Burt Glinn Members of the Seattle Tubing Society in full float. Seattle, Washington. 1953.
“From 1950-55, Burt Glinn was a young photojournalist based in the Northwest United States, living in Seattle. In 19
(...) 53, Burt photographed the Seattle Tubing Society, a creative and bohemian group of his contemporaries, for a LIFE Magazine story (‘Life Goes Tubing on the Sammamish Slough,’ August 31, 1953). Once a year, these men and women would partake in a wacky parade in their retro bathing costumes, sun hats, and parasols, as they toted inner tubes from downtown Seattle to the nearby Sammamish Slough for a long, idyllic day of drifting on the river while hydrating with beer.
Burt kept close ties with these Seattle Tubers and they became part of his northwest ‘fan club,’ hosting several exhibitions of his work and sending fresh salmon and Alaskan king crab from the Pike Market on several occasions. Their unofficial dining club in Seattle, The Ruins, even threw Burt and his family a reunion party in 1993 with the same ebullient cast of characters present for the festivities. They continue to be free spirits full of joie de vivre.”
— Elena Glinn, widow of Burt Glinn © Burt Glinn | Magnum Photos
