For several years now I have been collecting postcards and photographs from throughout the four-county region of the Catskills. Most of my purchases have focused on specific requirements, perhaps a particular photographer, or a certain location, and some items for my Catskills: Then and Now series.

Every once in a while though I will come across a postcard or photograph that does not fit a particularly category, but will nonetheless capture my attention. That was certainly the case with this vintage postcard titled “The Foot Race, Loch Sheldrake, N.Y.”

In this vintage postcard five young men speedily take off at the beginning of an apparently very serious foot race at the hamlet of Loch Sheldrake in Sullivan County, New York. All the young men are well dressed, each wearing nice pants and dress shirts, and three of them wearing ties. Given the stylish clothes and the large cross that looms above them in the background, perhaps the race was taking place after a Sunday church service. Also in the background, just behind the young men, an older man gleefully jumps in the air, perhaps signaling the start of the race.

Each of the young men take off with sheer determination, as seen in their facial expressions, speeding their way down the dirt road to an unseen finish line. One can only imagine what the challenge was or what was at stake for these five young men to inspire such determination.

The postcard was published by L. G. Laidlaw as part of his Artino Series. The postcard was never mailed.

The Foot Race, Loch Sheldrake, N.Y.In this vintage postcard five young men speedily take off at the beginning of an apparently very serious foot race at the hamlet of Loch Sheldrake in Sullivan County, New York. All the young men are well dressed, each wearing nice pants and dress shirts, and three of them wearing ties. Given the stylish clothes and the large cross that looms above them in the background, perhaps the race was taking place after a Sunday church service. Also in the background, just behind the young men, an older man gleefully jumps in the air, perhaps signaling the start of the race.

Each of the young men take off with sheer determination, as seen in their facial expressions, speeding their way down the dirt road to an unseen finish line. One can only imagine what the challenge was or what was at stake for these five young men to inspire such determination.

The postcard was published by L. G. Laidlaw as part of his Artino Series. The postcard was never mailed.