Pink Plush Album

This album belonged to my husband's grandmother, Fay Parker. It must have been quite impressive when new. I've read in novels of the Victorian and Edwardian eras about 'plush albums' -- I think this may be one, covered as it is in pink velvet.

The pages are beautiful with special slots for pictures. I have no idea who the dour group of four are but the three in the other picture are Annie and Walter Parker with young Fay between them.

 

I do wish I knew who this saucy minx was!

This is, alas, the only picture in the album that's identified. On its back, in fading pencil it says "1887 - Kissimmee, Florida" and gives three names. The first is completely illegible, the second is James T___, and the third is Walter Parker -- my husband's maternal great grandfather.

Kissimmee (a Seminole Indian name with the accent on the second syllable) was a cow town. As late as the 1950's Florida had more cattle than Texas, believe it or not. 

These three look like fellas in a saloon, waiting for a fight to break out. Look at the rakish tilt of Walter's hat!

Looks are deceiving. Walter went on to become a respectable business man and owner of a big hotel in Tampa. 

Here are some more pictures from the pink plush album.