By Scott Shephard
My last post was a bit of a commentary on the things that portraits don’t reveal about a subject. Until I found this photo, taken some time in the early 1970s, I hadn’t realized that a photo of a person’s private space can tell you more about a person that even the best of portraits.
So welcome to my bedroom, my inner sanctum, my penthouse, my music room: aka the upper floor of 1501 S. Sherman in Sioux Falls circa 1972. This photo no doubt has much more meaning to me than it does to you but indulge me as I point out a few of the objects present in this 50-year-old time capsule:
A Santana poster (back in the days when things like this were included with vinyl albums). It came with their first album, which included the hit song “Evil Ways.”
Not one but two somewhat vintage record players. The one on the record stand had a turntable that folded down. I guess you’d say it was portable. The turntable on the floor had glowing tubes inside.
A peace symbol cast in gravel
All Things Must Pass - George Harrison’s first solo album after the breakup of the Beatles. It included such hits as “My Sweet Lord” and album’s title track.
Crosby, Stills and Nash’s first album (“Suite: Judy Blue Eyes,” “Marrakesh Express,” “Helplessly Hoping,” etc.)
A telephone book!
A corded touch tone Trimline phone. Most people at this time still had rotary dial phones but my mom worked for Northwestern Bell Telephone and our house got to be an early adapter.
Shag carpeting - color unknown but maybe shades of green?
Near the light switch in the upper left is a stack of Olympia beer cans, bought in Olympia Washington at the Tumwater brewery. I didn’t drink beer back then but my parents let me buy them as a souvenir while on a visit to Aunt Gladys’ house. They were empty, having been emptied by my dad. :-)
Op art on the wall (top right)
Finally, it’s hard to believe but I think that the thick magazine on the arm of the sofa is a Playboy. Would my parents let me display something like this in broad daylight? Not a chance. But wait. Maybe it’s Scientific American. . . .
What does this tell you about the person who inhabited this place at this particular time? Well it’s not the whole story — I can tell you that right now. For example, somewhere in this room there is a Bible. Maybe on my bedside table?
Nevertheless, I think it suggests that I was pretty “normal” back then if being “normal” means being a consumer of popular culture.
Do you have any vintage photos of your bedroom? What might they say about you?
Honeywell Pentax SP500 Exposure Unknown