From London in the 1980s to Willy Michel’s delightful 1920s photobombs of French society’s great and Lee Godie’s brilliant selfies in Chicago, the photobooth has been about having fun. Meet Donette “Donny” Verzall, who sat for photobooth selfies from 1933 through 1954. Collector Roz Leibowitz tells us, “Most have dates on the back and some have intentional damage. Clearly, this was someone who loved to pose–a photobooth lover’s delight. Donny–wherever you are–we salute you!”
On the back of the top is written: “Jan 14 1954”
On the bottom two:
“Fri Dec. 17 54”
What do we know about Donny? Well, not much. Roz reasons she was a Californian. A public record does tells that a Donny Diana Verzall was born in California in 1917. Can you help?
Written on back from top left clockwise:
“Aug 25, 42 – Sept 14, 1942 met John Loda that nite
Oct 9, 1942″
One the back of all three:
“Friday June 26 1936”
From top left clockwise written on back:
“March 30, 1935 Doug Latimer and Donny Verzall at Venice”
“May 3 1935 Thu Donny”
“June 18 1935”
“June 21 1935”
On the back of all four: “Nov. 23, 1934”
Written on the back starting from top left going clockwise:
“July 3 1933 Donette Verzall”
“Oct 31 1933 Donny”
“Dec 1 1933 Fri”
“Nov 4? 1933 Sat”
The last dated photobooth image from the Donette Verzall collection.
On the back is written:
“I love you, Robin- from Donny 1954”
Via: With permission of Roz Leibowitz, all rights reserved
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