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Where: unknown
When: circa 1945
Who: Gertrude Abercrombie (woman), unidentified man (man with brimmed hat), and James Purdy (man with feathered cap)
What: Photos were taken from a photobooth, they have a Photomatic trademark on verso
Help us solve the mystery: Who is the unidentified man in both photos?
Gertrude Abercrombie (1909-1977) was a Surrealist painter who lived and worked in Chicago. She was a prominent member of Chicago's Hyde Park arts community. She was called the "queen of bohemian artists," and was also particularly involved with the Chicago jazz scene, with jazz music influencing much of her creative work.
James Otis Purdy (1914-2009) was an American writer, poet, novelist, and playwright. He moved to Chicago in 1935 to attend the University of Chicago and became close friends with Gertrude Abercrombie. She and her underground salon inspired many of his works.
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