Augustus Sherman

If anyone has any doubts the US is a nation of immigrants, these photographs dispel that myth. Even if the subjects are all Europeans....

http://www.nps.gov/media/photo/gallery.htm?id=6529EB6C-155D-451F-67DEBAD6F88DCF07

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...eople-settled-States-passed-Ellis-Island.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/...ooked-like-when-they-arrived-on-ellis-island/

Regards, Art

Wow, interesting portraits, thanks for sharing those!

Aperture has a book Augustus F. Sherman: Ellis Island Portraits 1905-1920.
Over 100 prints and an essay, with photograph of both coming and going people. For example Emma Goldman who was deported from Ellis Island was photographed on her way to Russia.
What I found interesting was the approach to clothing the immigrants took. In Canada we have developed a "multicultural society" as opposed to the "melting pot " of the US.
Despite putting on their "sunday best", on arrival, for the immigration officials, the immigrants couldn't wait to dispose of their primitive ethnic dress and get modern American style clothes in order to fit in.
Sherman caught them on film, in the in between, while they wore there most unique and individual dress. Indeed the styles of dress defined some nationalities images.
Now when we think of Dutch dress we think of the Volendam area. And when we think of the Greek army skirt dress we think of the foustenellla originally from Albania.
Great Book, good production values

Thank you for reminding me of Augustus Sherman's work.

If any of you are traveling to New York City, Ellis Island is worth a whole day's visit.