Copyrighted Photograph 1908 by W.H. Martin, Ottawa, Kans.

#somereallygoodones, #whmartin, #exaggerationpostcard, #gigantism

The beginning of the twentieth century brought with it the ability to reproduce photographs cheaply on postcard stock and the publication of a series of “exaggeration” postcards by W. H. Martin featuring giant fruits, vegetables and animals, the stuff of folklore, celebrating America’s abundance and expansiveness. If nothing else, they’re funny and charming and fulfill some odd fantasy about greatness. These were visual “tall tales” in the tradition of Johnny Appleseed, Davy Crockett, and John Henry. This kind of trick photography involved forced perspective but mostly cutting and pasting and rephotographing. The titles changed from state to state announcing local bragging rights albeit using the same images.

#somereallygoodones, #theunseeneye, #wmhunt, #collectiondancingbear, #collectionblindpirate, #greatphotographs, #howilookatphotographs, #photographsfromtheunconsicous, #collectingislikerunningaroundinathunderstormhopingyoullbehitbylightning, #aphotographsogooditmakesyoufartlightning, #photographychangedmylifeitgavemeone, #whmartin, #exaggerationpostcard, #gigantism