I noticed that in Barry Levinson's Baltimore movies, there is one scene that shows a horse drawn cart that is driven by someone that appears to be a junk man. Can anyone enlighten me as to what this really is? Was or is it still common for someone to come around and pick up anything of value along the curb?
share^I'm only guessing, but it seems very feasible that, in 1959 Baltimore, a "rag and bone man" (as we used to call them in England) would stop at houses asking for any old stuff they didn't want.
shareThey’re called Arabbers and they’re still active in Baltimore, although nowhere near as common as in the 50’s and before. They would sell produce, house goods and pick up junk. Although they were in a lot of east coast cities they lasted longest and are often associated with Baltimore. Wikipedia link below.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabber
^Very interesting. According to the Wiki link they also appear in some of the seasons of The Wire. I have watched that show several times, but do not recall seeing any Arabbers. Will look out for them next time I re-watch my box set.
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