor scenes. The only information she could give me was the photographer’s name: Russell Robins, and that he may have worked for Gorton’s Seafood. I bought them for much more than a yard sale price. As it turned out, they were all of Gloucester’s working harbor.
This photograph shows how busy the harbor was, with motor, sail, and rowing boats. The man rowing into the picture on the left is wearing a derby and looks like a businessman. He could be on his way to check out a fishing schooner’s catch and negotiate a price. Behind him are two schooners and the tug Startle. The distant shoreline is East Gloucester, and Rocky Neck is on the right. Over time, I realized that people in the fishing industry commuted by boat, unless a ship was tied up at the dock. Hundreds of people, including fishermen, shipwrights, fish company agents, provisioners, and owners, would row out to conduct the fishery’s business. And that’s probably why Russell Robins was out there too– with his camera.
Printed from the original 4×5 inch glass negative in my darkroom. Negative # A9945-009
Fred Bodin
Bodin Historic Photo
82 Main Street
Gloucester, MA 01930

Happy Birthday, Jackie!

Posted on by Sharon
Jackie and John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Jr. ©Fredrik D. Bodin
In the 1980’s, Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government hired me to photograph people and events in their brand new building near Harvard Square. This day’s event was the dedication of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Park, which is between the academic building and Memorial Drive and the Charles River. Among the guests of honor were Jackie, Caroline, John, Joe, and Ted Kennedy; Governor Michael Dukakis, and Boston Mayor Ray Flynn.
That evening the Kennedy School hosted a rooftop cocktail party for faculty, staff, and the Kennedys. One thing I’ll always remember is how elegant and graceful Jackie was. Her handshake and comments to everyone, from the secretary to the college president, were warm and genuine. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was born on July 28th, 1929 (July 28th is my birthday too). Happy birthday Jackie.
Printed archivally from my 35mm negative. Negative # FDB870529-06#12A
Fred Bodin
Bodin Historic Photo
82 Main Street
Gloucester, MA 01930

Wild Iris and the Love Photo

Posted on by Sharon
 Wild Iris, Halibut Point @Fredrik D. Bodin

I frequently scout a location before setting up to shoot a landscape, especially if it’s a sunrise or sunset. The equipment is heavy, the hike may be long, and I’ve got to be ready to shoot as the light changes. This was the case when I shot the sunset at Halibut Point State Park in Rockport. I explored the shore beneath the granite pile and noted two promising spots. The next evening I set up my tripod, framed the image in camera, and waited for the last rays of sunset. Even though the sky wasn’t very interesting, I made a few exposures.  It’s the wild iris in the bottom right that make this image a great seller in the gallery.  Then I moved to the second location about 150 feet to the east.
 
 Dusk, Halibut Point ©Fredrik D. Bodin

As dusk approached, the clouds darkened to purple and reflected off the ocean and tidal pools. The pool on the left is shaped like a heart, which I point out to customers in the gallery. I call this the “love” photo. I returned to this location a year later and the wild iris were gone. But the heart will always be there.
Shot on 6×7 centimeter transparency film. Printed from a 4×5 inch color internegative.
Negative #’s FDB9167-001c and FDB9167-002c
Fred Bodin
Bodin Historic Photo
82 Main Street
Gloucester, MA 01930

Barbara Bodin Paints During The July 2011 Block Party

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Fred Bodin Writes-

Barbara Bodin, Fred Bodin’s sister, paints outside his galley in the West End during the Block Party. Barb is visiting from Martha’s Vinyard to take painting workshops at the North Shore Arts Association. And, of course, spend some quality time with her brother. The view is of diners in front of La Tratoria.

Annis Squam, 1817

Posted on by Sharon
Edmund M. Blunt/©Fredrik D. Bodin
Edmund March Blunt (1770–1862) published and printed the first book of sailing directions in the United States, the American Coast Pilot, in 1796. This Annis Squam chart is from the 9th edition of Coast Pilot and measures 9×5 inches – a tidy size for both large commercial and smaller sailing vessels. At the top in red are what I believe to be fish drying racks. Below Annis Squam, the chart shows the “White Sand Hills” of Coffin’s Beach. I’m excited to have this restored and superbly colored treasure in my gallery.
“The American Coast Pilot, containing the courses and distances between the principal harbours, capes and headlands, from Passamaquoddy through the gulph of Florida, with directions for sailing into the same, describing the soundings, bearings of the light-houses and beacons from the rocks, shoals, ledges, through the south and east channels, and the settings of the currents, with the latitudes of the principal harbours on the coast, together with a tide table, by Edmund M. Blunt; corrected and improved by the most experienced pilots in the United States.” – Edmund Blunt
Printed archivally from a scan of the original map. Negative # AM11-001 (not for navigation)
Fred Bodin
Bodin Historic Photo
82 Main Street
Gloucester, MA 01930

Good Harbor Beach, 1930

Posted on by Sharon
Good Harbor Beach, 1930 Alice M. Curtis/©Fredrik D. Bodin
As summer takes hold and hot weather becomes the norm, I think of this photograph, taken at the Brier Neck end of Good Harbor Beach. It looks hazy, hot, and humid. Details of the Back Shore and Moorland Hotel are lost in the haze. Beach goers seek out the water and hide in the shade. The number of umbrellas makes me think they knew about the effects of too much sun.
Printed from the original 5×7 inch glass negative in my darkroom. Negative # A8357-048
Fred Bodin
Bodin Historic Photo
82 Main Street
Gloucester, MA 01930

Jacob Dow, Manchester, circa 1890

Posted on by Sharon
Jacob Dow, Manchester, circa 1890 Alexander R. Cheves/©Fredrik D. Bodin

Jacob Hilton Dow Jr. was born in Manchester in 1826. He worked as a furniture maker until enlisting in the Union Army in December of 1861. Seven months after reenlisting in 1864, he lost his leg at the Battle of the Crater in Virginia. When Dow returned to Manchester, he took up lobstering. In this photograph, he’s rowing his dory in Manchester Harbor. Beach Street is in the background. Jacob Dow passed away in Manchester in 1901, at the age of 75.
Thanks to: Carl R. Triebs, They Rallied ‘Round the Flag (Manchester Historical Society).

Printed from a 4×5 inch copy negative in my darkroom. Negative # AC9645-001
Fred Bodin
Bodin Historic Photo
82 Main Street
Gloucester, MA 01930

Portuguese Crowning of the Imperitor, circa 1950

Posted on by Sharon
 
Crowning of the Imperitor, Gloucester, circa 1950 Anonymous/©Fredrik D. Bodin

Since 1902, Gloucester’s Catholic community gives thanks to God by celebrating the Crowning of the Imperitor. Proceeding down Prospect Street, Our Lady of Good Voyage Church is just out of the frame on the left. The girls I’ve been able to identify are, from left to right: Sandy Saville; Judy Sears Cote (whose mother made the dresses); Sandra Lawler Olsen; and Loraine Mitchell. Mary Dahlmer Mesquite is on the porch. If you recognize any of the other girls, please let me know.
Printed from the original 4×5 inch glass negative in my darkroom. Negative # JC-007
Fred Bodin
Bodin Historic Photo
82 Main Street
Gloucester, MA 01930

Cleaning the Catch, circa 1930

Posted on by Sharon

Cleaning the Catch, circa 1930 Anonymous/@Fredrik D. Bodin

Sailing home in rolling seas after a fishing trip, these men clean and sort the catch. Covered with fish guts and scales, there’s no showering or shaving on a working schooner. This was on-the-job reality in the 1930’s. One way I estimate the date of an old photo is by clothing style. In this shot, the man in the middle is wearing a 1930’s Trilby hat, and the men on either side are wearing 1920’s flat Newsboy hats. If anyone can identify any of these fishermen, please let us know.

Printed from the original 4×5 inch glass negative in my darkroom. Negative # A9145-246

Fred Bodin
Bodin Historic Photo
82 Main Street
Gloucester, MA 01930

Front Beach, Rockport, circa 1900

Posted on by Sharon
Front Beach, Rockport, circa 1900 Charles H. Cleaves/©Fredrik D. Bodin
These folks are enjoying Front Beach in the latest beach attire. Observatory Point sits in the distance on the right. The Rockport fire house is on the left, with its hose drying tower. It wasn’t until after 1819 that water buckets were replaced by a great improvement in fire-fighting equipment – the cotton hose. After use, the hoses needed to dry, and this took place in a 50 to 60 foot tower. Often, a fire bell was hung in the top of the tower.

 

Printed from the original 4×5 inch glass negative in my darkroom. Negative # A9445-046
Fred Bodin
Bodin Historic Photo
82 Main Street
Gloucester, MA 01930

The Paint Factory, Gloucester

Posted on by Sharon
 The Paint Factory, Gloucester ©Fredrik D. Bodin
The Tarr and Wonson Paint Manufactory, or Paint Factory, was built in 1874. It’s purpose was to make copper based paint to prevent barnacles from growing on the bottoms of boats. Bottom growth slows a vessel down, which costs money, especially if the cargo is perishable fish. In addition, the fishing schooner reaching port first got best price. This was Tarr and Wonson’s new technology.
Looking at this photograph you may think it’s old, until you look closer. In October of 1984 I looked out my window and saw a large schooner entering the harbor with her sails up. I ran outside and fired off half a dozen shots.. The size of the Bluenose II behind the Paint Factory gives the photo its impact. She’s  161 feet long and the mainmast is 125 feet tall. I learned later that this was the Bluenose II of Nova Scotia making a quick sail  in and out of Gloucester Harbor. It was a courtesy visit by the captain to a good friend, Gloucester shipwright Verne Smith and his wife Ruth.
Printed in my darkroom from the original 35mm Tri-X negative. Negative #FDB841016-05#08A
Fred Bodin
Bodin Historic Photo
82 Main Street
Gloucester, MA 01930

The Homecoming

Posted on by Sharon
 The Homecoming, circa 1950 Anonymous/©Fredrik D. Bodin
It’s rare that a photograph can make me well up a bit every time I look at it. This one does. Although we can’t see see the soldier’s face, we know where he’s been: to war. Now he’s returned after a long hot trip, being welcomed by his family in an airport or train station. The three women, probably his wife, mother, and daughter, are all crying with happiness to have him home. It’s hard to not do the same.
About two years ago a woman came into my gallery with a few photographs she wanted to sell. I was struck when I saw this one, and bought it. It’s an 8×10 black and white glossy, with no information on the front or back. An unknown press photographer probably took the picture, and I don’t know if it was ever published. I wonder if he or she realized the emotional weight of this image. An unexpected gift for us on Memorial Day.

Scanned from the original 8×10 inch print. Negative #AD110530-001
Fred Bodin
Bodin Historic Photo
82 Main Street
Gloucester, MA 01930

Memorial Day, Gloucester, 1904

Posted on by Sharon
This flag raising ceremony was held at 6:30AM near Addison Gilbert Hospital. In attendance were Gloucester’s Civil War veterans of Company G, Eighth Infantry. Company G, of the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, was organized in 1788, and was called the “Gloucester Artillery.” After being reorganized in 1852, it was named the “American Guard.” They fought in President Lincoln’s Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) from 1861 to 1865.
Photographer Alice Curtis mentions “Uncle John” was the guest of honor at the Memorial Day flag raisings she photographed in 1904, 1913, and 1915. He is the bearded gentleman on the left. I believe Uncle John was Captain John Lowe.
Alice M. Curtis/©Fredrik D. Bodin
Thank you to all of our veterans for your service.
Printed from the original 5×7 inch glass negative in my darkroom. Negative # A8357-058
Fred Bodin
Bodin Historic Photo
82 Main Street
Gloucester, MA 01930

Main Street, Gloucester, circa 1890

Posted on by Sharon
Main Street, Gloucester, circa 1890 John I. Coggeshall/©Fredrik D. Bodin

This is the bend in Main Street’s West End, just past Palazola’s (where the large tractor trailer trucks get stuck). The photograph was taken shortly after trolley tracks were installed, but before the time of automobiles. In those days, small deliveries were made by horse drawn wagons. Large long-haul deliveries were made by train, sailing vessels, and steam ships.
Photographer John Coggeshall set up his 8×10 camera in front of Valentino’s. The second building on the left is where Bananas is now. Next to it, behind the horses and wagon, my gallery is the light-colored building. At that time it was James Patten’s fruit market, with a print shop upstairs, and in 1896 it was the Wingaersheek Cafe. On the other side from right to left are the present Gloucester Estate Buyers, Cafe Bishco, Stone Leaf, and the Bookstore. Boynton Way, now a walking street, was open to traffic.
Printed from the original 8×10 inch glass negative in my darkroom. Negative # A93810-011
Fred Bodin
Bodin Historic Photo
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82 Main Street
Gloucester, MA 01930

Annisquam Light, circa 1890

Posted on by Sharon

a93810_032
 Annisquam Light, circa 1890 Charles E. Dennison/©Fredrik D, Bodin
The first Annisquam Lighthouse was built in 1801 on Wigwam Point, where the Annisqaum River meets Ipswich Bay. It was replaced in 1851 by the lighthouse in this photograph. The forty one foot high wooden tower was octagonal. The keeper’s house, to the right of the light, also built in 1801, had a covered walkway connecting it to the lighthouse. Cows grazed the lighthouse grounds, and wandered along the beach at low tide. The present  Annisquam Light was erected in 1897, and is made of brick. The light was automated in 1974, and the keeper’s house is currently used by Coast Guard families.
Printed from the original 8×10 inch negative in my darkroom.
Fred Bodin
Bodin Historic Photo
82 Main Street
Gloucester, MA 01930

Long Beach Rodeo, circa 1950

Posted on by Sharon

Long Beach Rodeo, circa 1950 Alice M. Curtis/©Fredrik D. Bodin

What’s going on here in front of the Long Beach Hotel? Remembering another rodeo photo I have, taken at the Plum Cove baseball field, I figured it out (maybe). Horses, cowboys and cowgirls in western outfits, and two different locations: this was probably a publicity event for the circus. People came to watch the horses race down the beach. The spectators tell us the time period: A policeman in vintage uniform, girls and boys checking each other out, and the cool kid in the white t-shirt (I can just see a pack of Marlboros rolled up in his sleeve). If anyone remembers the Long Beach rodeo or has any pictures, I’d love to hear from you.

Printed from the original 6×7 centimeter film negative in my darkroom.

Fred Bodin

Bodin Historic Photo

info@BodinHistoricPhoto.com

82 Main Street

Gloucester, MA 01930

978-283-2524

Ketchopulos Market, Rockport, 1931

Posted on by Sharon
Ketchopulos Market, Rockport, 1931 Alice M. Curtis/ ©Bodin Historic Photo
Working with this photograph has been a lot of fun for me because I’ve met so many people who have fond memories of “Ketchop’s,” as they refer to it. They recall the quality cuts of meat, produce, and particularly the beautiful lantanas hanging from the columns. Notice the Laurel and Hardy movie poster, showing at Town Hall, leaning against the tree on the left. One local woman, a Ketchopulos, pointed out to her friend while in the gallery: “There I am as a little girl!” The Ketchopulos Market closed in the early 1970’s, but the building remains on Broadway.
Printed from the original 5×7 inch film negative in my darkroom.
Fred Bodin
Bodin Historic Photo
82 Main Street
Gloucester, MA 01930

Granite Schooner, Lanes Cove

Posted on by Sharon
Granite Schooner Flora Condon, Lanes Cove, 1909 John I. Coggeshall/©Bodin Historic Photo
The three masted schooner Flora Condon loading Cape Ann granite in Lanes Cove. Granite blocks were wheeled on a gallymander along a ramp and then lowered with block and tackle into the ship’s hold. The schooner was 123 feet long, and was built in 1872 in Belfast, Maine.  She was lost off Cape Cod in December of 1911. John Ingersoll Coggeshall  (1856 – 1927) was an accomplished sea-landscape painter and photographer, for whom Coggeshall Road in Lanesville is named.

Printed from the original 8×10 inch glass negative in my darkroom.
Fred Bodin
Bodin Historic Photo
82 Main Street
Gloucester, MA 01930

Clam Tucker

Posted on by Sharon
Clam Tucker ~ On the ‘Squam, circa 1900 Alice M. Curtis/©Bodin Historic Photo
Clam Tucker is one of my favorite photos, and I always try to keep a print hanging in the gallery. My best guess on the location is the Mill River in Gloucester. Clam (Osmond “Clam” Tucker) kept his boat and had his clam shack on Clam Alley, which was paved with his shucked clams, and is across Washington Street from Gee Avenue.
I have talked to people in the gallery who knew Clam Tucker when they were children. Their parents sent them with buckets to buy his clams, and they timidly entered his shack where he told them stories. One person even claimed to have his clay pipe.
One piece of the puzzle that I haven’t solved yet is the type of boat this is. It can be rowed and also sailed. Any ideas?
Printed from the original 5×7 inch glass negative in my darkroom.
Fred Bodin
Bodin Historic Photo
82 Main Street
Gloucester, MA 01930

Fred’s Fluke

Posted on by Sharon
Good one, Fred! 

Bodin Historic Photo

82 Main Street, Gloucester, MA 01930
(978) 283-2524 (888) BodinArt
Fred@BodinHistoricPhoto.com 

Bodin Historic Photo is an art gallery on Boston’s North Shore. Here, photographer Fred Bodin displays and sells prints from his collection of over 9,000 glass and film negatives. Fred hand prints, sepia tones, and frames each photograph himself, using archival museum quality materials. Subjects include beaches, hotels, landscapes, people, and the famous sailing schooners of New England. Although concentrated on Cape Ann (Gloucester and Rockport), the collection covers a wide variety of locations, including the great National Parks out west in the 1920’s and Hawaii in the late 1800’s. In addition to the historic photos, Fred also exhibits his large format landscapes, schooners, and Polaroid to watercolor transfers. New images are added every week. If you see a photograph you like on my web site, please call to order or for more information. We accept all major credit cards and are happy to ship your picture to you. If you’re up on Cape Ann- come and visit. We’re open Monday through Friday 11AM to 6PM, Saturday 10AM to 8PM, and on Sunday from 12N to 5PM.

http://www.bodinhistoricphoto.com/