December, 1924

Bright Eyes! Mischievious One! Cole! Last night I went to the "puestos"- they are booths filled with Xmas things which line the "Alameda" - our large and beautiful park - this time of year - I came upon a Merry-go-Round for an hour - watched it's futile - whirling chase after some mocking joy - and I wished that I had several little boys to ride with on the horses and camels and giraffes - but I did not - so my sadness was intensified - and all I could do was to wish for you!

Are your eyes as bright as ever? Do you still do things which afterward you find out were wrong - and tearfully wonder why? Silly this right and wrong business! Well don't waste all of your tears now - they may come in handy later on - for to cry without tears hurts much worse!
I have your picture on the wall and a letter with many xxxxx - send another - I have a funny little - ugly little room - which is saved from being too ugly to live in because I have geraniums in the window - potted - bright colored - flaming geraniums -
- and now good-bye - and I bet I can send more kisses than you can!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
 

Undated

Dear Dear Daddy

When are you coming home. Are you homesick. I have a black cat. Her name is Blacky. We are cleaning up the yard a little. Cut down a big tree for the grate.

I love you

Cole

January 5, 1938

Here is your stipend dear boy. We are with Frederick Sommer (photographer) for a few days.
Cold nights! Awaken stiff - -
Have no mail for two weeks, so don't know what's been going on. Hope you had a grand holiday. Real regret that we missed, but I've determined to make Seattle - if I get an extension - which will be better.
Will write more from L.A. Do write me a line of news.

All love, Dad
 

September 24, 1944

Dear Pops,

Received your letter today, also had my interview. It went like this, "well what do you want?" Photography, "no photography!" but you see I have been - "no photography!!" I only want to tell - "no photography!!!" but - "no photography!!!!" etc. until I got so damned mad I could hardly talk, he wouldn't let me get a word out, so he put down 1st choice aviation metalsmith, no 2nd. Well I decided I had a raw deal so I went to the head lieutenant in charge, the interviewer was just a stinker 2nd class P.O. All I did was mention the name Steichen and his face lit up then my association with photography and how all I wanted was a chance to show what I could do. He phoned a higher up and said he had an XRT here with exceptional photography abilities etc. etc. I practically blushed. I didn't know I was such a convincing talker. Well there still wasn't anything they could do. I just hit it at the wrong time. Photography was shut tight as a clam. My only hope would be to go to a service school then get a letter from Steichen, present it to my C.O. and that would do the trick. But there still remains one little hitch and that is my color vision. When the lieutenant learned about this he just about gave up hope. You see all photographers in the Navy have to qualify for air combat crews which means its almost all aerial reconnaissance work, at least the school is. He said though that a letter might get me in anyway and wished me the best of luck. Color vision is the most important single disqualifying element in the Navy. You may as well be crippled, blind, deaf, etc. for all the jobs they have for a color blind man. Its very discouraging; cooks, bakers, grease monkeys etc. Well I will know my fate in a day or so. I still haven't given up on photo.

All my love

Cole

September 18, 1945

Cole Boy -

After talking with Ansel- He thinks nothing better on market than Ansco (Agfa) 8 x10; be sure it is a late model with swing in front and long bellows (36 inches at least). Ansel says "Commercial" model. If you can buy a 2nd hand do so, because Graflex Inc. is coming out with an 8 x 10 (perhaps) which is last word, etc.

Ansel does not recomend coated lens for general use. However you can always get one coated after buying if you so decide.Lens buying is a problem. If you find Cook Triple convertible like mine or Ansel's - it's tops. In any event don't be hasty. For an 8 x 10, 3 focus lens, the doublet should be about 12 inches; Cook elements are 19 and 26 inch. In buying a convertible lens it is important to consider the quality of front and back combinations. Why not wait until you get back to the coast?
Ansel says no on 8 x 10 - I quote him because he is a dealer (one reason).
I would write Veteran Administration about land in this vicinity for G.I.'s.

Love to you and dear wife

Pops