Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Uncle Nano 2 - The Hunter

Here's the next one in my series of "Houston Memories Card," based on Sian's Captured in a Card idea and using my May counterfeit kit.  For this card, I used the card sketch challenge posted on the Counterfeit Kit blog.  It's a great  sketch!
This card is also about my Uncle Nano.  You can see the first of his cards in this post.  This one reads "My Uncle Nano used to love to hunt in a place called 'The Big Thicket.'  There were lots of deer and antelope heads mounted and displayed throughout his house, but his real trophies were a boar's head and a rug made from a mountain lion hide.  I remember being totally fascinated by their preserved teeth and marble eyes.  We actually drove up there once. The mosquitoes were so thick that Uncle Nano threw my dad a bottle of 'Off!' insect repellent and shouted,'Here Pete, take a bath!'  I don't think we kids ever got out of the car.  Decades later, my sister Cordelia and I worked with a Realtor to sell the property as part of settling Aunt Vera's estate.  I actually think he sold it to someone who intended to use it as a hunting lodge."
And here's the scrapbook page I made to go along with it:
I don't really know anything about this photograph, as I found it in a book about Latino history in Houston, Texas that I found in my Aunt's house.  I guessed it was circa 1925, as my Uncle looks younger than when he married my Aunt in 1933.  I'll ask around to see if anyone knows any more about it, and I left some space to explain whatever I find out. At first, I thought it must be a military picture, but perhaps my Uncle Nano really hunted on horseback? The other thing I don't quite understand is that the photograph has the name of a Houston photography studio on the back (Cantu Studios), which makes me wonder who took the photograph and how.  Did studios in those days shoot on location? Or did my Uncle Nano bring this horse and his outfit to the studio? Speaking of which, I don't ever remember anything about my Uncle owning a horse! Very curious.  Anyone have any guesses about the photograph or knowledge of photography studio conventions in the U.S. in the 1920's?

19 comments:

Lisa said...

Love your two cards they look like great vintage creations. Thanks for sharing

laurie said...

your card has such rustic colors and character - very unique!

Ginger said...

You sure have been busy Rinda :) I'm enjoying your Uncle Nano's stories, how fun it must be for you to document them!

Amy said...

We recently found some old photos on my husbands side of the family with equally as intriguing questions, I am not sure what happened in those studios! I am also thinking that you are gathering lots of good family information through these projects - it is great to read the unfolding story of your relatives!

scrappyjacky said...

Uncle Nano sounds like a real character....I wonder if the the photo is a 'studio pose' and they provided the horse??

Jimjams said...

Two gorgeous creations - love the horse photo - great stories too.

Sian said...

Oh how I wish I could have met Uncle Nano! That's an amazing photo and a great choice to give it so much space on your page

Alison said...

I was going to say the same as Jackie..maybe studios provided 'model' horses? Great stories..and I can just feel these mosquitoes!
Alison xx

Becky said...

I'm really enjoying these stories of your Uncle Nano. I love the card and the photo of him on the horse.

Irene said...

Maria - Cantu Studios was owned and operated by Mr. Cantu (LOL). It was a family run studio and as far as I know the only spanish speaking photographer, plus he was a good photographer. I'm positive that Mr. Cantu did not have a horse in his Studio as the studio was in Downtown Houston. I have many photos with Cantu Studios marked in the back. I used Cantu Studios when I took my graduation pictures back in 1975. The Studio is now closed but I know someone who is related to Mr. Cantu and will update you with more information. As for the horse, I am told by my neighbor that many families had a family horse back in those days. Love this page about your Uncle Nano.

Cheryl said...

love your cards and what an amazing phot history x

Maria@BubblegumandDuctTape said...

very interesting. Seems like you have more questions than answers. I'm curious too now, hmm. My guess is that he went to the photographer on horseback. Hope you find out more about this picture.

Jennifer Grace said...

The card and page are both such great colours. I like the lion in the background of the card. And what fabulous memories of an interesting man! x

Margie said...

Love the beautiful colors and vintage feel of these!

GlorV1 said...

Rinda, your cards are really getting very interesting. I like that they have stories behind them and what a great idea. Love this card.

nancy y said...

not sure if this will help answer the question, but we have some old photos of my Great Grandfather and some of his sons with the spoils of their hunt (phesants) and my Mom thinks that back then photographers would "travel to location" since most people did not have their own cameras.

I'm really enjoying your Houston memory cards, it's a really great idea and made me think of the trips I took to Minnesota and some of the great memories. Now might be the time to document!

Susanne said...

Oh I like what you've done here. Keep telling those stories.

Tricia said...

Sounds like you have a mystery to solve. Great job researching and preserving your family history. What a treasure!

Tara O said...

That photo is a true treasure!!! Love the LO!