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The 1950’s are often viewed as a golden era in U.S. history, a time of happiness and prosperity, despite the threat of nuclear annihilation, racial segregation and the looming Cold War.

While most photos from the time are in black and white, color photography was still a relative novelty at the time and the film was quite expensive for regular people, the photos below are in glorious color. This means that they are more relatable, and makes the period feel closer to us than ever.

Many of the photos were collected by Denis Fraevich, a New Yorker of Russian descent who loves to bring the era back to life. “The pictures were found at auctions, flea markets and yards, digitized and posted on the Internet,” he told Bored Panda. “Someone's happy life, someone's dreams, important events, holidays and travel, for some reason were thrown into the garbage and became penny goods in a neighborhood sale. Seeing this is incredibly sad, but thanks to enthusiasts who buy and digitize old slides, we can raise the curtain of time and look at that era through the eyes of ordinary Americans.”

It is Denis' hobby to search for these photos, he is fascinated by all things Americana and loves history, abandoned places and as you can see in many of the photos, classic American cars. “I am amazed at how often a car is present in the frame,” he said. “They obviously occupied a much more important position in the life of an American than in our time. Today, it is much less likely that someone would take pictures of their car or television.” Denis works as a Russian-speaking tour guide in NYC and has a fascinating blog, which you can find here. (Translate it from Russian)

Scroll down to check out the pictures below, it might just inspire you to dig out that old leather jacket and the Brylcreem!

#1

Colored Entrance, Alabama, 1956

Colored Entrance, Alabama, 1956

Gordon Parks Report

#2

Ladylike In NYC, 1958

Ladylike In NYC, 1958

Sante Forlano Report

#3

My Very Cool Grandpa In The 1950s Holding A Fish, Smoking A Cigarette, With A Book Tucked Into His Pants And Cigarette Pack In His Sleeve

My Very Cool Grandpa In The 1950s Holding A Fish, Smoking A Cigarette, With A Book Tucked Into His Pants And Cigarette Pack In His Sleeve

schants Report

#4

A Drink, A Cigar And Not Giving A Good Goddamn, 1950s

A Drink, A Cigar And Not Giving A Good Goddamn, 1950s

B_Underscore Report

#5

My Grandma Had Such A Gorgeous Smile. 1950's

My Grandma Had Such A Gorgeous Smile. 1950's

omeccamonolith Report

#6

An Officer With Hot Foot Teddy, The Real-Life Inspiration For Smokey The Bear, 1950

An Officer With Hot Foot Teddy, The Real-Life Inspiration For Smokey The Bear, 1950

DillyDylan Report

#8

James Dean At A California Gas Station With His Silver Porsche 550 Spyder, Named "Little Bastard," Just Hours Before His Fatal Crash. September 30, 1955

James Dean At A California Gas Station With His Silver Porsche 550 Spyder, Named "Little Bastard," Just Hours Before His Fatal Crash. September 30, 1955

unknown Report

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#9

Store Front, Mobile, Alabama, 1956

Store Front, Mobile, Alabama, 1956

Gordon Parks Report

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catmarshall57 avatar
BusLady
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those old stores always has "product placement" coke signs.

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#10

Girl And Her Grandmother Window-Shopping In Mobile, Alabama, 1956

Girl And Her Grandmother Window-Shopping In Mobile, Alabama, 1956

Gordon Parks Report

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Daria B
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The face expression of the lady clearly says how much she loves the little girl. Or at least, that's how it looks like to me. ^^

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#11

Anne St. Marie, New York City, 1959

Anne St. Marie, New York City, 1959

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#13

The Streets Of San Francisco. 1957

The Streets Of San Francisco. 1957

unknown Report

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catmarshall57 avatar
BusLady
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nice shot. All those old cars. Wonder how many are still on the road?

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#14

Girl Portrait. Shady Grove, Alabama, 1956

Girl Portrait. Shady Grove, Alabama, 1956

Gordon Parks Report

#16

Showgirls Playing Chess Backstage At The Latin Quarter Nightclub - New York, NY (1958)

Showgirls Playing Chess Backstage At The Latin Quarter Nightclub - New York, NY (1958)

Gordon Parks Report

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aloysiaapollo avatar
Apollo
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why was everyone so classy back then? The girl in the front looks like she's a 16th century Italian painting.

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#17

Outside Looking In, Mobile, Alabama, 1956

Outside Looking In, Mobile, Alabama, 1956

Gordon Parks Report

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Wanda Queen
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the s**t we mustn't forget, especially in this day when people want to keep telling us we need to get back to some imaginary "good old days".

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#18

A Slightly Surrealistic Photo Of My Grandma And Some Dude Somewhere In Florida, 1957

A Slightly Surrealistic Photo Of My Grandma And Some Dude Somewhere In Florida, 1957

shesafox Report

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catmarshall57 avatar
BusLady
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Trying to empress her, and she's not even looking. That's why he's "some dude' instead of "Grampa."

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#19

South Side Snack. 1953, Chicago

South Side Snack. 1953, Chicago

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