Oregon, August 1939. "Unemployed lumber worker goes with his wife to the bean harvest. Note Social Security number tattooed on his arm." (And now a bit of Shorpy scholarship/detective work. A public records search shows that 535-07-5248 belonged to one Thomas Cave, born July 1912, died in 1980 in Portland. Which would make him 27 years old when this picture was taken.)
The Depression would have been a little less depressing if you had had Mr. Cave handling your wood or harvesting your beans, wouldn't it?
Or flicking my bean.
ReplyDeleteI have the worst crush on him. Hot couple!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photo. Thanks for posting this.
ReplyDeleteHarvesting my beans, ideed!
ReplyDeletesomeone who tattoos their SSN onto their arm is an imbecile, albeit a hunky, fuckable one.
ReplyDeletedid he need to memorize it? or did his mind go blank at the tattoo parlor & MOTHER just wasn't fliiping his skirt?
That's one cave I wouldn't mind exploring, in a 1930s sense, of course.
ReplyDeleteAnd as for the SSN number, back then, who'd have thought of using one for fraud purposes. He probably had it tatoo'd on because the dimbulb couldn't remember it.
They're a beautiful couple.
ReplyDeleteThe Social Security Act was signed in 1935 ,, So it was a requirement by 1939 to apply for all jobs.. Since this was a relatively new thing for most and in order to remember , Thomas just tattoed it to his arm and was very proud to show it off.. Yes! he his extremly hot looking ,, but I dont think his wife ( Ann Kathryn ) seems too pleased..
ReplyDeleteokay brbette, i think i get it now.....his tattoo is like a "pray for our troops" ribbon sticker on the back of a minivan.
ReplyDeleteThats the way I see's it normadesmond
ReplyDeleteA judicious change of wardrobe, and they could easily
ReplyDeletebe a soignee couple seen at El Morroco, The Persian
Room or The Stork Club, don't you think? It seems to illustrate the tragedy of circumstance. Saddest thing
I ever saw...
I love those rough but gentle guy from the Golden Era of sexyness!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous shot. Timeless. Dreamy dude.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy I just found your sexy blob today :)