Nothing to fear -- collage of faces from 1940

collage book made from vintage yearbook
I'm still obsessed with the vintage high school yearbook I found at a thrift store. I wasn't satisfied with my first tiny book collage, so I made another. This one is a little more serious. Ok, way more serious.

I started by reading the handwritten notes scribbled across the pages. What did these kids from 1940, just about to enter adulthood, have to say to the yearbook's owner, Marjorie?
collage book made from vintage yearbook
I copied some of the notes onto a red Gelli-plate printed background. The students' handwriting was much neater than my own. I guess they took penmanship more seriously.
collage book made from vintage yearbook
Marjorie must have been popular -- classmates repeatedly called her "swell" and "nice."
collage book made from vintage yearbook
These kids weren't that different from my own high school class. Except what they'd just lived through -- the Great Depression -- and what they were about to face -- World War II. I wondered how many of the boys found themselves in the forests of France or the jungles of Pacific Islands. 

How many wouldn't live to see 1945? These thoughts shaped the other side of the collage book.
collage book made from vintage yearbook
Like fragile butterflies, these kids were flying into the horrific historical events to come.
collage book made from vintage yearbook
They don't know what's coming. 
collage book made from vintage yearbook
Here's what the book looks like, end to end. I wrote "Class of 1940" on the red side and on the other, "Nothing to fear but fear itself."
collage book made from vintage yearbook

My collages are often a little silly. This one isn't. And I'm proud of it.


Comments

  1. Wow I love the card look on the red side, it seems half King and half Queen,, and loved the other side, like they made a metamorphosis and became the beautiful butterflies, so they weren't really gone, just transformed, lovely idea!

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  2. This is a rather cool idea! Your handwriting is great! I wish I could write like that.

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    1. That's the first time ANYONE has every said that to me!!!! Usually it's "WHAT does that say?"

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  3. This really is a wonderful book and you should be proud Claudia! It serves as a tribute to those who came before us and went through times that we must be thankful for not having to see in our lifetime! Very well done- I believe this is my new favorite of yours(for the time being at least) heehee

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  4. At the end of the day our art is a reflection. Thank goodness it is NOT all serious. I do like what you have done with your vintage yearbook theme.

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