WHAT DID PEOPLE LOOK LIKE WHEN PERUGGIA WAS ALIVE?

In 1978, I bought a house in Glenside, PA. It had been built in 1908, the same time period that Peruggia was working and living in Paris.  In the basement of this house I found a box of glass negatives by an unknown photographer taken from 1904-1910.

For someone who loves photography, this was a treasure trove. I'm going to post a few of my favorites  simply because the images are amazing. The clothes they wore, the expressions on their faces -- it's hard to believe that they lived 100 years ago. They look so alive.

Some of the negative envelopes were marked with names or titles.

This is Meta McDemond and her son Norman. And in the background is the house I bought in 1978. Mrs. McDermond was the owner. She was 95 when she sold the house to me and it broke her heart. We took wonderful care of the home and lived there until 1992 when we moved to LA. Leaving that home broke my heart.

This young woman is named Flora Blair. I wonder if it's some sort of a graduation picture because that could be a diploma in her hand.

This woman is Mrs. Richardson. What a winning smile.

This is Meta's older son Grant in a very big coat. Would any of our kids stand to be dressed like this today?

I love this guy.  He's called "Billikins"

This was also taken at the house I bought.  These people are the Grommicks. I don't think I've ever sat crossed legged on that porch in a suit.