Gorgeous Pics Of The Ordinary Swedish Residents And Karelian Orthodox Monks Photographed By Einar Erici In 1930s

Karl Oskar Lööw, Fredhäll, Uppland, Sweden, 1933. The crofter Karl Oskar Lööw in Fredhäll. Born in 1873.

Einar Erici (1885–1965) was a physician by profession, working at a tuberculosis hospital in Stockholm, even running a private medical practice. He was by then the most renowned Swedish expert of church organs and organ builders, and his archival collection is today held by the Swedish National Heritage Board. This archive includes mostly writings, such as letters and manuscripts for published articles and essays, but also more than 2 000 black and white photos – original prints, glass plates and film negatives.

More: Swedish National Heritage Board

Mr and Mrs Lundström, Gävle, Gästrikland, Sweden. The coachman C. P. Lundström, born in 1851, and his wife. Resident in Södra Trädgårdsgatan street in Gävle. 30.11.1930.

Einar Erici was a skilful amateur photographer. His main motifs were churches and church organs, according to his field of science. The photos were taken during the first half of the 20th century on his travels across Sweden. Most of them are from the provinces of Gotland and Uppland.

Russian Orthodox monk with a birchbark basket, Valamo Monastery, Karelia, Russia (then Finland), 1930s.

However, main focus of the set will be on another and quite different field of Erici as a photographer. He also took photos of people, mostly of older men wearing beards. These ordinary Swedish men are posing for the camera, just standing still, or performing some activity, like playing the guitar, making shoes, or gardening. Sometimes their wives and families, as well as their homes, appear in the pictures. Other photos are of Orthodox monks at Valamo Monastery on the island of Valaam, in Lake Ladoga in Karelia, today located in Russia, at that time in Finland. The photos of people are mainly from the 1930s

Greta Persson, Almo, Dalarna, Sweden, 1935. Greta Persson, 66 years old, dressed in a traditional costume. Wife of the yeoman farmer Ollas Per Persson in Almo, Dalecarlia.

F. A. Sandell, Stockholm, Sweden, 1930s. The shoemaker F. A. Sandell in his worksho

Bell tower of Gryta Church, Uppland, Sweden, 1933. The wooden bell tower was built in 1752.

Father Vladimir, a Russian Orthodox priest, Valamo Monastery, Karelia, Russia (then Finland), 1930s.

Carl Persson, Betsede, Uppland, Sweden, 1929. The farmer Carl Persson, 69 years old, with a dog.

The crofter G. V. Gustafsson, Margretelund, Uppland, Sweden, 1930s. Born in 1872.

Mr and Mrs Fröding, Kummelnäs, Uppland, Sweden, 1932. The gardener Fredrik Fröding, born in 1854, and his wife.

Priest, Father Gerontius with a barrow. Valamo Monastery, Karelia, Russia (then Finland).

Mr and Mrs Samuelsson, Stigåsa, Småland, Sweden, 1932. The yeoman farmer Carl Anders Samuelsson, born in 1857, and his wife Anna Lena.

Petrus Norling, Knivsta, Uppland, Sweden, 1938. The shoemaker, woodcarver and fiddler Petrus Norling in Knivsta, playing the violin. Born in 1869.

Monk, Valamo Monastery, Karelia, Russia (then Finland), 1930s. Father Sergius, assistant in the Monastery garden.

Priest, Valamo Monastery, Karelia, Russia (then Finland), 1930s. Father Venerius with a birchbark basket.

Karl August Andersson, Stockholm, Sweden, 1934. The carpenter Karl August Andersson, at Sabbatsberg Old People’s Home. Born in 1859.

Bell tower of Moheda Church, Småland, Sweden, 1934. The wooden bell tower was built in 1665.

Greta Persson, Almo, Dalarna, Sweden, 1930. Greta Persson at a hut. Wife of the yeoman farmer Ollas Per Persson in Almo, Dalecarlia.

The coachman C. P. Lundström, Gävle, Gästrikland, Sweden, outside a house, 1930.