UPDATE: This photo of Dorothy Soderlund was purchased on eBay last May. Her niece, Nancy, discovered the photo on eWillys and wondered if an eWillys reader purchased the photo? As you can read in the comments, Nancy thought a great deal of her aunt Dorothy. If you purchased the photo, either comment below or contact me directly d @ evillys.com to learn more about Dorothy from Nancy.
Isn’t this an unusual photo? Based on the folded caption on the back of the photo, Dorothy Soderlund was a State Department Employee who is holding a trophy made from a bomb casing and a baseball signed by Eisenhower (possibly Dwight).
Imagine what would be the results if you tried to carry that bomb trophy home in your luggage today!
Dorothy was my beloved aunt. (Yes, she worked for the State Department and then later, for the Ford Foundation in NYC.) She died when I was a teen, and I always thought it was unfair I couldn’t know her longer. l I would love to learn if that photo is still available; I would love the opportunity to beg, borrow, or purchase it. Thanks for any help you might offer.
Hi Nancy,
After some searching, I think it was this company: http://www.ebay.com/usr/vintageimagephotos that had the photo on ebay. So, you might try contact the seller to see if the photo sold or not. That’s the best suggestion I have.
It’s also possible that an eWillys reader bought it. I can repost this to see if we can find out who. Perhaps, at the very least, we can get you a photographic copy.
If you have any more questions, feel free to email me at dave @ ewillys.com
Thanks,
– Dave
Nancy, I hope you find the pic of your Aunt. Interesting story, are you a regular on the ewillys site, or how did you become aware of pic?
Dave, what do you think of the headlights on jeep – dirt, OD overspray or some attempt to dim down the lights?
Thank you, Dave. I would love for you to repost it, in hopes it was an eWillys reader who purchased it and I can make contact with him/her! I would mostly like to tell them a little about my aunt, the subject of the photo, in case they find it interesting. She led a very interesting life. I was able to obtain a scan of the photo from the eBay seller; she had kept a scan, but sold the original, and apparently isn’t helping me make contact with whoever bought it, at least so far.
And Mark S., no I’m not, or wasn’t, an eWillys regular, but maybe I will be now!
Thanks again!
–Nancy
Nancy,
I will update the publishing date so it will queue for tomorrow morning’s posts. It will be unavailable until then.
– Dave
Since it was a wire services photo, if she wants an original there has to be more than one copy out there somewhere.
If she can’t make contact with the person that bought this one she may be able to find another one for sale either within or outside the internet. There are ephemera shows that may have dealers selling these photos, and even though it’s a longshot I’ve seen wire services photos selling at collectable/antique flea markets.
She was an attractive woman and must have had quite an adventurous spirit. You can also look up the history of the jeep by the numbers on the bumper I believe.
Thanks, everyone. I appreciate your suggestions, and I’ll look into all avenues.
Mark S., you asked how I became aware of the photo. I was searching for info about Dorothy online, which I do occasionally, just in case; sometimes I find something new or interesting, depending on how I word the search. Imagine how thrilling it was to see this photo!
Dorothy was 27, working as a war correspondent for the State Department, at the time of the photo. She left her hometown of Seattle as soon as she graduated high school, found work in D.C. and had a great career traveling the world. Died of cancer way too young. I just shared this photo with my father, Dorothy’s young brother, at his 87th birthday party last night. He was so tickled to see it.
I’ll keep checking in at eWillys, Thanks, everyone!