Sometime around 1910, two young men had a postcard portrait made together.
The photograph appears to have been made at a studio, but there is no indication on the postcard of the location or of the date.
The young men bear some similarities of features, and may be brothers or close relatives.
It is also possible, of course, that these are friends from school or from a shared community or organization..
It would be of interest to know if the photograph celebrated an event such as the wedding of one of the young men.
Despite the formal pose, typical of photographs of the period, the young men do exhibit some differences.
The boy on the right has a calm expression on his classically-handsome face.
His partner has a more brooding look which might suggest a more complicated or rakish character – although any interpretation is entirely speculative.
The pose suggests some degree of familiarity as the arm of the young man on the right is resting on the leg of the other young man.
Most photographs of the time, regardless of gender or actual feeling, positioned the subjects with signs of affectionate closeness.
The reverse of the postcard has the name “Edgar Simpson” in the place of the address – but it is impossible to tell if this person was the recipient of the photograph or if one of the young men is named Edgar.
One hopes that the young men achieved happiness and success in the 20th century.
