New England Sketch Book

New England Sketch Book New England Sketch Book was a borne from the influence of this area, its history, people and culture

We are OFF! Amazing kick off weekend and weather is off-the-rails fantastic 😏
07/26/2026

We are OFF! Amazing kick off weekend and weather is off-the-rails fantastic 😏

Today marks ,what would have been, my father’s 102nd birthday - so figured it was an opportunity to honor him with a few...
07/25/2026

Today marks ,what would have been, my father’s 102nd birthday - so figured it was an opportunity to honor him with a few images I have been fortunate enough to obtain & scan. Explore at your leisure - but compelled to share.

Born on this day in 1924 - my Pops was a consummate New England Yankee with a deep disdain of idleness, drama, & replacement vs. repair. His loves were many- Boston & the coast of Massachusetts, his wonderful 5 brothers & sisters, steamers, early jazz (he was a tenor sax dude) , vintage wooden boats, surf casting (welp - all manner of fishing), wry humor, a cold Schlitz, simple BBQs, hunting dogs, & sharing the historic legends and lore of the region that deeply echo through Sketch Book.

I was fortunate to be the youngest of our entire extended Prince clan & grew up with family that were a solid generation earlier than most of my peers. Their collective perspective on grounded humility, community service, lively conversation, perpetual learning and charting your own distinct path in the present while reflecting a deep appreciation of past, defined a set of core principals I still carry to this day.

He would have loved Sketch Book and wish he could have experienced our humble shop on Ferry Wharf in Newburyport (which he loved 😀).

A Happy 102nd & thanks to the OG Muggsy.

Images as follows:
1. Muggsy “King of the Tenor Sax”
2. Around Medford - first apartment
3. The Boys are Home after WW2 - My Pops and his band buddies in Brockton. Back row 2nd from right.
4. Suspect off Falmouth somewhere
5. Cold beer and steamers on “The Bounty” - our wood cabin cruiser off the shores of MA.
6. Home after work in Boston - Duxbury (first home)
7. Surf Casting - beach unknown
8. Family Gathering in Douglas MA - early 2000s

Join our merry band of artists, creators & passionate local history buffs & have been thrilled by the expanding embrace ...
07/22/2026

Join our merry band of artists, creators & passionate local history buffs & have been thrilled by the expanding embrace of our community & visitors. 😀

Reach out for more details!

Hooray😘❤️..the gladiolas have arrived….
07/21/2026

Hooray😘❤️..the gladiolas have arrived….

Staying true to more wet plate time…Love the creative freedoms of still life compositions and was personally pleased wit...
07/14/2026

Staying true to more wet plate time…

Love the creative freedoms of still life compositions and was personally pleased with the day’s shoot despite ridiculously low UV. 1/2 plate @ 30 seconds - F12.

Will be landing in the shop once varnished & I determine presentation 😉

Old Tyme Tuesday ~ July 7th | From the New England Sketch Book Glass Negative Collection.This early 1900s plate captures...
07/07/2026

Old Tyme Tuesday ~ July 7th | From the New England Sketch Book Glass Negative Collection.

This early 1900s plate captures a Down East Maine outdoor excursion in the vicinity of Machias and reflects the unique period of children’s fashion-particularly in families of sound financial standing. 😏
All four (2 girls & 2 boys) are wearing matched, nautically-inspired, striped tops and skirts - a gender blurring approach in clothing that was quite common until the age of 4. The cultural interest in the style actually originated from Queen Victoria after she commissioned a sailor themed outfit for her son in the mid 1800s.
By the late 1910s, children’s fashion shifted away from restrictive miniature versions of adult clothing towards simpler, looser garments better designed for active play. 😊

As we stand on the cusp of America’s 250th - sharing a fantastic image of our family on a bygone 4th of July.Taken,it is...
07/03/2026

As we stand on the cusp of America’s 250th - sharing a fantastic image of our family on a bygone 4th of July.

Taken,it is believed, in 1902 this wonderful image captures the entire Prince clan of Mechanic Falls, Maine at Independence Day celebrations at Hogan Pond in nearby Oxford. Maurice Prince (with the formidable mustache in middle row) & his wife Hattie Prince were my great grandparents and raised the brood on a small farm. My grandfather, Thomas (aka T.W.) is the taller lad in the back right with the floppy hat and is surrounded by his siblings - my great aunts & uncles- Violet, Grace, Mildred, Lida, Philip, Maurice, & Merle. ❤️

Astonishingly, none of my immediate family & cousins were aware of this image until it was posted on an informal Mechanic Falls town history share page LAST 4th of July. The page administrators have been absolutely great and my obsessive goal is now to have the original print receive a proper scan.

Have a fantastic 4th all and come visit as we will be open normal weekend hours for the holiday! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Address

1 Water Street Rear
Newburyport, MA
01950

Opening Hours

Wednesday 11am - 5pm
Thursday 11am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 7pm
Sunday 11am - 5pm

Telephone

+19789921345

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