Blue Boy

No, a Different One

Aug 08, 2022

∙ Paid

If, against the greatest odds, you’ve happened to come across this intriguing portrait, do you recall your first reaction? It was probably the same as many of you who are now seeing it for the first time: hard to describe. The original was in black and white and was much easier to believe it dates back to the nineteenth century. It looked like to me that a little color might enhance it so I colorized it, or rather a really cool algorithm colorized it.

Anyway, it’s one of those things that once seen cannot be unseen. I know absolutely nothing about it and I have not found it anywhere else on the web, at least colorized. Perhaps I could find it in black and white. Hang on - I’m going to try……….. yep, there it is. I found it on a “top 40 Halloween nightmare” site but still with no info accompanying it so I guess that means we’re free to make up whatever we want about it.

So sure, I’m willing to accept it as someone’s idea of a nifty Halloween outfit. I may have even gone there myself, although I doubt I could have looked at myself in the mirror. But for just one instant, let’s imagine that it is not an entirely too clever costume but that this guy dressed like this everyday. If he did, he probably had an office job; I just can’t see him working with a blacksmith or on a construction site. Or maybe this was his Sunday-go-to-meetin’ attire and he showed up dressed to a tee to give the girls a thrill, and maybe some of the guys too. I think he means well and perhaps isn’t even aware that he’s causing so many double takes. I wonder if he wasn’t just blending in with his contemporaries in school who were also of the same fashion bent. Wouldn’t you gravitate to someone like him if he reflected your sartorial values? Say no more.

Yes, I’ve shown cards before that were simply meant to cause shocked bemusement upon pulling them out of their envelopes but really I’ve got to do it again. Doesn’t just the idea of sending this to someone you know start you to giggling? It does me.

Here’s an offer for you: the first reader to send me an entertaining (not necessarily plausible) explanation of this photo will receive the card and envelope free of charge. Otherwise, go here and stock up: HERE