Life in the US in the 50s: rare photos

1950's years, often called the Golden era of American history, a time of happiness and prosperity — despite the racial segregation, the cold war and other problems. Colour photography at that time was still a relative novelty, so surviving pictures in color, so interesting to consider.

Most images from this collection and archive, assembled by Denis Previtem, a native of Russia, now living in new York.

Entrance for non-ferrous, Alabama, 1956

Girls new York, 1958

The cool kids on holiday — fishing, cigarette, cigarette pack in the sleeve of his t-shirt, a book in the waistband of his pants, 1950s

Booze, a cigar and to hell with everything, 1950s

The officer and the bear, the living embodiment of Smokey Bear (mascot of the U.S. forest service), 1950

What a wonderful smile!

The girl and her grandmother are considering storefront in mobile, Alabama, 1956

James Dean at a gas station in California in just a few hours before his death on 30 September 1955

Beach Daytona-beach, 1957

Shop in Mobile, Alabama, 1956

Model Anne Saint-Marie, new York, 1959

Portrait of a girl, shady grove, Alabama, 1956

At least one eye in mobile, Alabama, 1956

The streets of San Francisco, 1957

Somewhere in Florida, 1957

Alabama, 1956

At the party, 1956

Strippers in the break between performances, the club in the Latin quarter, new York, 1958

Child baby car seat

The woman in red

Chicago, 1953

1957

Parade in palm springs, FL, 1955

1954

San Francisco, 1951

Actress and dancer Gwen Verdun, new York, 1953

1951

The boys from Alabama, 1956

Hawaii, 1956