Found Photographs [Archive] - Large Format Photography Forum

Scott Davis

19-Jan-2012, 23:38

I blog about my collecting habit - mostly anonymous vernacular images, but some pieces are by famous photographers and/or famous subjects (civil war generals, Tom Thumb and his wife, Mathew Brady and Alexander Gardner to name a few).

http://dcphotoartist.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/ccnativeamtriookla.jpg
Native American Trio, Oklahoma ca. 1890

http://dcphotoartist.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/agardnergroupcdv.jpg
Group photo, Alexander Gardner, Washington DC ca. 1865-1870

Tom J McDonald

20-Jan-2012, 00:31

Great thread.

Domingo A. Siliceo

20-Jan-2012, 01:17

[...]
http://dcphotoartist.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/agardnergroupcdv.jpg
Group photo, Alexander Gardner, Washington DC ca. 1865-1870

curious composition, I think. Do you know why some people are looking at their left, other at their right and only one woman at the camera?

jm51

20-Jan-2012, 06:54

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-txBaJ7G2x18/TxkGZ8wFnyI/AAAAAAAAA_I/vhl2gFDaFdA/s1600/15.jpg

Apart from children being children, I think that's the first 'non serious' old photo that I've ever seen.

Scott Davis

20-Jan-2012, 11:31

curious composition, I think. Do you know why some people are looking at their left, other at their right and only one woman at the camera?

I have no idea why, per se. I suspect it may have been some kind of display of virtuosity on the part of the photographer - showing he could master the composing of such a diverse group to show the best side of each sitter. It doesn't really matter in the long run - it's just a neat image. Also, did you notice the head clamp sitting off in the corner by itself? I wonder if that was another way to say "I'm such a great photographer that I don't need to use the head clamp on my subjects", or if it was just a sign of laziness that he forgot to remove it from the scene before taking the picture.

Scott Davis

20-Jan-2012, 11:42

Some more from the collection:

http://dcphotoartist.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/tintypeviolinistincard.jpg
Violinist, mounted tintype.

http://dcphotoartist.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/anonsgprinttomsawyer.jpg
Two men painting a fence - homage a Tom Sawyer, Gaslamp paper print on cardboard mount.

http://dcphotoartist.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/tintypetwoaffectionatepals.jpg
Two affectionate pals, tintype.

Richard M. Coda

20-Jan-2012, 11:45

Richard, that's great. Do you have any idea when the photo was taken?

1924

Scott Davis

20-Jan-2012, 11:45

And here's another odd one -

http://dcphotoartist.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/tintypepistolpacker.jpg

I'm not quite sure WHAT is going on with the little pistols... unmounted tintype.

William McEwen

20-Jan-2012, 13:28

I've purchased many old glass plates and negatives from all over the world.

I find it a fun diversion to go into my darkroom and print these from time to time. I feel a bond with the anonymous man or woman who made the negatives, and feel that bringing his or her work to light -- sometimes a century later -- is a worthwhile activity.

One of my favorite purchases is a big bag of snapshot negs from a family in South America. A lot of mediocre stuff, but many gems, too.

I send some prints to friends and file the others away.

I have a rubber stamp on the back of each to identify these as printed in a traditional wet darkroom directly from the photographer's original negative.

One friend hung a collection of them on his wall and it was strange for me to see them presented together. They looked pretty good!

With the success of Vivian Maier, maybe I should think about promoting that collection...

Fourtoes

20-Jan-2012, 13:46

Brian Ellis

20-Jan-2012, 14:05

There's a web site run by a guy who asks people to send him undeveloped film they find in old family cameras or elsewhere. He processes the film, posts some of the images, and writes something about them, often speculation about what was going on, why they were never developed, etc. I thought it was a fascinating site. Anyone know the one I'm talking about, I can't seem to find it again?

Denise Dognini

20-Jan-2012, 14:17

Great thread!

It seems that these people are whispering something... something about the way they lived and died...

Oh, it's amazing!

mdm

20-Jan-2012, 14:57

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s2mknJIvi6Y/TxnkLkQDY3I/AAAAAAAAA_s/d0AKtypskx8/s1600/12.jpg

Richard M. Coda

20-Jan-2012, 17:51

Not LF (almost... MF) and not found, but inherited...
Portraits of my Father (http://rcodaphotography.blogspot.com/2012/01/portraits-of-my-father.html)

Keith Fleming

20-Jan-2012, 21:41

Bryan,

I think the site you mentioned is www.westfordcomp.com. He recently posted photos from a roll of Verichrome Pan he found and developed.

Keith

Scott Davis

21-Jan-2012, 07:32

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s2mknJIvi6Y/TxnkLkQDY3I/AAAAAAAAA_s/d0AKtypskx8/s1600/12.jpg

Please tell me that's a cat, and not a gigantic rodent...

mdm

21-Jan-2012, 12:03

Its a cat but it must have moved its head during exposure because it has an extra eye.

mdm

21-Jan-2012, 12:19

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sBO44L1pDwU/TxsQbSoHCQI/AAAAAAAAA_4/E9iwiqKarZU/s1600/7.jpg

What I love about this one is the track with wheel and hoof ruts and bicycle.

DanK

21-Jan-2012, 12:33

Its a cat but it must have moved its head during exposure because it has an extra eye.

I thought it was a rabbit....interesting image either way. Thanks for sharing.

Dan

Vincent Pidone

22-Jan-2012, 14:45

Please see AnonymousPictures.tumblr.com

Only found pictures (with a very few exceptions)
Only vernacular (non-studio, again with a few exceptions)

You might want to click on the "archive" link to get an overview.

Thanks

mdm

22-Jan-2012, 16:50

I like the Robert Frank story. Thanks for the link.

mdm

24-Jan-2012, 22:52

Those are beautiful. What a find.

ImSoNegative

24-Jan-2012, 22:55

Please tell me that's a cat, and not a gigantic rodent...

i thought the same th ing, kind of looks like a giant hamster :eek:

Randy

25-Jan-2012, 17:13

I acquired several hundred 4X5 negs that belonged to a local photographer who recently passed away. He did most of his work from the 40's through the 70's. Nothing particular good, just simple documentation of the local area and it's inhabitants.
As I looked through the negs with a magnifier, trying to decide what was worthy of scanning, I recognized a couple faces.

This one, of some scouts heading out on a bus trip (late 1950's or early 60's). The boy near the far right (indicated by the yellow arrow) is a good friend of mine (fellow camera collector), now in his early 60's. He had never seen this picture before.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/52893762/img301a.jpg

This one (below), from the mid 70's, shows the dedication of the corner stone during the construction of our local Masonic Lodge. The fellow seen in the background, shooting pictures with a 35mm camera, is another friend of mine, and fellow member of our camera collectors club. He had never seen this picture either.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/52893762/img357.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/52893762/img357a.jpg

Brian Ellis

25-Jan-2012, 18:13

Bryan,

I think the site you mentioned is www.westfordcomp.com. He recently posted photos from a roll of Verichrome Pan he found and developed.

Keith

That's it, thanks Keith.

atlcruiser

26-Jan-2012, 14:55

Great stuff here. Thanks MDM for starting this...I am now on the look out for old negatives

mdm

26-Jan-2012, 15:25

Good on you. I just came on mine by chance, but I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Scott Davis

28-Jan-2012, 06:29

Here's another one-

http://dcphotoartist.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/tinoccupationalplumber.jpg

a nice little tintype.

Randy

28-Jan-2012, 07:19

Scanned from original 4X5 neg. I believe shot in the Philippines during WWII.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/52893762/img137.jpg

mdm

29-Jan-2012, 12:33

Poor thing. Is that a cake tin or a hat?

S Van Gylden

29-Jan-2012, 13:17

What a great thread.. more, please!
Simon.

mdm

29-Jan-2012, 16:19

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fFR1Kmnp7iA/TyXVDS9KF2I/AAAAAAAABAE/UvPf0zDCYn0/s1600/8.jpg
Another one I found.

johnielvis

29-Jan-2012, 21:55

I think he's upset because he probably has a metal rod running up his back-side. You can see the support behind him on the floor.

fHAAHAHAHAHA

now I know WHY.....the people here...

now I know....metal thing up the backside...

yup....can't be menopause....it's all men....must be the metal thing

RPippin

30-Jan-2012, 06:48

Have been collecting antique photos for quite a while now, just for fun. i have a friend who scans them and reworks them in PS to create some surreal and sometimes creepy effects and then prints them.

Randy

30-Jan-2012, 06:58

Another original neg, probably from the Philippines, WWII. The Sharon Rogers Band. You can google it for more information. Their plane went down but I believe all were saved.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/52893762/img139a.jpg

Randy

30-Jan-2012, 07:14

From a 3.5" glass plate, somewhere in Colorado, 1880's or 1890's.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/52893762/020a.jpg

mdm

30-Jan-2012, 08:54

From a 3.5" glass plate, somewhere in Colorado, 1880's or 1890's.

Beautiful light and buggys in the background.

There must have been some good times during the war.

Scott Davis

30-Jan-2012, 09:58

http://dcphotoartist.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/tintwobrewerskeystone.jpg

The beer bottle says Keystone Cabinet Export Beer. The other bottle is illegible. Anyone here know anything about Keystone Beer (NOT the Coors sub-brand, which is new-ish -I think-). In doing a little web research, I could only find references to the Coors label, and an English brewer from the 19th century called Keystone.

Here's the close-up scan of the label-

http://dcphotoartist.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/tintwobrewersbottlelabel.jpg

Richard Wasserman

30-Jan-2012, 15:01

Chicago 1940s. Someone jumped in the river and drowned.

Randy

30-Jan-2012, 17:14

Another couple glass plates, from somewhere in Colorado, 1880's-1890's (the school building has the date "1883" in the brickwork above the 2nd story.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/52893762/013a.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/52893762/014a.jpg

Richard M. Coda

2-Mar-2012, 14:53

http://www.pctype.com/rcphoto/test/glassplate_man.jpg
Print I made from a glass plate neg I bought a long time ago.. I have more... just have to scan them.

http://www.pctype.com/rcphoto/test/Foster_portrait.jpg
Print I bought at a bookstore a long time ago. Photographer's name is Foster.

jcoldslabs

22-May-2012, 21:56

A family member found a whole photo album of tintypes at a flea market and gave them to me. I have no idea who the folks are but there is a definite progression as some of the children in the early photos are recognizable as teens in the later ones. I'll post more one I've scanned them.

This was one of the best in terms of condition, although someone went a bit crazy with the pink: cheeks, hair ribbon and collar?

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/Tintype-03.jpg

Jonathan

jcoldslabs

22-May-2012, 21:59

And another from the same group:

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/Tintype-09.jpg

Jonathan

jcoldslabs

22-May-2012, 22:04

And one my mother-in-law found:

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/Potter-Hotel-SB.jpg

Jonathan

leighmarrin

23-May-2012, 01:50

Jonathan, enjoyed the photos, especially the last, as I live in Santa Barbara. The tremendous Potter Hotel burned down in 1921, and was never rebuilt. The photograph appears to be taken from Castle Rock, a long-gone rock outcropping dynamited in the construction of the Santa Barbara harbor and its breakwater. A couple of history links:

http://www.edhat.com/site/tidbit.cfm?id=3534
http://www.edhat.com/site/tidbit.cfm?nid=33526

I started to get a little creeped-out when I first saw the photo of the little boy, as his pose looks like those spooky child post-mortem photographs that used to be popular. But he looks alive, just uncomfortable.

--Leigh.

jcoldslabs

23-May-2012, 19:21

Leigh,

Thanks for answering a lingering question I've had. Growing up in Santa Barbara I had never heard of the Potter Hotel--I'm not that old! But when I saw this photo I kept trying to search my memory for the spot from which this photo was taken and it never added up. If that spot was in fact DESTROYED then no wonder I could never figure it out!

As for the little boy, it creeped me out, too. But I agree, I think he's been put in an awkward position and told to hold still. Not the best recipe for a "natural" portrait.

I'll be posting some more of these found tintypes soon. They fascinate me.

Jonathan

jcoldslabs

23-May-2012, 19:36

I can't be sure, but I think this is the same woman, a bit older, as in the first tintype I posted above.

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/Tintype---13.jpg

Jonathan

jcoldslabs

23-May-2012, 19:38

And a couple more:

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/Tintype-10.jpg

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/Tintype-06.jpg

Jonathan

mdm

23-May-2012, 20:28

Love the hats. Good find. The way a photograph is also a piece of history is something that no other art has.

Joe Smigiel

23-May-2012, 21:57

Let's give a big hand to the photographer:

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3007/2651349729_a67558bd1b.jpg

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4ify2lkoN1qmnn9io1_400.jpg
Loki as a kid?

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4igbsUDic1qmnn9io1_500.jpg
The Fabulous Paul Kohler.

Joe Smigiel

23-May-2012, 22:13

And a few more doll pics:

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3121/3162541866_018b86b031_z.jpg?zz=1

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3656/3373653179_bcab83f85f.jpg

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4054/4291950604_644589d696_z.jpg?zz=1

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4069/4512577800_fcf4254e1d_z.jpg
GWC

jcoldslabs

23-May-2012, 22:37

Dolls be creepy! But I'd have to agree: Paul is FABULOUS!

Jonathan

jcoldslabs

21-Jun-2012, 17:51

A panoramic diptych, with each half posted separately for better viewing. Hard to imagine something like this being built without power tools or gasoline powered heavy equipment. But there does appear to be a great deal of horse power in evidence!

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/SLO-Tank-Farm-Reservoir.jpg

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/Reservoir-Left.jpg

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/Reservoir-Right.jpg

Jonathan

jcoldslabs

21-Jun-2012, 17:59

I think I've got a retroactive crush on this one:

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/BABE.jpg

Jonathan

mdm

21-Jun-2012, 18:12

Beautiful.

jcoldslabs

21-Jun-2012, 19:29

An unusual presentation.

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/Trapezoid-Portrait.jpg

Jonathan

jcoldslabs

21-Jun-2012, 19:45

I really like this one, too. Some of these old images almost look post-modern even though they were only 'snapshots' in their time. Not sure of the date on this one. 1940s maybe?

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/CHild-and-Shadow.jpg

Jonathan

jcoldslabs

21-Jun-2012, 20:38

An early 60s "mad man" smoking in the office. Of course, I can't be sure he was an advertising executive, but he's in that ball park. Check out the print on the drapes!

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/Vintage-Business-Man.jpg

Jonathan

Shen45

21-Jun-2012, 20:48

These are just fantastic. Thanks very much for sharing.

jcoldslabs

21-Jun-2012, 20:50

Steve,

Thanks for the encouragement. I've collected lots of old photos over the years. I never really thought of it as a collection, though, just a bunch of images that I thought were neat. I'll keep posting what I think are the most interesting ones here. If you get tired of them, let me know!

Jonathan

Scott Davis

22-Jun-2012, 12:40

https://dcphotoartist.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/rugersonhodgespostofficecdv.jpg

Here's an interesting one - a CDV of an old Post Office, somewhere in New England (Pennsylvania perhaps?). Hard to read at this scan size but the signs over the door say "Post Office" and "Rugerson and Hodges".

jcoldslabs

22-Jun-2012, 20:50

A few more random shots:

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/Vintage-Car-Interior.jpg

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/Vintage---Snap-with-car-01.jpg

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/Vintage-Snow.jpg

Jonathan

Shen45

22-Jun-2012, 22:46

They are so great. The exact same shots are with us today but most of us ignore them, well I know I do. In 50 years hopefully there will be a similar collection of images to recall "ordinary" history. Thanks Jonathon.

jcoldslabs

22-Jun-2012, 23:13

Steve,

I know what you mean. I look at some of my own snapshots from a few years ago, street scenes let's say, and I can't imagine a time when such a shot with all the cars and shops and people's clothing styles will look antiquated. But it's bound to happen.

Jonathan

jcoldslabs

24-Jun-2012, 03:58

Some for tonight. I love that someone took a photo of some steaks on the grill. Who does that? (Although I must admit, they are some fine looking steaks!)

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/Steaks.jpg

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/Switzerland-1936.jpg

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/Little-Boy.jpg

Jonathan

alanbutler57

24-Jun-2012, 06:28

Life at sea circa 1920:
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk160/gablab/Old%20Navy%20Photos/USSBenhamOnFire.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk160/gablab/Old%20Navy%20Photos/DepthchargeSemmescirca1920.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk160/gablab/Old%20Navy%20Photos/LifeAboardSemmescirca1920.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk160/gablab/Old%20Navy%20Photos/JapannesseWarshipBroadsideview.jpg

mdm

24-Jun-2012, 12:32

The tone of many of theese old photographs is beautiful.

jcoldslabs

24-Jun-2012, 13:04

Alan,

Those are great. Real historical treasures.

******

David,

That's one of the things I love about old photos. Between the various film stocks used and the fading over time you end up with a whole spectrum of color casts and tonal ranges unlike what you see today with modern B&W materials.

Jonathan

Joe Smigiel

24-Jun-2012, 20:58

I love that someone took a photo of some steaks on the grill. Who does that?

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/Steaks.jpg

Jonathan

"The Shadow knows!"

jcoldslabs

24-Jun-2012, 21:47

Joe,

"The Shadow knows" indeed. He knows.....how to photograph steaks! Seriously, I have a fondness for seeing the picture-taker's shadow in photos, especially in the less self-conscious, pre-Lee Friedlander days.

Jonathan

jcoldslabs

24-Jun-2012, 23:20

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/Boy-and-Chair.jpg

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/Nevada-Club.jpg

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/Ghost-Kids.jpg

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/Girls-at-Tracks.jpg

Jonathan

Joe Smigiel

25-Jun-2012, 00:22

Well OK then. A shadow and doll pic:
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2541/3976344408_6b343b0de9.jpg

Look at it this way:
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2769/4047944441_3a05c4e634_z.jpg?zz=1

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3227/3062237549_3c0788f386_z.jpg?zz=1
Baby Brownie?

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2464/3975474865_5e0ca5efc7_z.jpg?zz=1
Personally, I wonder who the largest perfect-formed woman on Earth is?

jcoldslabs

25-Jun-2012, 00:24

Dolls--still creepy!

Jonathan

Vincent Pidone

25-Jun-2012, 15:26

76115

Leigh

26-Jun-2012, 17:15

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk160/gablab/Old%20Navy%20Photos/USSBenhamOnFire.jpg
I found this shot intriguing, so decided to research it online.

I think this is the USS Benham, Destroyer #49 (DD-49 o/a July 1920), commissioned Jan 1914, decommissioned July 1922.

The photo appears to show minor damage to the bow, although no incident is reported that would have caused it.
On April 21, 1917, there was a collision with HMS Zennia (aka Zinnia) that severely damaged Benham, but that seems unrelated to the damaged bow in this photo. Also, there's no mention of a fire aboard Benham.

Wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Benham_(DD-49)
Other references: http://www.usbenham.org

Alan:
You might want to pass this on to the Naval History and Heritage Command at http://www.history.navy.mil/index.html
since the image appears to be unique and is not in their collection.

- Leigh

alanbutler57

28-Jun-2012, 14:58

Thanks Leigh,
I will do so.

I assume the note was written by my great uncle, who took the photograph but passed away decades ago. Seeing the copious smoke and blackening at the top of the third funnel, I wonder if this is something like a chimney fire, confined to the smoke stack perhaps. FYI, Uncle Joe is the sailor camera left in the photo with the puppies. Quiet an interesting fellow, he was a SeaBee during the the second war.

Another shot from the same period, definitely large format! My grandfather's crew, USS Tacoma:

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk160/gablab/Old%20Navy%20Photos/USSTacomaCrewCirca1917-1920Reducedto25Mb.jpg

Robbie Bedell

29-Jun-2012, 12:20

A while back I bought a 2x3 Century Graphic at an antique store in Sewall's Point, Florida, and there was a roll of film in the holder. As you can see by the mold it had been there a long time! I processed it and found eight frames of a small boat race in Hopetown in the Bahamas. Judging my the outboard motor in some of the frames I judge the photos were taken sometime in the 1960s. Here are three:

http://robbiebedell.photoshelter.com

Corran

29-Jun-2012, 17:01

I feel kinda bad. I've bought many cameras with film in them and I always just toss it out.

Cool stuff!

jcoldslabs

29-Jun-2012, 18:13

I've processed a few rolls of film found in old cameras, but I never had anything as interesting as sailboats. Many are usually blank from not being exposed or are completely exposed from people opening the camera over the years. Here is what I found on a roll of Verichrome Pan last year that must have been from the 60s. Latent images last longer than you might think.

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/VP-%28Found-In-Old-Camera%291.jpg

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/VP-%28Found-In-Old-6x6-Camera.jpg

Jonathan

Robbie Bedell

29-Jun-2012, 19:20

I love this stuff... I once obtained a wooden 8x10 glass plate holder. I had no idea there was a plate inside as the fiest slide I opened showed nothing. I then opened the second slide and there found a glass plate which i obbviously exposed. To this day I wonder what could have been on that plate had it been long ago exposed. I use it now to look at the sun whenever there is an eclipse, which is not too often! Robbie

http://robbiebedell.photoshelter.com

Robbie Bedell

29-Jun-2012, 19:21

Parden my spelling. It's late!

jcoldslabs

29-Jun-2012, 20:47

Robbie,

I have ruined numerous plates and sheet film from purchased holders, too. It's been a while since I've bought any holders, but I will make sure to open them in darkness just in case.

Jonathan

Robbie Bedell

30-Jun-2012, 09:27

Jonathan, I am convinced there are historical photos out there waiting to be developed. But I wonder what a hundred-year-old image would look like when processed... if it would show up at all...Robbie

http://robbiebedell.photoshelter.com

Randy

19-Jul-2012, 15:25

I purchased a bag of photographs at a local flee market last weekend. Most were from the late 60's. Probably 50+ pictures in the bag. Most just snapshots of family get togethers. There were three pictures that just made me laugh :)

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/52893762/old1.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/52893762/old2.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/52893762/old3.jpg

mdm

19-Jul-2012, 15:32

Eat your heart out instagram. Love the last.

Rick A

21-Jul-2012, 05:32

Family photo from 1954, thats me sitting front left at 2 years of age. I printed this a couple of days ago from an internegative I made in the early 70's and just recently rediscovered.

77562

Rick A

21-Jul-2012, 05:50

Another from the same day, including my mother, grandmother, and sisters.

77563

jcoldslabs

1-Aug-2012, 02:05

This is a series of photographs my grandfather took in 1939 after his first year on the job at Weirton Steel in Steubenville, OH. Sorry for the image overload, but they do work best as a full series, I think. The negatives have not survived; these are scans of the original prints. They were likely taken with a Kodak Retina II. I still have this camera of his and it still works well!

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/Weirton-Group-ALL.jpg

Jonathan

alman1

1-Aug-2012, 02:29

Your grandfather was a very good photographer!

jcoldslabs

1-Aug-2012, 03:07

Your grandfather was a very good photographer!

I've always thought so. It's a shame he spent his life in the steel business. He could have done well with photography if he had tried, I'm sure. I have him to thank for getting me interested in photography and buying me my first camera at age nine, so he passed his love of it on to me.

Jonathan

jmooney

1-Aug-2012, 04:23

Your grandfather was a very good photographer!

+1

This is a wonderful series!

bracan

1-Aug-2012, 04:24

Excellent series!

dasBlute

1-Aug-2012, 08:49

this steel-mill series is awesome, thanks for sharing

al olson

1-Aug-2012, 09:01

I've always thought so. It's a shame he spent his life in the steel business. He could have done well with photography if he had tried, I'm sure. I have him to thank for getting me interested in photography and buying me my first camera at age nine, so he passed his love of it on to me.

Jonathan

Your grandfather had a good eye for composition. I especially like the low light scenes. Did he have a light meter or was he estimating exposure. I would like to see some of these images in a larger size.

resummerfield

1-Aug-2012, 10:09

Nice series! Thanks for posting these!

alanbutler57

1-Aug-2012, 11:38

Great series, thanks for sharing! Some of these would be good stock images.

mdm

1-Aug-2012, 12:38

Beautiful, thanks for posting.

jcoldslabs

1-Aug-2012, 12:43

Thanks to all for the positive comments. It makes me smile to think that his photos are garnering some small bit of attention after all these years. He was also very witty. On the back of each photo he hand wrote captions and notes, many of which are humorous.

I can't be sure if he used a meter or not, and I have no idea what film was used. I have a feeling these shots were all from the same roll, since there are 37 photos total and they seem to have been processed and printed at the same time. If so, that would be even more amazing to me, as I tend to get one or two good shots from a roll! I really wish the negatives survived, but I had a chance to go through all of my grandparents' things when my grandmother passed away ten years ago and there were no photo related items left at all.

I'll post a few of my favorites larger and individually shortly since there seems to be some interest.

Jonathan

Winger

1-Aug-2012, 15:49

Very nice series and very well exposed and printed. Great detail for such a variation of lighting. Nice to see a piece of history that's survived.

Keith Fleming

1-Aug-2012, 21:09

Jonathan,

Those are superb photos by your grandfather. My history background causes me to urge that you consider locating a historical society in Steubenville--and perhaps also the Ohio museum in Columbus--and donate sets of the prints in your grandfather's name. Those prints have significant historical value that will endure. They would be used for exhibits and even histories of the steel industry in that region. It would keep your grandfather's vision and work in the public eye.

Keith

jcoldslabs

2-Aug-2012, 01:21

Keith,

I agree. I made a half-assed attempt to locate an organization in Steubenville that might want the images, but on a first pass I couldn't find any takers as I recall. This was a few years ago. I seem to remember contacting one historical group and heard nothing back. I should try again. Your idea to go the Columbus route is a good idea. Steubenville is such a small town that I might need to approach a state historical society.

Jonathan

jcoldslabs

2-Aug-2012, 01:28

Here are a few of the Weirton Steel images a bit larger. They aren't tack sharp. I assume this is from slow film and being hand-held. The first one is my favorite of the lot.

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/Weirton-Steel-E.jpg

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/Weirton-Steel-16.jpg

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/Weirton-Steel-I.jpg

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/Weirton-Steel-06.jpg

Jonathan

snay1345

2-Aug-2012, 06:49

Those images of weirton steel are interesting to me. I was a recruiter in Stuebenville and Weirton about 5 years ago. My wife is from wheeling. When I left the steel mill was still there, but not operating. Everyone around the area kept hoping the steel mill would open back up. Of all my time in the area the only place I saw any kind of historical photos or anything was a place in downtown wheeling that layed out the area of the Ohio valley and the steel mills. It was kind of a museum I believe. When I leave Japan and go back to visit my inlaws I was planning on taking my 8x10 around weirton to photograph the steel mill. It is pretty sad how run down the area has become.

If anything I would think you would find a group that would value the photos more in Pittsburgh which is only about a 25 minute drive from that steel mill. There is a large historical and art crowd there that I am sure would love to have copies of those prints.

Bryan Lemasters

2-Aug-2012, 09:47

Jonathan, these are terrific photos! Weirton Steel Corporation was centered just across the Ohio river from Stuebenville. Some of the mills in the area are still in operation, though struggling and under an ever-changing ownership. If you are still considering donating the images, I might make these two suggestions: The Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center (www.weirtonmuseum.com), or the Ohio Historical Society (http://www.ohiohistory.org). I think that the former might value the images a bit more since it is so much a part of their local history.

jcoldslabs

2-Aug-2012, 11:58

Bryan Lemasters

2-Aug-2012, 12:31

Jonathan, there were several mills in the area at the time. I do not know how many different mill locations Weirton Steel had, but they did own a mill in Steubenville. Results of a quick search: http://www.answers.com/topic/weirton-steel-corp

bob carnie

2-Aug-2012, 12:39

plus 1

Jonathan,

Those are superb photos by your grandfather. My history background causes me to urge that you consider locating a historical society in Steubenville--and perhaps also the Ohio museum in Columbus--and donate sets of the prints in your grandfather's name. Those prints have significant historical value that will endure. They would be used for exhibits and even histories of the steel industry in that region. It would keep your grandfather's vision and work in the public eye.

Keith

JosephBurke

2-Aug-2012, 13:43

Re: Weirton Steel. Wow! I could look at images like these all day ! Excellent!
--Joe Burke

Bryan Lemasters

2-Aug-2012, 16:01

Jonathan, in your original post you have one image (2nd one down in right column) that includes a barge on the river. I think that this was taken from the mill at the northern end of Weirton. I would love to see a larger version.

Would also love to read some of the descriptions that your grandfather wrote!

snay1345

2-Aug-2012, 18:39

Bryan,

Thanks for the links. I'll send out some queries and see who bites.

So does that mean the steel mill is actually across the river in WV? All I know is that my grandparents lived in Steubenville from 1938-1963 while my grandfather worked there.

Jonathan

The photos you have look like the main steel mill that is about 3 miles long that snakes through weirton. And yes steubenville is directly across the river from weirton. There is a pretty nice bridge actually that connects the two towns.

jcoldslabs

26-Aug-2012, 19:41

A photo of my grandmother (on the left) and a friend in Berlin in 1936. Hard to imagine a casual tourist visit to Germany during that time, but clearly it happened. Yikes.

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/Germany-1936.jpg

And the back side:

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/Germany-1936-BACK.jpg

Jonathan

Miguel Coquis

27-Aug-2012, 00:36

...time dimension is surprising/unbelievable...amazing !!!
thanks for posting it !

27-Aug-2012, 07:37

http://jason.philbrook.us/~jp/scans/2012/img735.jpg

Someone lent me a wooden box of glass plate negatives just piled in there. They've been in an attic for who knows how long. This is a 5x7 glass plate. There were also many 4x5 glass plates. I've slowly been repackaging them into archival sleeves. I'd guess they were vacationers rather than soldiers judging by the fishing poles, bicycles, and storm shutters on the cottage.

mdm

27-Aug-2012, 16:29

Love those push bikes. We are lazy with our cars.

Annie M.

27-Aug-2012, 17:43

Women and their furs & men in their hats... typical Canadians :)

79560

jcoldslabs

27-Aug-2012, 20:20

Looking over this thread it seems, at least to me, that the most consistently compelling photos have people in them while the scenics tend to be less interesting, unless you have personal knowledge of the locality that's depicted. I wonder what this means for those of us NOT taking portraits in our LF work, myself included. Will the landscapes and still life shots be of less interest in 100 years?

Jonathan

mdm

27-Aug-2012, 20:28

I think the ones we like are not portraits in a formal sense, but pictures of people. I think if you make pictures in your day to day life people are in there, even yours and mine. I was looking at an Ansel Adams picture of the Golden Gate before the bridge, I wonder if he purposefully made it before the bridge went up or if he just made it for the sake of a beautiful print and then lo, the bridge went up one day. There is a picture that has something of value even without departed people it.

jcoldslabs

27-Aug-2012, 21:31

David,

I agree, "pictures of people" is more apt than the term "portrait." And yes, of course, there are many interesting photos taken through the ages without a single person in them, but speaking only for myself, even when looking through old family photos, images of people, sometimes people I cannot recognize or name, interest me more than a scene of open prairie or a mountain range. Adams and O'Sullivan made wonderful photographs of the western landscape and these will likely endure, but when given the choice of looking at a snapshot of a mountain or a snapshot of a person from 1910, I'll choose the person almost every time.

Jonathan

jcoldslabs

28-Aug-2012, 01:06

From a time when airplane travel was, I presume, a rare and notable event.

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/Ford-Tri-Motor-01.jpg

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/Ford-Tri-Motor-02.jpg

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/Ford-Tri-Motor-03.jpg

Jonathan

28-Aug-2012, 20:19

Awesome! A ford trimotor is still (and even more) a rare and awesome event. I went up in one in the early 1980's as a child at a nearby museum. Never forget it. Wicker seats, I could see down through a gap between the floor and the wall. Loud and relatively slow for a multi-engine plane. This is entirely a different experience than what we consider commercial flight.

polyglot

28-Aug-2012, 20:25

A question: is this a thread for found LF photos or any old found photos?

jcoldslabs

28-Aug-2012, 20:58

A question: is this a thread for found LF photos or any old found photos?

I've posted non-LF photos to this thread, but that doesn't mean I was following the rules, whatever they may be. It seems to me that old photos in general are in the spirit of this thread. But then again, who am I to say?

Jonathan

Leigh

28-Aug-2012, 21:17

AFAIK it's for all formats. As such it should probably be in the Lounge.

- Leigh

mdm

28-Aug-2012, 23:50

Not much point in being too pedantic, they are all interesting. The glass plates I posted were presumably made with a view camera, though they were small.

jcoldslabs

18-Sep-2012, 00:44

I found some 35mm Kodachrome slides my grandfather shot circa 1939-1941, right after he and my grandmother were married. I didn't color correct them so they would retain their vintage Kodachrome patina.

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/VINTAGE---Kodachrome-10.jpg

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/VINTAGE---Kodachrome-16.jpg

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/VINTAGE---Kodachrome-01.jpg

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/VINTAGE---Kodachrome-03.jpg

Jonathan

jcoldslabs

18-Sep-2012, 00:44

And a few more:

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/VINTAGE---Kodachrome-07.jpg

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/VINTAGE---Kodachrome-11.jpg

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/VINTAGE---Kodachrome-12.jpg

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/VINTAGE---Kodachrome-08.jpg

Jonathan

Robert Budding

18-Sep-2012, 05:42

I've enjoyed looking at all of the photos in this thread, regardless of format.

Robbie Bedell

24-Sep-2012, 19:23

Those Tri-motor photos are grand! My father was a long-time test pilot (40 years) and I know he would have loved seeing them. ..These two photos were found in New York City. They are cyanotypes and are a beautiful blue color. For some reason my scanner is refusing to give me the color. But I think these photos just might be the beginnings of the construction of Grand Central Station. If anyone can chime in on this fact please do! Robbie

http://robbiebedell.photoshelter.com

mdm

24-Sep-2012, 19:33

fabulous. Specially the second.

Scott Davis

25-Sep-2012, 08:57

81015

81016

This appears to be the Commandant of the Washington Navy Yard's official residence, now known as Quarters A, and used as the home of the Chief of Naval Operations, the commanding Admiral of the US Navy. Taken between 1860-1870. The notation on the back is "View of Capt Patterson's House, from the N.Yd". Captain Patterson was the Commandant from 1836-1839, when he died in the house. I find it a bit odd that it would have been noted as such on the card, with the photo having been taken some 20-30 years removed from the passing of Capt. Patterson. The house is also referred to as Tingey House, after the first Commandant of the Navy Yard and the first occupant of the home, built in 1801. The house has been much modified since then, and bears little resemblance to the house in the photo as it was heavily Victorianized in the last quarter of the 19th century, both inside and out. The original structure was conceived and built in 1801.

Tony Evans

25-Sep-2012, 13:28

Drinkwater, Saskatchewan 1908.

81019

From Drinkwater family per Public Archives. Cleaned up in PS.

DrTang

25-Sep-2012, 13:55

From a 5x7 Glass Plate Neg

81020

jcoldslabs

25-Sep-2012, 15:59

I hope it's OK to keep posting old family photos. I didn't so much find them as they were bequeathed to me, so I'm not sure if they qualify for this thread.

These two are of my grandmother around age 2-3 which would date them to around 1918-1919.

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/VINTAGE-Jean-as-Girl-04.jpg

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/VINTAGE-Jean-as-Girl-03.jpg

Jonathan

jcoldslabs

30-Sep-2012, 03:34

A couple more.

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/VINTAGE---Jack-as-Boy-02.jpg

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/VINTAGE-Jean-as-Girl-02.jpg

Jonathan

mdm

30-Sep-2012, 16:44

Drinkwater, Saskatchewan 1908.

From Drinkwater family per Public Archives. Cleaned up in PS.

This is splendid, what a find.

jcoldslabs

4-Oct-2012, 03:15

On the border of this one is handwritten, "Uncle Walter, Philippines, WWI." I've included a detail of the photo below. It's in fine shape for its age.

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/Philippines-WWI.jpg

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/Philippines-WWI-DETAIL.jpg

Jonathan

Mark Stahlke

4-Oct-2012, 09:21

Here a couple of historical negatives that belong to a friend of mine. The first is Adm. Byrd in his snow cruiser. The second is one of Byrd's ships in the harbor.
8145081451

ca19bl9025ed05

5-Oct-2012, 03:28

Hey Guys, first post on the forum, think this query fits in best here...
These are 5x7 positive plates, the images are from the the french colonial exposition, interesting subject matter and imagery,
Any thoughts as to their original purpose (reference/projection/light box?) would be appreciated. thought some people may find them interesting, i can upload some more detailed shots later if anyone is interested. I have four plates in all.
i just wondered if anyone had seen this kind of positive (contact sheet almost?) plate before? Another interesting factor is they seem to
be stereoscopic as on each row of four two scenes are repeated slightly displaced.

Also thanks to all you guys posting on here, although only a medium format user myself, i find all the threads discussed on here fascinating, it is spurring me on to push myself on to larger things.

Thanks
Cameron

http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s549/cb1027/fce193101_zpsf229944e.jpg
http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s549/cb1027/fce193103_zps61b0504e.jpg

jcoldslabs

6-Oct-2012, 02:39

I love the expression on the little girl's face.

Inscribed "Bowman 1912"

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/Vintage-1912.jpg

Jonathan

Scott Davis

7-Oct-2012, 13:22

81625

81626

Any help in identifying the car would be much appreciated. I'm guessing this is pre 1920, definitely not later than 1925 by the ignition retardant gear on the steering wheel.

The car is wearing tires by Goodrich. These are 8x10 inch prints on 11x14 mount boards, which are marked "John D. Isaac, Batavia, New York" on the verso.

8-Oct-2012, 06:56

Oldsmobile Five Passenger Model 37 Touring Car (similar to 1917, but I don't know old cars enough to figure out the year)

Scott Davis

8-Oct-2012, 15:34

Actually, just did some more digging- it looks like a Studebaker, roughly 1916-1918. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction though. It's not an Olds because if you look carefully at the vent slats in the hood, on the Olds, they're angled, and on this car, they're vertical. Also, the Olds doors are suicide rear, standard front, whereas this one has suicide doors in front and standards in the rear.

billie williams

8-Oct-2012, 16:07

I'm a great fan of the found image

Film found in an old Kodak VPC (http://fourtoes.co.uk/iblog/?p=568)

Glass negs found in a set of holders (http://fourtoes.co.uk/iblog/?p=1702)

Dry plate neg found in a plate holder (http://fourtoes.co.uk/iblog/?p=2497)

That story about the old Kodak VPC was great! Just great! But, what is the difference between a camera and an old sock?

Leigh

8-Oct-2012, 16:30

what is the difference between a camera and an old sock?
Walking on a camera hurts your feet. :D

- Leigh

lenser

8-Oct-2012, 17:57

Founds these when I bought my studio back in the 70's. Looks like dodging bullets and digging foxholes wasn't the only activity during WWII in the Pacific.These wer part of a collection of at least 200 negatives from Hawaii and several Pacific theaters. 8170281703

gustavus

16-Oct-2012, 19:54

Leigh

26-Oct-2012, 21:41

Link to a BBC photo article about vintage Hollywood photos: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-19947444
and mention of an exhibit/book of these entitled "Hollywood Unseen".

- Leigh

mdm

27-Oct-2012, 14:23

Well worth a look. Thanks

ca19bl9025ed05

29-Oct-2012, 07:00

A contractor demolishing an old building not far from my home found well over 1500 - 5" x 7" glass positive plates inside the building. He had the forethought to leave them with the Town Hall. Who now want to have them digitized.

Inside each envelope there are a couple of proofs along with the original positive plate, I only had a chance to have a peek at a few of the pictures.

I did submit my offer to digitize the lot, now to research the best method to accomplish this task.

8216682167

Hey Gustavas

Sounds like a fascinating find! And a great project to be involved in. As you may have seen on the previous page i am looking into similar methods,
as it seems i may struggle to project my 5 x 7 slides, i am attempting to get as higher quality digital file as possible. Right now it is looking like backlighting using a light box on a good quality flat bed is what i will do first. Then possibly looking into creating a rostrum style (http://www.briansmithonline.com/video/images/rostrum_camera.jpg) set up with the slide on a Lightbox and using a full frame digi to capture the slide.
Good luck with the offer i can imagine that will be a really interesting task, if you have other ideas about how you will digitise your slides too i would be grateful to hear them.

Cameron

gustavus

30-Oct-2012, 06:25

Thank you for the link to the Rosstrum set up, I would like to build that unit to experiment with as well, I don't think it will be much use in capturing an image from a glass plate.

A light box with the FF camera would work but it would be more time consuming than using a good scanner even if you had to make an adapter to hold the plate.

I just received my V-750 which came with the wet set up for using Kami.

Fortunately all the glass plates came with a set of prints which produce reasonably good scans.

http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb466/gelmgren/scrap%20forum/Caldwell-JM-Baby-Trike.gif

http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb466/gelmgren/scrap%20forum/UrbannowskiJoseph.gif

gustavus

30-Oct-2012, 06:40

Couple more,

http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb466/gelmgren/gold%20forum/MindukJoeandBrother.gif

http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb466/gelmgren/gold%20forum/honarywithtwomen.gif

Scott Davis

5-Nov-2012, 08:25

Gustavus- those are some pretty amazing photos - I really like those last two you posted. Might there be some way to obtain prints of them?

Jody_S

5-Nov-2012, 09:03

http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb466/gelmgren/scrap%20forum/UrbannowskiJoseph.gif

I am mesmerized.

gustavus

5-Nov-2012, 20:57

Gustavus- those are some pretty amazing photos - I really like those last two you posted. Might there be some way to obtain prints of them?

Definitely, PM sent

gustavus

5-Nov-2012, 21:18

Few more from the collection, enjoy.

http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb466/gelmgren/gold%20forum/SheremataASisters.gif

http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb466/gelmgren/gold%20forum/Andale-S.gif

mdm

5-Nov-2012, 21:48

Beautiful, what a magnificent find. I love that last one, very different to what we do nowdays.

austin granger

5-Nov-2012, 22:55

Leyte, Philippines, 1944
83083

This is scanned from a print I made in my darkroom some years ago. The picture was made by my friend Sam's grandfather (deceased), William S. Young. If I recall correctly, Young worked for the Stars and Stripes newspaper during WWII and was all over the pacific theater. Anyway, Sam has a giant box filled with probably thousands of his grandfather's old negatives which he let me look through one night. I borrowed this one to print. I'm sure there are a number of incredible images in that box, but unfortunately, neither he nor I have the ability to take on such a project right now.

As for the picture, obviously it is haunting, and disturbing, but exactly what is happening here remains a mystery. I can tell you that the men in the background are laughing.

sully75

6-Nov-2012, 05:49

My mom found a box of negatives clearing out a distant-non-relatives house. I confess, they aren't exactly LF. There were some from what Jay Defehr thought was a "postcard camera". Something like 7cm x 10cm I think. And some smaller stuff. The pictures are all amazing though. A really good and creative photographer. I ended up chucking all the negatives...I'm guessing they were nitrocellulose and I didn't want them in the house.

Anyway, I'll post a few. More on my flickr page. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulmcevoy/sets/72157629834404174/with/7243445010/)
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7097/7243445010_7b9c4c7177_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulmcevoy/7243445010/)
The Wreck of the Bessie White (http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulmcevoy/7243445010/) by Paul McEvoy (http://www.flickr.com/people/paulmcevoy/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7077/7243454070_545bfe54c8_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulmcevoy/7243454070/)
Marbles (http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulmcevoy/7243454070/) by Paul McEvoy (http://www.flickr.com/people/paulmcevoy/), on Flickr

Scott Davis

6-Nov-2012, 11:15

83120

Acquired at a Photorama swap meet. When I got it it was dusty and dingy looking on the inside. I opened the packet and cleaned the cover glass, and it sprang back to life. 1/6 plate ruby ambrotype in an octagonal Union case.

jcoldslabs

7-Nov-2012, 04:08

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/Vintage---22.jpg

Jonathan

jcoldslabs

7-Nov-2012, 04:16

Now that's a mustache!

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/Vintage---23.jpg

Jonathan

Tony Evans

8-Nov-2012, 09:32

Brookmire's Wedding Day, 1856.

83229

Original print unframed on cardboard, courtesy Drinkwater family. Commercially scanned and cleaned up in PS. The Brookmire's were born in Ontario and married there before emmigrating to Montana. Records suggest that in 1856 they were aged in there mid-twenties. Some problems here. The grey beard and the Grizzly coat, the latter more likely in Montana. Also 1856 seems very early for this quality studio image. Contributors on another Forum have suggested that Mr. Brookmire might have been blonde and the coat could be a studio prop. The owner of this print is now deceased and I have given up on any further research.

cowanw

8-Nov-2012, 11:40

Maybe Mr Broookmire married twice?

Tony Evans

9-Nov-2012, 14:43

Family records are complete, he did not marry twice.

hendrik faure

9-Nov-2012, 16:21

83321

this was taken by Hermann Roselieb about 1935. he worked Zeiss göttingen, so he had a good 9x12cm Camera. I got his glass plates from his brother arnold, enlarged some of them and made an exhibition in the Tanzsaal (dancing hall) of our village (700 people, most came). Hermann Roselieb was a really good photographer, unfortunately many of his portraits show people in nazi uniforms (photos taken for Wehrmacht passeports) so I think better not to show. Hermann Roselieb died shortly after an deadly accident of his beloved wife, his brother died two years ago

C4D

11-Nov-2012, 10:08

http://markkarpinski.com/web/35mm/moments_death.jpg

Veterans day is today I wanted to share something from a current project I'm working on. I offer vintage photograph restoration and editing services and I'm currently working on a personal collection of photographs for a client who's grandfather was a high ranking officer during World War ll. Sam B. Lewis is his name and Sam was also an expert hobbyist photographer during his service. Sam photographed an amazing collection of his view of World War ll and I have really enjoyed exploring and restoring his original negatives.

This particular photograph has some amazing historical significance as this is a capture of the 1938 Cadillac Model 75 that General Patton was riding in on his way to the countryside outside Mannheim, Germany. Moments later after this photograph was taken the vehicle was in a crash with a truck that seriously injured General Patton which weeks later he passed way from the injuries sustained from the crash.

I think this image is one of the best hidden gems I have so far come across while restoring World War ll collections as I have never seen a photograph of the Cadillac moments before the crash and while the car was in motion with Patton aboard. I have seen many photos of the wrecked vehicle but not at this point of the timeline of the historic crash. What makes it even more interesting is there is some controversy over Patton's death and some believe he was murdered and many experts believe that the 38 Cadillac displayed at the Patton Museum is a fake and some of the after photos of the crash might be a different car as well. The one thing I have noticed with those photographs is I can not find any with the "USA" side hood stamp or any with the permit stickers in the front windshield of the after crash images like the photo above has included. I'm no expert on this but I do find it pretty interesting!

Original 6x9 negative had mold, scratches, and some dis-colored stains but with a little time I was able to polish it up beautifully with amazing atmosphere and mood. This is the first time this photograph has been seen by the public and I hope everyone enjoys it for Veterans Day!

'Moments before the death of an American Hero"

Photographed by Sam B. Lewis
Restored and edited by Mark Karpinski

mdm

11-Nov-2012, 12:54

Its a stunning photograph. It has am amazing atmosphere, with all the shadow and the emphasis on the menace of the car rather than the blur of the crowd.

C4D

11-Nov-2012, 14:03

absolutely... I can honestly say it is one of the best artistic photographs I have ever had the pleasure to work with included any of my own photographs. The photograph portrays some many wonderful examples why photography is a strong artistic medium. For example I love the strong contrast of the highlighted front windshield next to the dark mysterious side windows that contain a famous general moments before tragedy... amazing foreshadowing really almost like the photograph knew the fate of the near future. Another strong contrast point is the one person in the background crowd that is wearing white, maybe a sign of something like a single angel surrounded in a impossible prominent dark scene... just very neat, you can find many things in this photograph.

Jim Cole

11-Nov-2012, 15:17

'Moments before the death of an American Hero"

Photographed by Sam B. Lewis
Restored and edited by Mark Karpinski

This really is a great photograph. The car really stands out from the background as if it's been elevated to "special status" within the photographic record, quite different than the way a normal subject grabs attention. I can't quite put my finger on it or express very well what I'm trying to say. The car is almost otherworldly. A premonition?

C4D

12-Nov-2012, 09:39

A premonition?

I think you have found the perfect statement to help explain the photograph... I to have trouble expressing the feeling of the scene, its easy to feel but hard to put in words!

Thanks Jim!

Sevo

12-Nov-2012, 10:23

Nice legend. But the moment between photograph and crash might have been much bigger than the tradition has it - the house in the background is not on the Mannheimer Straße (the road leading to the accident site). All remaining pre-war structures there are much smaller and lower class, and most of it was rebuilt in the post-war years (so that it will have been in ruins in 1945) - and the entire borough (a village turned working class district) is quite unlikely to have ever sported a inner city building. Besides, there seems to be a massive crowd of spectators on the roadside, so this was probably taken during a parade or at least on approach to some public event, rather than on a private ride through suburbia.

C4D

12-Nov-2012, 10:52

From what I have been told... the crowd of people are US service men waving good bye to Patton as he was set to leave Germany and head back to the US for retirement in the next few days. So this was some sort of a celebration parade to show thanks.
I just can't figure out exactly where this was taken and what part of the timeline. I'm really starting to think it was in the town of Heidelberg because this particular photographer has many photos of the town at this period of time. I just don't know if it was the day of the crash or a day before. I can find info that there was a impromptu good bye parade for Patton but I cant find the exact date or location, just a simple mention of it.

Another interesting thing I found is last night I rescanned the negative overexposing it as much as I could with the scanner I can now totally see Horace L. Woodring driving the vehicle and two shadow figures in the rear of the car so I'm pretty certain Patton is in this car at the time. I can share it if anyone is interested.

Thanks Sevo for your insight of this... and if anyone has any resources that can maybe get the real history or possibility of this photograph I would greatly appreciate it!

al olson

12-Nov-2012, 15:46

I am curious as to why, if General Patton were in the car, there is no General's flag on the fender. The Army is usually quite anal regarding this formality.

Scott Davis

13-Nov-2012, 10:54

I agree that the style of studio portrait suggests a much later date. Possibly it was 1886 not 1856? That could explain his appearance as well as the style. How big is the original print? if it is 5x7-ish or larger, it is most likely NOT 1856 (not that you can't find bigger prints from that period, but 1856 is the dawn of the CDV era, and most images on paper from that time period were 2.5"x4" Cartes-de-Visites (CDVs).

Brookmire's Wedding Day, 1856.

83229

Original print unframed on cardboard, courtesy Drinkwater family. Commercially scanned and cleaned up in PS. The Brookmire's were born in Ontario and married there before emmigrating to Montana. Records suggest that in 1856 they were aged in there mid-twenties. Some problems here. The grey beard and the Grizzly coat, the latter more likely in Montana. Also 1856 seems very early for this quality studio image. Contributors on another Forum have suggested that Mr. Brookmire might have been blonde and the coat could be a studio prop. The owner of this print is now deceased and I have given up on any further research.

Scott Davis

13-Nov-2012, 11:00

83447

Here's one I found in an antique shop in Gettysburg, PA, for $2. The sitter is anonymous, but the photographer is Mrs. H.F. Stuart, one of the founders (along with William Mumler, who worked out of the same studio she did) of "spirit photography". Obviously not a spirit photo (no hovering forms of deceased loved ones/friends/family/'spiritual guides' in the background), but an overall outstanding image. The scan does not do the original condition justice - the albumen of the print has a like-new sheen, without the crazing and matte finish you expect from vintage prints.

Craig Fransen

14-Nov-2012, 08:52

In addition to making LF images, I too enjoy collecting and scanning old photos, especially glass negatives. Random pictures are nice, but what is truly interesting is when I know something about the photographer or the subject. Armed with these and resources such as ancestry.com, etc., it is often possible to track down the subjects' descendants.

My first try at this was with a set of photos purchased at the local St. Vincent de Paul of Wadena, Mn c. 1905. Some of the plates were in envelopes with labels. I was able to track down a descendant of one photo (http://public.fotki.com/cfransen/old-photographs/wadena-minn/wadena-009-neg-no.html), a lady in Massachusetts as I recall.

But a real gold mine turned up when I purchased a lot of 1,500 8 x 10 glass negatives from Bushnell Studios, Portland, OR c. 1915. The more I scanned, the more I studied these negatives, the more entranced I became. Almost every one was inscribed with the subject's last name, along with the order (e.g., 5 8 x 10 buff hazy), and the photographer's catalog number. So not only could I try to track down descendants, but I could put the photos into a timeline.

Almost every negative had been retouched. From faint scratches on the faces, to scratches outlining shoulders, etc., to wax crayon (or something) highlighting wedding dresses, to painted backgrounds, added details such as clock faces, entire book cases, the artistry is to me astounding.

83508

The ones online currently as just the first ones I scanned. Many more (and more beautiful) images to come.

See the Bushnell folder at this link:

http://public.fotki.com/cfransen/old-photographs/

ImSoNegative

14-Nov-2012, 11:43

I love looking at all these old images, probably my favorite thread in image sharing, thanks to the OP

searover

14-Nov-2012, 12:13

Here is a Daguerreotype of a stylish gent - that my wife found in a shop in Florida.

83528
I have scanned this at 1200dpi and enlarged it to 13x
his blemishes on the cheek are clearly visible
amazing for nearly 200 year old image

Too bad the kids didn't care about their ancestors...

searover

14-Nov-2012, 12:25

Here is the scan at 1200 dpi and 13x cropped for this post.

83529
Pretty good for the complete subject, light, lens, plate system

mdm

14-Nov-2012, 12:26

That is the ultimate find, a daguerrotype.

sly

15-Nov-2012, 20:58

A local collector has hired me to print some of his collection of negatives and lantern slides. Among my favorites are these 2: the Grteenland Inniuts is from a lantern slide, printed on Ilford Direct Positive paper, the "fire auto" other is from a 5x7 glass plate.8363883639

gustavus

16-Nov-2012, 13:42

Another shot from the collection we're currently archiving.

http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb466/gelmgren/scrap%20forum/6-87-Dr-JW-with-Dog.gif

Randy

16-Nov-2012, 16:57

83508

See the Bushnell folder at this link:

http://public.fotki.com/cfransen/old-photographs/

Personally, and this is just me, but if I visit an on-line gallery like this, and all the images are covered with watermarks, I don't go beyond the first picture, click out of the site and don't go back...but that's just me.

Leigh

16-Nov-2012, 17:37

Personally, and this is just me, but if I visit an on-line gallery like this, and all the images are covered with watermarks, I don't go beyond the first picture, click out of the site and don't go back...but that's just me.
I agree completely, and I do likewise.

It's particularly humorous when someone asserts copyright on vintage images given the fact that no such copyright exists.

- Leigh

C. D. Keth

16-Nov-2012, 17:45

I agree completely, and I do likewise.

It's particularly humorous when someone asserts copyright on vintage images given the fact that no such copyright exists.

- Leigh

I've always wondered about that. What about copyright on a print made from an old negative? The source material isn't copyrighted but a photographic print is more than just a copy, there's a certain artistry involved there and something new added to the equation.

Leigh

16-Nov-2012, 18:09

You can check the details in the FAQ at www.copyright.gov

It's my understanding that the requirements for asserting a new copyright require "significant" change, not
just rendering in a different medium.

- Leigh

gustavus

17-Nov-2012, 09:38

http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb466/gelmgren/large%20format%20photo/Big-Horse-96-dpi.gif

Peter Mounier

17-Nov-2012, 09:57

It's particularly humorous when someone asserts copyright on vintage images given the fact that no such copyright exists.

- Leigh

It's my understanding that the requirements for asserting a new copyright require "significant" change, not
just rendering in a different medium.

- Leigh

I don't really see any problem with what Craig is doing. He hasn't asserted new copyright over the image. He's just stated they "are from the collection of ..." The original copyright has presumably expired, and he's acquired the photos legitimately, and he's hopes to sell them to interested parties after investing time and money to restore them.

Peter

Leigh

17-Nov-2012, 13:21

I don't really see any problem with what Craig is doing. He hasn't asserted new copyright over the image.
He has a copyright © and year on every image on his first page. I didn't go beyond that.

- Leigh

ImSoNegative

17-Nov-2012, 13:28

fantastic!!

ImSoNegative

17-Nov-2012, 13:29

http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb466/gelmgren/large%20format%20photo/Big-Horse-96-dpi.gif

Now thats a horse

Peter Mounier

17-Nov-2012, 14:44

He has a copyright © and year on every image on his first pate. I didn't go beyond that.

- Leigh

Yes, you're right. I just saw the watermark and didn't scroll up to see his caption and ©. I agree that he can't claim copyright.

Peter

gustavus

17-Nov-2012, 16:09

http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb466/gelmgren/large%20format%20photo/1-132Tomy_rossburn.gif

http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb466/gelmgren/large%20format%20photo/1-132tomypapercutout_rossburn.gif

http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb466/gelmgren/large%20format%20photo/100_7059.jpg

gustavus

18-Nov-2012, 20:26

Here's a neat photo from WWI

http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb466/gelmgren/large%20format%20photo/WWI-Children-in-Uniform.gif

Robert Langham

21-Nov-2012, 07:25

I love old photos. These were cheap off Ebay. I use them teaching and just enjoy having them. Several framed around the house.

84052 "weather" editorial shot for a Chicago paper. Looks like Cartier-Bresson.

Robert Langham

21-Nov-2012, 07:27

First old photo I ever bought. 1932, with manual photoshop- they just painted the background and enhanced some lines for newspaper publication. It's an original angry bird!

84053

Robert Langham

21-Nov-2012, 07:28

Photo looks like a Clift but it's a news/travel photo from Jamaica or the Carribean.

84054

Robert Langham

21-Nov-2012, 07:30

Sent in to a Chicago paper by a suburb photographer. Wonderful.

84055

Robert Langham

21-Nov-2012, 07:32

Measuring a Canadian WWII prisoner for uniform. Manual photoshop on the background. It's a wonderful photo, manipulation and historical artifact. Cheap as heck off ebay.

84056

Robert Langham

21-Nov-2012, 07:34

Stock 8X10 contact sent out by Jerry Colonna, Bob Hope's straight man. Must have sent these all over the country. It is date stamped on the back for about 6 uses in the paper. Grease pencil crop marks. I've thought about mounting three or four of these as a series. Cheap and wonderful.

84057

Robert Langham

21-Nov-2012, 07:36

Not even a photo...a wire image scan sent all over from Vietnam. The beggar of Saigon. 1972. I've got this baby framed.

84058

Robert Langham

21-Nov-2012, 07:39

I've got a good idea! How about you go along with me while I lower a ladder and extract some guys from a little mountaintop while angry soldiers with AK-47s try to kill them? And us? It's just a little flight down the river. Nothing will probably go wrong, unless we crash and burn and die. Just a scan but OMG.

84059 Marine Recon unit over the Bong Son river after hot extraction, Vietnam.

Robert Langham

21-Nov-2012, 07:43

1942 in New Jersey. This guy dancing and doing the Travolta Saturday Night Fever move turns out to be the guy the STORY was based on. "Killer" Joe Piro, who goes on to be a famous dance instructor for the next 40 years in the NYC area. Did a Smirmoff commercial for their drink, "the Mule", was photographed by Avedon. Look him up on WIKI.

84060

Robert Langham

21-Nov-2012, 07:47

Such a dramatic image from about 1934 or so. The perspective looked odd. I wondered what high-performance wide angle lens they had back then. Got the photo and it is TWO photographs rubber-cemented together, right down the corner of the building. Gotta love those old-time news photographers. Halftones concealed many sins! Cheap as hell on Ebay. Framed in the house, next to a Caponigro, right now.

84061 Chicago Federal Building, 1934.

Robert Langham

21-Nov-2012, 07:49

Vietnam. Phantom driver with a sense of humor. What's the point of burning jet fuel in a war zone if you can't buzz some elephants on the Plain of Jars? I'll drive. You run the camera.

84062

Robert Langham

21-Nov-2012, 07:50

If you don't want your face beat in by the police, stay out of Chicago. Manual photoshop, painted collar. Just terrific.

84063

Robert Langham

21-Nov-2012, 07:59

The cheapest collection ever. I never go above 9.00 on ebay.....delivered. Here's three Zero-killing Chicago boys from Guadalcanal or some Pacific WWII hellhole leaning on a F4U Corsair. Official USMC photo. Full caption, with names, addresses and zero count on the back. They were in the Black Sheep Squadron before it was famous. Can you beat this? For nine bucks? It's 60 years old. Original print. Probably a speed grafic.

84064

Robert Langham

21-Nov-2012, 08:04

84069 Guy arrested for gambling. Is this a cool photo or what?

Robert Langham

21-Nov-2012, 08:06

Cute kid from the suburbs in a Chicago park. Stringer photo. Printed on really thick paper. Speed graphic and a flash bulb. Nine bucks. I drive my classes crazy telling them that photographers must know and LOVE photographs and visual images of all kinds. Poor kids!

84070

Robert Langham

21-Nov-2012, 08:12

Jerry Colonna in the South Pacific, 1943. Plane is a big PBY.

84067

Robert Langham

21-Nov-2012, 08:14

I keep telling myself I can quit whenever I want. Fashion photo for hair care products mailed out by the hundreds in the 60s to newspapers all over the country with an accompanying story. What a photo shoot this must have been!

84068

Robert Langham

21-Nov-2012, 08:24

This image from a Chicago paper sunday news magazine story on Beatnicks in about 1964. Lotta concern about younger generation hanging out in coffee shops, slurping cheap sweet drinks all day, taking to girls, playing bongos and writing poetry.
Sound familiar? This kid looked just like one of my students, only without tatts.

84071

Robert Langham

21-Nov-2012, 08:26

Wire scan from some guy named D. Kennerly. Nine bucks. I bet they made ONE real print, then this went, by wire transmission, into every big newspaper newsroom in the country.

84072

Scott Davis

21-Nov-2012, 13:14

sly

21-Nov-2012, 13:45

Interesting selection Robert. Glad you've joined the site and are sharing your enthusiasm.

Randy

21-Nov-2012, 14:38

Years ago my aunt and uncle bought a stack (15-20) of tin types. I am guessing from the late 1800's. They gave them to me knowing I love to collect.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/52893762/021.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/52893762/026.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/52893762/032.jpg

Jim Galli

27-Nov-2012, 20:45

ImSoNegative

27-Nov-2012, 20:49

mdm

27-Nov-2012, 21:31

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pcT-cSlgoVE/ULWSNeHSk8I/AAAAAAAABoc/1aUFrb3V5FA/s1600/queenstown.jpg
Queenstown, New Zealand. I am probably breaking the rules with this one because it is a half tone, from Whites Aviation Pictorial Reference of New Zealand published in 1953. 300 or so plates of everywhere of any importance, made from the air with an aerial camera. Its a fabulous find. I would like to believe they were made on 5 inch plus x rolls or something similar. Anyone who has ever been to Queenstown will laugh at the comparison. This is one probably was not taken from the air.

Scott Davis

28-Nov-2012, 07:51

Scott, it looks like an early '20's Hudson Super Six.

Jim- did they still have the spark advance/retard gear on the steering wheel in the 1920s? That's the one thing making think it is before 1920, as I thought those were largely gone by then.

Jim Galli

28-Nov-2012, 09:13

Jim- did they still have the spark advance/retard gear on the steering wheel in the 1920s? That's the one thing making think it is before 1920, as I thought those were largely gone by then.

Can't speak for Hudson's if that's what it is, but Ford had manual spark and throttle control at the steering wheel until 1931.

Scott Davis

28-Nov-2012, 10:23

Can't speak for Hudson's if that's what it is, but Ford had manual spark and throttle control at the steering wheel until 1931.

Good to know. I don't recall if I posted this earlier, but in doing a bit more image research, I think I identified it as a Studebaker Light Six. Here's a photo of a 1921 Stude for comparison:

84458

Peter Mounier

28-Nov-2012, 10:51

Here's a shot someone gave to me ...
Motorcylces in Pismo Beach Ca.

It is such a long panorama that I thought it best be viewed with (Flash) Zoomify.

http://morrobaygiclee.com/PismoCycles.html

84466

Peter

Jim Galli

28-Nov-2012, 11:10

Good to know. I don't recall if I posted this earlier, but in doing a bit more image research, I think I identified it as a Studebaker Light Six. Here's a photo of a 1921 Stude for comparison:

84458

That looks right. Door handles etc. look the same. For those scratching their heads, the orig photo on pg. 16 in my browser.

Scott Davis

28-Nov-2012, 14:07

http://dcphotoartist.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/lmblackfootricecdv.jpg

This was a cheap acquisition - just a couple of bucks. The thing that caught my attention was the ornate blind stamp on the verso. I've been collecting images with Washington DC blind stamps on them as part of my Photographers Maps project -
victorian photo parlor maps (http://dcphotoartist.wordpress.com/victorian-photo-parlor-maps/)

mdm

30-Nov-2012, 00:20

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UpZUmF7ZJM8/ULhde2ooHTI/AAAAAAAABpc/8MY2fMkrA4s/s1600/boysfront.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VinytCuBois/ULhdfqy4eNI/AAAAAAAABpo/L6vDdtI_xXs/s1600/boysback.jpg

From a batch of 6x9 contacts that came from Auckland but are supposed to be from Queensland. By the look of it this is a camera that did some travelling. I think this could be New Guinea, there were a lot of Australians there once including my grandmothers precious brother who never made it home.

mdm

30-Nov-2012, 00:27

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PnA0xwhABZY/ULhfnLhq1QI/AAAAAAAABp0/A3gLPsf9Nac/s1600/boat.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hGSPDJ4xu3Y/ULhfoDd6yWI/AAAAAAAABqA/U3hDqFuzV6Y/s1600/ships.jpg

From the same batch of prints. The small one, 6x6, of ships at the bottom is just fabulous. Small contacts on glossy paper are amazing as objects, i dont know why we dont do them anymore.

Robert Langham

30-Nov-2012, 07:50

84595 Jets over a gunnery range firing 2.5 inch rockets, 1952. Ebay.

Scott Davis

1-Dec-2012, 05:46

http://dcphotoartist.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/shopkeeperoccupationaltin.jpg
Occupational tintype in brass mat and frame.

Vincent Pidone

2-Dec-2012, 14:38

84682

Vincent Pidone

2-Dec-2012, 14:41

84685

"RealPhoto" post card.

Note the copyright on an early image.

Vincent Pidone

2-Dec-2012, 14:45

84686

Civil War?

He appears to be guarding a fire hydrant. There are hoses on the ground.

Note the burned out buildings in the background. There also appears to be some kind of poster behind him on the left.

This is a albumin print with some bronzing. That's not the best scan, but there's not much more detail in the print.

And if it's not clear, he's leaning on a rifle with a bayonet attached. The original print has no detail of the rifle other than outline.

Scott Davis

3-Dec-2012, 19:35

The uniform looks later than the Civil War. There were quite a large number of big urban fires throughout the 19th century, and the print and matting have a later feel to them than the Civil War period. I'm no expert on Victorian period uniforms though, so he could be regular army or he could be a state militia. Are you sure it's an albumen print?

84686

Civil War?

He appears to be guarding a fire hydrant. There are hoses on the ground.

Note the burned out buildings in the background. There also appears to be some kind of poster behind him on the left.

This is a albumin print with some bronzing. That's not the best scan, but there's not much more detail in the print.

And if it's not clear, he's leaning on a rifle with a bayonet attached. The original print has no detail of the rifle other than outline.