A Conversation for Picture Quiz: Printed Matter

Large numbners of hobos roamed the U,S. in the late 19th century

Post 1

paulh, vaccinated against the Omigod Variant

A print of a hobo might seem quaint to some of us, but in the late 19th century there were millions of hobos wandering the country.

"Big rock candy mountain" was a song that dated from this era.

I didn't know that Currier and Ives had made this print, but with so ma y hobos around, this would not have been an uncommon scene.


Large numbners of hobos roamed the U,S. in the late 19th century

Post 2

Dmitri Gheorgheni, Post Editor

This picture has nothing to do with hoboes. It's a picture of an impoverished Irishman studying a ship advertisement for moving to the US in the mid-19th Century.


Large numbners of hobos roamed the U,S. in the late 19th century

Post 3

paulh, vaccinated against the Omigod Variant

You know that, and now I know it, too.

Was this common knowledge then?


Large numbners of hobos roamed the U,S. in the late 19th century

Post 4

Dmitri Gheorgheni, Post Editor

Definitely. smiley - smiley Everybody would have recognised the iconography associated with that vast immigration wave caused by the Famine.

Did you know that the Choctaw Nation even raised money to send to Ireland for famine relief? They only had $170 - but they sent it because they wanted to help.


Large numbners of hobos roamed the U,S. in the late 19th century

Post 5

paulh, vaccinated against the Omigod Variant

The full title was apparently "Outward Bound - Dublin"
http://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/363064

At least, I infer that from seeing the website.

Whether the Irishman in the print found a job after his voyage, we can't know.


Large numbners of hobos roamed the U,S. in the late 19th century

Post 6

Dmitri Gheorgheni, Post Editor

Possibly on the railroad, which was being constructed across the country. Earlier, it was the Erie Canal - Stephen Colbert's immigrant ancestor worked there. Go look at Library of Congress photos from Boston and see the shanty towns, you might be interested.


Large numbners of hobos roamed the U,S. in the late 19th century

Post 7

Prof Animal Chaos.C.E.O..err! C.E.Idiot of H2G2 Fools Guild (Official).... A recipient of S.F.L and S.S.J.A.D.D...plus...S.N.A.F.U.

smiley - whistle"be creative!"

Poster! - Wanted! Take part in orgy movies (good rates of pay)?

Nah! They can't afford my prices! Plus I'd have to take a bath smiley - sadfacesmiley - sadface


Large numbners of hobos roamed the U,S. in the late 19th century

Post 8

paulh, vaccinated against the Omigod Variant

I didn't know what Irishmen might wear in Dublin in the 19th century. I just saw the stick and the bundle that was tied to it, and I knew that people don't pack that way any more. I couldn't read what it said on the poster the guy was reading.

A hobo might look at a poster in a train station as he selects which train to take. That's my excuse, and I might as well stick to it.smiley - erm


't


Large numbners of hobos roamed the U,S. in the late 19th century

Post 9

Caiman raptor elk - Inside big box, thinking.

And there was me thinking the man was in a holding pattern waiting for a literate woman to read out the poster for him.

Well, the other options are interesting to hear as well


Large numbners of hobos roamed the U,S. in the late 19th century

Post 10

Dmitri Gheorgheni, Post Editor

That's an interesting take, and quite possible! smiley - laugh


Large numbners of hobos roamed the U,S. in the late 19th century

Post 11

Prof Animal Chaos.C.E.O..err! C.E.Idiot of H2G2 Fools Guild (Official).... A recipient of S.F.L and S.S.J.A.D.D...plus...S.N.A.F.U.

smiley - grr Bloody posh nobs!
Why can't they put posters up with pictures ? for uz kommoners that kan't reed smiley - erm


Large numbners of hobos roamed the U,S. in the late 19th century

Post 12

paulh, vaccinated against the Omigod Variant

It depends on who might want the posters.


Large numbners of hobos roamed the U,S. in the late 19th century

Post 13

Caiman raptor elk - Inside big box, thinking.

Posters with "good" pictures tend to vanish. Especially in cities with a lot of students in need of wallpaper.


Key: Complain about this post