Now Is Then: Snapshots from the Maresca Collection

Now Is Then S N A P S H OTS F R O M T H E M A R ES C A CO L L EC T I O N

Marvin Heiferman with essays by Geoffrey Batchen and Nancy Martha West

P RIN CE TO N A RCH I T ECT U R A L P RES S , N E W YO RK T H E N E WA R K M US EU M

Published by Princeton Architectural Press 37 East Seventh Street New York, New York 10003 In cooperation with The Newark Museum 49 Washington Street Newark, New Jersey 07102 For a free catalog of books, call 1.800.722.6657.

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“Now Is Then: The Thrill and the Fate of Snapshots” © 2008 Marvin Heiferman “Telling Time: Found Photographs and the Stories They Inspire” © 2008 Nancy Martha West “From Infinity to Zero” © 2008 Geoffrey Batchen All rights reserved Printed and bound in China 11 10 09 08 4 3 2 1 First edition No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without written permission from the publisher, except in the context of reviews.

All snapshots are from the collection of The Newark Museum, gift of Frank Maresca, accession numbers 2002.59.1–320, 2003.43.1–42, 2005.59.1–5, 2007.14.1–76.

All snapshots except those on pages 1, 10, 40–48, 78–81, 120–123, and 160 are reproduced herein at their original sizes.

All captions are transcribed as they were written, without corrections.

Frontispiece: ca. 1930s Every reasonable attempt has been made to identify owners of copyright.

Errors or omissions will be corrected in subsequent editions.

Project editor: Clare Jacobson Copy editor: Elisa Urbanelli Designer: Arnoud Verhaeghe Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Heiferman, Marvin.

Now is then : snapshots from the Maresca Collection / Marvin Heiferman ; with essays by Geoffrey Batchen and Nancy Martha West.—1st ed. p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN 978-1-56898-748-4 (alk. paper) 1. Photography—United States—History—20th century—Exhibitions. 2. Maresca, Frank—Photograph collections— Exhibitions. 3. United States—Social life and customs—20th century—Pictorial works—Exhibitions. 4. Photographs— History—20th century—Exhibitions. 5. Photographic criticism—Exhibitions. I. Batchen, Geoffrey. II. West, Nancy Martha, 1963- III. Newark Museum. IV. Title.

TR23.H45 2008 770.973—dc22 2007024897

Contents

Foreword Mary Sue Sweeney Price 6

Now Is Then: The Thrill and the Fate of Snapshots Marvin Heiferman 40

Telling Time: Found Photographs and the Stories They Inspire Nancy Martha West 78

From Infinity to Zero Geoffrey Batchen 120

Interview with Frank Maresca Marvin Heiferman 160

10 | Circa 1941

11 |

a b ov e :

ca. 1940s; opp o si t e : ca. 1930s. Detail of hand-painted display card with snapshots attached.

12 | ca. 1920s

13 | 1969

14 | ca. 1950s.

b ac k :

Just a bunch of asses.

15 | ca. 1940s

16 | ca. 1950s

17 | ca. 1920s

18 | ca. 1940s–1950s

b ac k : Dear Aunt Myra, How are you now.

I thought I would send you my dining table. Your Newphew, Vernon.

Your see I got through Atlantic ave. all right. Don’t Worry.

19 | ca. 1910s. Photo postcard.

20 | ca. 1930s.

b ac k :

Shelly Bradley

b ac k : and such a joy to watch. She talks and plays all day long, and has a grin a mile wide. Haven’t heard how Dick’s wedding was, and would enjoy hearing first-hand from you. I know you must be happy with your new family. Our love to you and George. Dottie.

21 | ca. 1950s.

b ac k : This is the Canadian black bear at Delaware Gap. Some cage huh.

22 | ca. 1930s–1940s.

23 | ca. 1950s

24 | ca. 1920s

26 | ca. 1940s

27 | ca. 1940s.

b ac k :

Vera Thomas

25 | ca. 1940s

b ac k : Doll dressed by Viola Surendon Howard for Kings Daughters and sold on chances.

28 | ca. 1940s.

29 |

THIS IS A KODACOLOR PRINT MADE BY EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY. Week of Oct. 17, 1949

b ac k :

30 |

THIS IS A KODACOLOR PRINT MADE BY EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY. Week of Oct. 17, 1949

b ac k :

31 | ca. 1940s

32 |

Erna and Lupe holding each other, the wind blows hard. (Background Seriapolis, January 2nd, 1960)

b ac k :

33 | Snapshot mounted on photo album paper.

footlocker. 4-4-43

b ac k :

This is my

34 | ca. 1940s