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Sept. 1935. "Daughter of farmer who will be resettled. Wolf Creek Farms, Ga." Photo by Arthur Rothstein for the Resettlement Administration. View full size.
The ribbed toe, stitching, and emblem on the sneakers indicate that they are they are more likely a style of Keds introduced in 1934 by the U.S. Rubber Company (later known as Uniroyal). If so, the farmer's daughter's shoes were less than two years old at best.
U.S. Rubber's Keds claimed to have launched the original sneaker brand - Champion - in 1916, a year before the Converse Rubber Shoe Company introduced their All Star version. Keds even claimed to have popularized the very word sneaker - despite the fact that the word had been synonymous with canvas and rubber tennis shoes for years.
In 1934 Keds with the the Scientific Last and Shockproof Insole were available in all-black or black and white, which was reminiscent of the style they replaced.
PF Flyers (by BF Goodrich) wouldn't make the scene until 1937.
According to Wikipedia, at least, Chuck Taylor All-Stars have been around since 1917, so it's very possible that is exactly what she is wearing. Quite a long-lived style!
I'm mesmerized by this for some reason. There's big dreams in those eyes.
she went through the depression on the prairies in Saskatchewan, and when I asked her what it was like she would never mention one event about those horrible times.
It looks like she's wearing a pair of well-used Chuck Taylor High Tops.
Gotta love her well worn pair of hi-top sneakers,Converse maybe ?
They look like Chuck Taylors!
A powerfully simple, evocative photo that makes one wonder what were her dreams and aspirations. Was she doomed to isolation and lifelong poverty? Did the resettlement give her a second chance at life?
This photo reminded me of the Migrant Mother 1936 by Dorothea Lange. The hard times had both women either suffering tooth aches or holding their heads in despair. The Depression brought an equality of desolation for men, women and children.
Instruments of attitude adjustment in those days I dare say.
[They're for the laundry. - Dave]
Sometimes.
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