After lunch I retouched two more of the scans of https://derrickjknight.com/2019/07/20/a-free-afternoon/prints from 1926.
Here we have Mum and Uncles Ben and Roy on the beach at Conwy. It seems to have been essential to wear one’s best clothes, which, in some instances meant school uniform complete with cap.
Considering that this comes from a 5 x 10cm print the best part of 100 years old, I found the clarity of the water and the pebbles beneath it in this image of Mum and Grandma Hunter a tribute to my grandfather’s skill.
Becky has done more research on this portrait of her great grandfather from about 1919, which I also retouched today. Marcus Guttenberg came to the UK in 1851 from Poland via Russia and Germany. He moved to Manchester in 1878. Already a photographer he set up 24 different studios throughout the north of England including Whitby, Harrogate and Bridlington, eventually moving to Bristol where he died in 1891. This postcard portrait bearing the name Guttenberg would not be his work, although it is an example of such.
It may, however, be the work of his son, Percy, who took over the business and became a renowned photographer of theatrical personalities, having fourteen of his portraits in the National Portrait Gallery. On 20th October 1938 he changed his name to Percy Alexander.
My grandfather’s portrait above is certainly of an excellent professional quality.
Elizabeth Hunter, née Franks, his grandmother, could, however have been photographed at one of Marcus’s studios, aged about18 in 1885. Her parents ran a trawler fleet in Grimsby at the time, so the location could be right. She married Benjamin Hunter when she was 23.
Becky and I removed the back of the portrait featured in https://derrickjknight.com/2015/01/12/pictorial-female-lines, seeking confirmation of what Mum had told me. There wasn’t much to contradict her information.
This morning Jackie began planting up her new stumpery, The white powder evident on the stumps is an ant killer. When the Head Gardener exposed the nest she was ordered to stand back by her robin, Nugget, while he had his fill before she could apply the insecticide.
While making these photographs I was led to this blue eryngium setting well against the
white everlasting sweet peas.
This afternoon Jackie and I drove to Barton on Sea to catch up with Becky and Ian. Because we had missed them we drove to Old Milton and bought a new landline telephone. When we returned home an apparently displeased Becky rasped: “Where did you get that?” She then produced the one that she and Ian had bought us.
Back we went to the electrical store, obtained a refund, and, following Becky’s advice, bought a Dyson vacuum cleaner.
This evening the four of us dined on second helpings of yesterday’s Indian Takeaway with which Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I finished the Malbec.
The black and white photos look wonderfully crisp.
Thanks very much, Libre
You seem to get your photography talent from your ancestors. I like that photo of the children, and you are right about the clarity of the water and stones.
I’m pleased to know that Nugget is still around, and that Jackie listens to him. 😉
Thanks very much, Merril
Aha! So the photographic genius is genetic.
So it would seem, Oglach 🙂 Many thanks
Such clear photographs Derrick, you just would not know that were taken so long ago.
Especially the one in the water, Sue. Thank you very much
Old photos had atmosphere that we can not reproduce with our great cameras!
Yes, Indeed, Sylvie. Many thanks
Beautiful old photographs. A little haunting to think of their lives 100 years ago.
Especially as two of them (Mum and Roy) are still alive, and others are in my memory. Thanks very much, Laurie
The twitterings that went on around ant nests and telephones amused me highly today 🙂 I’m going to enjoy watching the progress of the stumpery.
Many thanks, Pauline 🙂
Good photo retouching.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal. I can only manage one at a time 🙂
Ah ha, the ability to take great photos is in your genes. Those photos really are fabulous and it’s lovely that you also know their provenance.
Thank you very much, Sheree
The quality of those old photos is pretty fantastic! 🙂 100 years – that’s crazy!
Many thanks, M.B. Isn’t it?
Wow terrific photos and
100 years wow amazing
Thank you very much, Cinnamon
You’re welcome Derrick.
These images are priceless Derrick. Take god care of these cherished mementos.
Many thanks, Drew
These are wonderful photographs, Derrick. Thank you so much for sharing pieces of your family history with us.
I’m pleased, Jill. Thanks very much
The photo in which your Mum is posing alongside Grandma Hunter in ankle deep water is certainly a gem that speaks volumes of your grandfather’s skills. I wonder what equipment did he have? The goof up about two landline phones was amusing!
Thanks very much, Uma. I guess I’ll never know what he was using then, but Grandpa gave me his old box brownie when I was about 14
And, Derrick, that is top-notch restoration of the photographs!
Thanks again, Uma
Wonderful old portraits! Fascinating family history. Artistic genes in your lineage. (Like my family’s musical heritage, one cannot get away from genes- and upbringing- it seems.) And families/their stories are interesting to to study.
I also liked that you bought a Dyson with the refund…always wondered if they are that topnotch!
Thanks very much, Cynthia. Dysons, like most technological innovations, were dodgy at first, but have now greatly improved.
Good to know–since it is a bit spendy!
Yes, indeed
You did a great job of retouching, a professional job. Congratulations, D
Very many thanks, Yoshimi
I am again thoroughly impressed by the great job you are doing on those old photos, Derrick.
Very many thanks, Dolly
My pleasure, Derrick
I love the visual imagery of ‘Jackie’s’ robin ordering her to stand back, ” I’ll take care of this!” before taking his fill of ant snacks. 😉
Excellent work on the B/W images.
Thanks very much, Bob
You certainly have the photographic touch of reinvigorating old memories mate.
Excellent work and commendable.
Cheers, Ian
Beautiful photos and you are certainly giving them new life, Derrick! 🙂
OH! I love your Mum’s smile as a little girl! And she still has that sweet smile today! 🙂
Ha! Little Nugget snacking on the ants! 😀 That made me laugh! So glad Nugget is being a helper! I love seeing Jackie’s progress with this project! 🙂
New phone and a new vacuum! Life is good! 😉
HUGS!!! 🙂 and ants…. 🐜 🐜 🐜 🐜 HA! 😛
Many thanks, Carolyn, for your usual close reading and detailed comments X
What a wonderful find, and how talented the restorer. Doing you have a special place to display these treasures?
We will produce an album for Mum. Thanks very much, Ronnie
What a treasure! She will 🥰 love it.
Lovely photo’s. There is something about an English garden that is difficult to do over here.
Dont you love refund policies, so much better now
Thanks very much, Colliss
Amazing quality of photographs, Derrick!
Many thanks, Inese
The portrait of your grandfather is just wow! Actually, the film photo is more artistic for me than digital. I am surprised this old photo is in so good quality and condition.
Thanks very much, Alexander. I only turned to digital when I began the blog in 2009 – for the speed in what is a daily diary.
Definitely, the digital is more convenient for the social media to save the time.
I had my first glimpses of these pictures on my phone earlier this week and they are even lovelier seen on my (misbehaving) laptop. As others have said, you’ve done a wonderful job of selecting and restoring them. Clearly the fascination with photography is in your genes.
Very many thanks, Susan
Those darn ants! I battle them in my garden too, I think they may be winning, ha! I popped out to Google Conwy. How amazing that the castle was built in the 13th century and you can still tour there. Have you and Jackie visited too? It sounds beautiful and FYI, the smallest house in all of Great Britain is also there. Now if that isn’t worth seeing, what is? ;D
Pretty grande to see your relative’s work at the National Portrait Gallery ! Percy’s legacy sounds impressive. Enjoyed my visit tonight Derrick. Hope you and Jackie are keeping cool in the terrible heat there we’ve heard of. Cheers dears xK
Many thanks, Kelly. We have cooled down now 🙂 X
P.S. We haven’t been to Conwy, but Jackie has been to Carmarthen
The family photos are just wonderful, such clarity!
Thanks very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
What beautiful memories, and lovely garden as always.
Thank you very much, msw