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June 1941. "Some of the children of a family who must move out. The Army is taking over the area for maneuver grounds. Caroline County, Virginia." Acetate negative by Jack Delano for the Farm Security Administration. View full size.
The December 1940 calendar plate is from the hand of the American illustrator Henry (Hy Jr.) Hintermeister (1897–1972) (or 1970?)
Below another example, with the same "uncle," boy and dog.
thnx Dave, of course it isn't (the boy's) grandpa
At first glance this looks to be and indoor photo but I think this is an outdoor shot. The difference in siding suggests to me a later addition with a covered porch, probably near the kitchen area. The flash bulb gives the appearance of an overhead light.
[If this was outdoors, the window would be hung the other way, with the bottom sash on the inside. And the icebox and kitchen utensils wouldn't be on a porch. - Dave]
If anyone has forgotten, this is what poverty looks like. I can’t get the haunted look on their faces out of my mind. And the filth. Even the baby is just covered in dirt, her little dress just grimy most likely from wearing the same clothes for days on end. The flies complete the picture and the kids seem oblivious to them because they are always there. Just like the dirt on their clothes. No wonder they look haunted. It just makes you wonder what became of them.
And that area is now Fort A.P. Hill, the fly capital of Virginia, and them flies will be moving from house to latrine shortly.
Another place, another time.
As in Picasso's "Three Musicians," the important part of the picture is the dog.
In a few months, these children will see a dramatic turn around in their lives. The entire nation got spun up in response to WWII. By the time the girls reached adulthood, America was on top of the world and would soon be on the moon. But for the time being, that story would have been a tough sell.
And to think I go on a commando mission if there is just one fly in the house!
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