Talking Pictures

My darling mother sent me a link to a column on mentalfloss by a dude named Ransom Riggs called Talking Pictures. He started collecting old photos at swapmeets and antique stores that had writing on the back of them. Though often it is just boring identifying information, sometimes you find really funny, revealing, emotional, surprising notes that transform the photo from something kind of anonymous into something really personal.

Here are a few of my favorites, though there are so many good ones it is hard to choose the best:

"This lipstick is mine. Always, Anna."


"This is the bum Gloria is in love with."

"From Billy Smith, To Thelma, my SweetHeart."


"In the sun."


"1968. Esther. New teeth."

"I think I'll marry this one. He is beautiful and brings out the best in me."


"Aint I a stinker?"



Doesn't it make you want to turn over every photo that you find? See more of his Talking Picture treasures archived here.