Lyndes H E (1 results)

Unbound. Condition: Near Fine. 18 oversize original black and white photographs used as postcards measuring 5" x 7" to 5" x 8". All photos are near fine with occasional creasing and some edgewear from mailing. A collection of 18 black and white photographs taken by American Air Force Maintenance tech, H.E. Lyndes, while he was stationed in Thailand between 1970 and 1971 during the Vietnam conflict. On the verso of each he has written to his family using the prints as homemade postcards, explaining each photo in detail and inquiring about home. The photographs depict life in Thailand from basket weaving to open air markets to little children playing, each with commentary. In a letter to his daughter in October of 1970 on the back of a photo of a young girl carving wood, Lyndes writes, "in Chiang Mai some of the best wood carvers are young girls. This girl can't be more than 20 or so yet she is one of their most skilled carvers. I might add that she has been at this occupation since she was seven years old. I know it doesn't sound like much fun, but these girls take a great deal of pride in their work. They are real experts at something and they know it!" In November he wrote to his family on the back of a photo of a man making a reed bowl, "There is just so much to learn about this new operation. Relatively speaking it is a little operation but having never sat in this "seat" before and having never had much to do with this type of aircraft it does indeed take a while to get the hang of things." The postcards offer a glimpse at life abroad during the Vietnam conflict, by focusing on amateur photography he was able to capture the Thai people in their daily activities.