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1957 African American Family Christmas Vintage B&W
Offered is an original vintage black-and-white family photograph showing two African American children posing beside a decorated Christmas tree inside a home.
The photograph has an especially interesting piece of original handwritten family provenance on the reverse, reading:
“To Uncle Sant Aunt Lucille — Mother’s House — From George & Vienna”
This inscription adds significant context and makes the photograph more than an anonymous snapshot. It appears to have been a personal family photograph given or sent to relatives.
PHOTO CONTENT
The image shows two children standing beside a Christmas tree in a living room. The older child is wearing a distinctive mid-century holiday outfit, while the younger child stands beside them in a dark outfit.
Visible period details include:
* African American children
* Decorated Christmas tree
* Vintage Christmas ornaments and tinsel
* Mid-century residential interior
* Period furniture
* Books and household objects
* Children’s clothing and hairstyles
* Original photographic border with rounded image corners
The photograph provides a small but valuable glimpse into African American family life and Christmas traditions in the mid-20th century.
ORIGINAL FAMILY INSCRIPTION
The handwritten reverse is an important feature of this photograph:
“To Uncle Sant Aunt Lucille
Mother’s House
From George & Vienna”
The names George and Vienna appear to identify the people who gave/sent the photograph, while Uncle Sant and Aunt Lucille appear to be the intended recipients.
The exact identities and family relationships cannot be independently established from the photograph, so the inscription is presented exactly as written rather than making assumptions about the individuals.
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CONDITION
Vintage condition — sold as found.
The photograph shows substantial age-related wear, including:
* Surface scratches and marks
* Fading/tonal deterioration
* Discoloration
* Staining along portions of the borders
* Creasing/wear
* Edge and corner wear
* Writing in blue ink on the front border
* Age-related deterioration to the photographic surface
There is also a small tear/worn area along the lower-left portion of the border.
The photograph has not been digitally restored or made to appear newer than its actual condition.
The reverse remains particularly interesting because the original handwritten inscription is still clearly visible.
Please examine all photographs carefully for condition.
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COLLECTOR / HISTORICAL INTEREST
This photograph should appeal to collectors of:
* African American history
* Black Americana
* African American family history
* Vintage Christmas photography
* Christmas & holiday collectibles
* Vernacular photography
* Family photographs
* 1940s Americana
* Mid-century childhood
* Original vintage photographs
* Genealogy and social history
The personal inscription is arguably the strongest feature of the piece, because it provides names and a family relationship context that is absent from most anonymous vintage snapshots.
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PHOTO DETAILS
Type: Original vintage photograph
Subject: African American children / Christmas
Date: Circa 1957
Image: Black & White
Format: Vernacular family photograph
Orientation: Landscape
Photographer: Unknown
Location: Unknown
Provenance: Family photograph; handwritten dedication on reverse
Original/Reproduction: Original
Quantity: 1 photograph
Inscription: Yes — handwritten on reverse
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SEARCH KEYWORDS
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