Everett Brown collection at the Bridgton Historical Society

[Bruce Wilson]

This past week, I had a chance to view a photo album that had once been Everett Brown's. I only took the briefest of glances at the individual prints until I came to one of Bridgton locomotive no.7 at Edaville. The photo appears to be from the Atwood era and likely from 1947 - 1949. The photo very typical of early Edaville operations, one of very few from outside of the Bridgton Railroad. I'm convinced the print had been mailed to Mr. Brown, possibly with a letter which I may yet find within the balance of the collection. The undated and uncredited photo had text on the reverse in a very familiar penmanship. I recognized the handwriting as that of the late Channing H. Morse, Jr  of Wareham, Massachusetts. Having corresponded with "Chan" for 25 years, I know his writing style well. I wonder if he'd appreciate having his name added to to the reverse of that photo. I intend to do that on a separate identification card. Have any readers of this post ever had a similar experience? Did you add to the items provenance as I will do? Is there a value to this detail or am I being sentimental?

[Earl Leavitt]

Bruce, Adding the info on a separate card with notation regarding your reasoning is very appropriate. It might not hurt to also include a small  sample copy of Chan's handwriting for added credence. We never know what information will be of value to the next researcher.

[Jeff Schumaker]

Well said, Earl. I completely agree.

Jeff

[Bruce Wilson]

Thank you both Jeff and Earle, that is the plan.

[Warren Disbrow]

I would agree, it never hurts to add information as long as it doesn't modify the original artifact.  I would also include the reason why you think it's the person so that any future researchers have as much information as possible.

[Bruce Wilson]

Hi Warren,
Glad to see you again in the Forum.
My own practice regarding photos, is to include additional information on a separate piece if acid free paper. I like to use either Printfile or Light Impression brands 5"x7" photo pockets. Other sizes for smaller or larger prints. If I have a 5" X 7" print, I will place the notes in the photo pocket above the archival print. I do not write on the archival print. I much prefer to see the photographers notes without my own competing for space.

When Edaville removed much of the historic infrastructure and essentially a chance to get ones bearings, I began to note where the photographer may have been standing. Photos taken along the line may have had some recognizable landmark, now likely long gone.

In 2022, I visited Edaville with another former Edaville employee and engineer. We could find no trace of many one time "fixtures" including some of the original main line trackage that once led out from the water tower  and beyond the coal pocket. While these changes do not affect our memories and abilities to recognize old photo locations, that may not be the case for younger enthusiasts. Our old photos may have no meaning to the next owners of our collections.

While I was interested in learning how others felt about this subject, I had already made up my own mind to provide as much detail as possible. I'm grateful for the interest.

Now, on another subject, namely vintage two foot tickets, let me ask the following of you. Are you aware that in the 1930's, when railfans began to visit the Sandy River and the Bridgton roads, that certain tickets were stamped and dated to simulate earlier cancellation and use? This is evident with many cardstock passenger tickets, backstamped with dates from 1930 to 1935 on the Sandy River lines and later dates on the Bridgton road.

One photographer and well known collector had acquired ticket punches and rubber stamps that he then put to work on vintage un-circulated tickets. Essentially, he "made up" authentic looking used tickets.  In 2025, my suspicions of this were verified when in a collection I purchased, there was a scrap.piece of paper bearing numerous stamp strikes from assorted dater cancellation stamps. Is there any harm to this? I would say no, although if you are a ticket collector and you lay in your tickets by serial number, your cancellation dates may get a little out of whack.

When I found this out, I remembered the absolute character that Lawrence "Brownie" Brown was, and had a good laugh at thinking of him making up his vintage tickets for sale to other collectors. Lawrence was a "scrounger" of the finest order and picked up everything and anything two foot. We are all lucky to have had him as one of the early fans and photographers. His photos are prized to me.

There are many unanswered questions still to be heard in our hobby, it's a lot of fun to try and figure out the answers. Thanks for reading and please comment with your own experiences.

[Philip Marshall]

Now, on another subject, namely vintage two foot tickets, let me ask the following of you. Are you aware that in the 1930's, when railfans began to visit the Sandy River and the Bridgton roads, that certain tickets were stamped and dated to simulate earlier cancellation and use? This is evident with many cardstock passenger tickets, backstamped with dates from 1930 to 1935 on the Sandy River lines and later dates on the Bridgton road.

I have suspected as much, seeing some apparent mismatches of ticket designs and cancellation dates, but had never been sure.

[Bruce Wilson]

Philip, What tipped me off about Bridgton tickets, was an 1880's "excursion" card stock (1 3/4" X 3 3/16") version with a "sold on train" stamp and dated June 11,1930. This one (serial no. A41571) is also stamped from Twin Lakes to Lakeside.

I also have (serial no. A41513) dater cancelled from Harrison on July 4, 1923. This ticket is stamped for passage between Harrison and Twin Lake.

The excursion tickets with the serial numbers having an "A" prefix seem to be rather uncommon. I have 28 of these all unused and just two (the ones noted above) that are used.

The vast majority of Bridgton excursion tickets (without the "A" prefix) are used/dated during the 1880's and have handwritten origin / destination. A few issued from Bridgton Junction, Bridgton or Harrison have those origin or destinations stamped.

My contention is that in the late 1930's, the Bridgton enthusiasts discovered the treasures of the Bridgton depot attic. Long summer nights may have been passed with friends, creating a few special tickets. Sold or given to fellow excursion riders, these became souvenirs. Ink pads, old ticket punches and little used station stamps likely were brought out when other projects (such as painting) could not be done, maybe due to rain showers, etc.

It seems that Mr. Brown visited old depots on the various two footers and added to his own collection. No doubt he traded or bought/sold with other collectors he knew, such as Keith Pratt, Eliot Steward and Linwood Moody.

If anyone is interested, I can e-mail images of these tickets.