During the 1980’s, farms in Canada and the US were in crises, which resulted in many foreclosures.
The photographs in this series are from two farm auctions photographed over Easter 1984, in the Harlington District and the Alpine District of the Swan River Valley. One auction is being held because the owners, an elderly couple, are retiring from farming. The other auction is being held because the owners have been forced into foreclosure. The possessions to be auctioned at both farms are similar: smaller equipment, and accumulation of farm and domestic items.
In reality, however, one auction is selling the collection from a simple, frugal life. The other auction is selling a similar collection of goods but from a previous generation; the modern equipment has already been repossessed.
The photographs are not meant to illustrate the farm crisis and I have made no effort to identify one sale from the other. The photographs are about finding: a neighbour, a conversation, a coffee, a bargain, a treasure, a memory.
Just below is a slide show or continue and scroll through the images one at a time.
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (7-01)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (7-02)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (7-04)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (7-08)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (7-09)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (7-10)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (7-11)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (7-12)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (7-13)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (7-14)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (7-15)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (7-16)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (7-17)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (7-28)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (7-29)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (7-32)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (7-34)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (7-35)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (7-37)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (7-38)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (7-39)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (7-40)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (7-42)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (8-14)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (8-17)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (8-18)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (8-20)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (8-21)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (8-22)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (8-23)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (8-25)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (8-28)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (8-30)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (9-05)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (9-16)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (9-20)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (9-21)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (9-24)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (9-25)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (9-27)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (9-28)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (9-29)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (9-32)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (9-33)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (9-35)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (9-36)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (9-38)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (9-40)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (9-41)
Farm auction, Swan River, Easter 1984 (9-42)
Images/Folios are available for purchase. Contact at mrbarrow@mymts.net
misterbarrow 
awesome photos … circumstances are sad though …and so many people …the photos evoke a lot of mixed feelings for sure … good job!
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Windbreakers and ballcaps! I’ve never seen so many ballcaps in one place. You can really feel the socialization happening in these pics, and the crisp air of early spring. Still, these auctions are sad occasions too, farm life ending and people moving on.
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Many a traveling ball cap salesman retired young back then?
I moved from Winnipeg to a more rural Saskatchewan setting in the mid 70’s and my own photography oft focused on this new phenomena to me… the silhouette of the ball cap.
Rob’s images immortalize that “culture”; in my opinion mrbarrow is a genius at this. Too bad we no longer have venues such as Star Weekly’s and the like to feature Rob’s documentary work.
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As always Rob such a subtle yet remarkable approach to capturing the day. I am always humbled by your skills. You have captured a different culture for many I think. Cheers — Skids
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So many memories of years gone by – thank you 🙂
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