TRAILER FAMILY PORTRAIT, PALM SPRINGS, CA, 1955
I love a beautiful family portrait! But never more than when the family is posed in front of a canned ham trailer and least two of them are dressed alike. In this case its his and hers Hawaiian print shirts. Truly inspired!
The trailer, with its door and windows open like its saying “ahhhh,” is nothing less than stunning. That sea foam green and custard yellow two-tone finish is gorgeous! How much are we lovin’ the deep blue desert sky reflected in the aluminum window frames and the honey blond wood screen door with burnt orange curtains gathered like moms brown mustard skirt. And if you like Venetian blinds the way I do there are some of those hangin’ in that trailer too! Don’t miss the classically cuffed Levi’s. If this isn’t Americana I don’t know what is!
UPCOMING SHOWS FEB 19 & 20
Speaking of PALM SPRINGS… I hope you can make it to my RETRO SLIDE SHOW there Friday night, FEB19 at the ACE HOTEL. Come early for the vintage trailer show and… to meet my Portland pals, Jeff and Kelly, (I call them “Jelly”) of Vintage Roadside, who will be peddling their amazing T-shirts! It’s all part of Palm Springs Modernism Week. FUN!
If you you’re not desert bound perhaps you can make it to the world’s greatest Camellia showplace, DESCANSO GARDENS, (located just 15 minutes north of downtown LA, in La Canada,) for my RETRO SLIDE SHOW Saturday night, FEB 20. Have you ever had a Camellia Martini? Neither have I. This is your chance! As always, festive dress is encouraged but not expected!
Here’s to Trailer Family Portraits, Palm Springs Modernism Show, Descano’s Camellia Forrest and YOU!
Los Angeles, CA
February 10, 2010
I’ll bet the wife handmade the two shirts!
What a great photo! To be back in the mid 50′s would be Heaven!
OHHHHHHH to go back to the 50′s!
Wasn’t it beautiful back then?
“Man. After the fact, it all seems to have gone by SOOOOO FAST.”
…and don’t you think I don’t know who inspired this journey down “trailer lane”, young man. I see a new book coming
(See? “David” thought so, too!)
Awwww heart warming!!
Does anyone else remember the days when most of your clothes were made at home and not purchased in a store???
And I can just picture this happy family holed up inside their lovely trailer home in Palm Springs in the middle of July when the outside temperature can reach 112 degrees! Can we say cooked like canned hams?!
I agree, Charles. This shot is Charles-Phoenix-book-worthy. Outstanding. Thanks for sharing.
LOVE YOUR STUFF !!! WISH I LIVED IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (WHERE I GREW UP IN THE 50′s SO I COULD CATCH ONE OF YOUR TOURS OR SHOWS. MEANWHILE, I ENJOY YOUR EMAIL PICTURES HERE IN BROOKINGS, OREGON.
Man, I love the trailor! Classic design and great color. I would be proud to haul the thing behind a 1955 four door Packard for my next vacation.
Charles, your photos and commentary help to bring a smile to us when our country needs it most. PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!
P.S. I was three years old when the photo was taken.
What a fab picture, as they always are!
We escaped last month to PS for our anniversary. If you’re headed out there any time soon, try to stay at (or at least check out) the Del Marcos Motel. Right downtown and a block east of Palm Canyon Dr, it is classic mid-century, designed by famous PS architect William Cody. The hostesses are exceedingly congenial and Charles, they are a wealth of information! Our other favorite discovery this time was the “Imageville” photo gallery on Indian Canyon. Gary Dorothy captures images from all over the place, and those of PS and its surrounds are stunningly beautiful.
Hope it’s ok to give these shout-outs – these are great places and they made our weekend really special. Wish we could join you for Modernism Week!
I’ve always liked trailers and have read a few books about them. Hope you have a good turnout to your shows.