I've had this photo on my desk for so long I've forgotten why, but it fits in with last Sunday's post on the sustainability of men's suits. 
Look at the gent above on the left. I'd wear that suit today. I'll most likely wear its modern twin this afternoon. The photo, property of the Georgia Historical Society, shows Georgia's first cotton bale of 1927. Presumably the first at that gin.An incredible story most likely lies in this photo. The Civil War Vet with pride of place, front and center was likely the planter, in his new, summer, go to church, hat all dolled up for pay day. The white suits, mostly money men, sharecroppers on the sides. A dozen years later came the mechanical cotton picker, forever changing life in the South. Try Nicholas Lemann's book "The Promised Land" or "The warmth of other suns" by Isabel Wilkerson for a great insight into the largest, peacetime, human migration in history.
Toad
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10 comments:
and you would look might fine in that suit Mr. Toad!
Currently reading Anne Edwards' biography of Peggy Marsh (AKA Margaret Mitchell). About half way through - it's a good read!
Wow. That Photo brings back a rush of memories...I was born in a tiny clinic less than a hundred yards from a cotton gin, and spent the first 8 months of my life in a little house across the RR tracks only a few yards farther on. I picked cotton as a child in the early 1950's...still remember the distinct smell of cotton, remember the long Tow Sack dragging behind me. Good Lord, you've triggered a memory-story, too long for here...
Linda, I'd love to hear your story some day. Hope I got the details close to right.
Toad, that's a deal...I've been thinking about the White Sunday Suits on those guys in your picture, and remembering the denim overalls or plaid shirts and dark twill pants on the North Alabama farmers of my childhood - maybe the Georgia guys dressed up for the event!
Scroll and read about cotton factoring in Savannah GA, including details about your marvelous photo:
http://rockysmith.wordpress.com/2009/12/15/the-savannah-cotton-exchange/
-F
I'm stunned. I love showing up here every day! Thank you T you have made my week.
"Thank you T you have made my week."
Who is "T" ?
So Flo I can't spell F/T it's all looks the same without my new goggles on.
I thought just seeing the photo was great - having the backstory is icing on the cake + whipped cream and a cherry!
Linda, I would love to hear your story, too.
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