Not sure I can delve quite so far back as the 30's, but certainly can manage middle of last century, I do have a canvas ridge tent from probably 1940's or 1950's donated by an elderly relative many decades ago, I've never attempted to use it, as I had already gone all high tech with a 1960's PTC (Pneumatic Tent Company) inflatable Igloo tent! Used that well into the 1990's, as far as I know it's still useable as I dragged it out of loft and inflated it OK a few years ago.
I've also got a genuine early 1970's rubberised canvas airbed from LiLO. That's still in useable condition, probably trust that more than the new PVC ones I have that always seem to spring a new leak every night!
Jumped quite a few decades to the more modern tunnel tents I now use, but I guess they are likely getting on for ten years old now, so still vintage in some peoples eyes!
Things have moved on in the many decades I've been camping, and TBH very grateful for the progress in most cases. Only exception is perhaps the PTC Igloo tent which was decades ahead of it's time with inflatable 'poles' and sewn in ground sheet, so easy to erect/pack up, and incredibly durable in foul weather, virtually only tent left standing after night-time gale on Dorset's Golden Cap clifftop campsite. Only downside was it was cotton canvas, so very heavy and woe betide if you touched the single skin walls when it was raining. Very fond of that tent.
What lovely pictures! Wow, those old frame tents... cumbersome but impressive! I started off in a white canvas pup tent in the garden (unless you count the blanket over the clothes horse before that) but I don't think I ever actually garden camped in it - it was more of a playroom. I do remember one rapid retreat after a daddy longlegs decided to share it with me. What a wuss...
My parents weren't campers so we mostly had caravan holidays. My friend (FriendOfOwls) had a fine big frame tent, also a canvas ridge tent. I didn't start to camp solo seriously until I was in my 40s, in a little two man dome tent. I started then because my parents were still quite well and could fend for themselves and my daughter was away at uni, so it was a window of opportunity.
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A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Vintage & Retro Camping
via mobile 12/1/2021 at 10:53am
