This black and white photograph of a Tarpon fisherman with bamboo fishing pole was taken in FL in the 1930s or earlier. This is not an original photograph but a high-quality copy of the original photo.
The original belonged to a neighbor of mine in the Florida Keys, a retired judge from Miami who was a charter fisherman. He had a massive collection of old fishing photos from the 1930's thru the 1950s from Miami and the Florida Keys. He only allowed me to take this one photo to get it copied and not long after, he passed away and the rest of the entire collection was lost or taken.
The paper is acid free glossy photo paper and the paper size is 8 1/2 " x 11". The actual photo size is 6" x 9 3/4". It has been stored in an acid free clear sleeve with a separate piece of acid free cardboard backing. The copies are in pristine like new condition and will be shipped in a flat, stiff cardboard mailer.
Note the bamboo fishing pole and the very worn out shoes the man is wearing. He is also wearing wool pants, a white shirt, a white vest, and a white tie. Back then, you had to DRESS for any photo but if you look at his weathered hands and tattered shoes, it is plain to see he was an average Joe...with the biggest fish he'd ever caught in his life. You can see the metal fishing lure near his hand on the pole.
Also note the tarpon : It is as longer than the man is tall. I don't know where this photo was taken but it was probably either Key West or Miami. There are some faint letters on the bottom of the photo. Part of the word Florida is visible and the photographer's studio name is on there but it is very faint in the background and not really legible to the naked eye. I had to take a photograph of the photo to display online, hence the actual image is much nicer in person. I only have 6 copies. I do not have the original.
