My cousin emailed this photo to me today, but we can’t figure out where it was taken. The two young girls are my grandmother, Leona Edna Mae Whitley (Right) and her younger sister, Coralee Whitley, natives of Berkeley, CA. I would assume this picture was taken around 1930 even though it is dated “Oct 27 1938.” Leona and Coralee were born in 1924 & 1925 so that would make them 14 and 13 respectively, and they are clearly not that old.
Was this picture actually taken in Sacramento, or on a boat known as “The Sacramento?” If the former, was it the Delta King, or its sister ship, the Delta Queen? Hmmm…another research project.
My grandmother passed away in 2004 so, my first step will be to ask my Aunt Coralee who is 89 years old. Hopefully, she will remember this photo.
The backside of this photo reads: “GENUINE KRYSTAL GLOSS – GUARANTEED FOREVER – BEAR PHOTO SERVICE -OCT. 27 1938”
I Googled “Bear Photo Service” and found the following links:
Palo Alto Historical Association – Photograph Collection
Hello there,
I can't tell you the exact location of the shot, but Bear Photo Service seem to have been operating in California (mainly San Francisco and Berkley).
http://www.vintagephoto.tv/bearenvelope.shtml
I just came across a Bear Photo Service image as well, stamped March of 1931. I don't have a location but the family lived in Union City CA.
I have one, too.. my father, taken by my grandmother, on March 6 1940… and the gurantee is still unchallenged… the photo finish is still perfect!
Several of my family's photos bear the bear imprint and the "forever" guarantee is certainly worth – the finish is still in fine shape after well over 80 years.
Thank you for the information!