If I have counted correctly and not overlooked any images, this is the 13th photo of John Costello in my collection. The 13th, and possibly final, photo I will ever see of my great-grandfather.
The Costellos weren’t big on photos. John didn’t like to have his photo taken. He didn’t even like his photo to be shared. So, there weren’t very many to start with and there aren’t very many that remain.
This photo isn’t good. Unless of course, you are interested in that bracket on the truck – then it is excellent. I would prefer some nice crisp focus on Grandpa Costello’s face, darn it!
However.
The truck details are very interesting to me. Is this truck the one that Grandpa used for work? 1949 is the last year that John Costello had an occupation listed in the Spokane city directory. He is listed as an “expmn” or expressman.
His occupation in Spokane varied between these different names that all likely refer to the same general business:
- junk business
- junkman
- junk dealer
- salesman
- expressman
- express driver – proprietor wagon
- used tires
- operator retail tire shop
- self-employed
The back of the photo just states his name and the year of 1949:
The lettering on the driver’s door of the truck is puzzling. I think it reads:
UNDER
FOOD
GROSS
Ummmm… that really doesn’t make sense. Here is a zoomed crop of the door:
Any thoughts for me on what else it might say or what on earth it means?
UPDATE – my awesome cousin Heather made a very logical suggestion down there in the comments. I think she is correct – the door very likely reads “UNDER 2000 GROSS”. Thank you, Heather!
Strange lettering aside, this seems like a very good candidate to be his work truck. What do you think?
Maybe I shouldn’t be too disappointed that Grandpa Costello’s face isn’t in focus. After all, I might not have thought much about the truck otherwise. 😉
Every one of those 13 photos is a blessing – a different glimpse into the life of my very mysterious great-grandfather.
Happy Thursday!! I hope you will preserve and share a precious photo very soon. xoxo