Burton Holmes and His Pith Helmet

My Grandfather and His Straw

A Close-Up

The three men in this photograph are each wearing some interesting and unique head gear. Another photograph found with this one had written on the reverse, "Everywhere you go there's someone to take your picture." Usually those taking the photographs were Holmes and Greene.

E. Burton Holmes and E. Jesse Greene traveled the world together taking photographs and making films for the Burton Holmes empire. Always, I might add, dressed to the nines no matter where they were in the world.

Burton Holmes was a mega star of his day; for sixty years he was America's most famous travel showman. Yes, Burton Holmes traveled the world, but he didn’t travel alone. Producing the Burton Holmes lectures required the efforts of a close knit group of tough ground-breaking professionals. While much has been written about Burton Holmes’ career, little has been known about the men and women who traveled with him and contributed to his empire.

One of those men was my grandfather, Edward Jesse Greene. Greene left school at sixteen to begin his career with Holmes. Burton Holmes personally gave my grandfather an education in photography, travel, and the world. The stories of my grandfather and his association with Holmes, as well as his personal photographs are my legacy.

Their Crowning Glory is my ticket to the Carnival.
Smile!

Photograph:

Holmes & Greene. Unmounted Photograph. Photographer Unknown. Unknown. Privately held by the footnoteMaven, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Preston, Washington. 2008