Pop back for posts of research and imagery from my personal archive!
I love this beautiful album. I know very little about its origins and subjects.
Description:
Subject(s): Unknown
Size: 4” x 5” x 0.5”
Photographers Font: -
Photographers full name: -
Photographer Info: -
Photograph No.: -
Corners: Rounded
Condition: Corners are intact but very worn, slight discolouration from handling/storage and some mottling to the inner card
Date: Early 1900’s
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A lovely lady got in touch via Elephantstones Gallery to see if we were interested in some old photos she had of the Hayfield area in the 1900s. I was so thrilled when the images arrived. Thank you Helen.
Description:
Subject(s): Unknown group but possibly two members of the Slaks family on the back row to the right
Backdrop: Oaklands House off Bank Vale Road, Hayfield
Mount: Simple neutral card
Frame: Rectangular image with embossed single line boarder
Size: 10” x 8”
Photographers Font: -
Photographers full name: -
Photographer Info: -
Photograph No.: -
Corners: Rounded
Condition: Corners of the card are intact, slight discolouration from handling/storage and some mottling to the card
Date: Early 1900’s
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Group portraits are a lovely thing to behold. I hope everyones doing ok at the moment! We will be back together soon :)
Description:
Subject(s): Unknown
Subject Description: Woman and three children in formal attire
Backdrop: Looks as though it is taken outside, with potted plants and a paved floor
Mount: Neutral card with printed decorative back
Frame: Rectangular image with no decorative border
Size: 4.5” x 6.5”
Photographers Font: -
Photographers full name: -
Photographer Info: -
Photograph No.: -
Corners: Rounded
Condition: Corners of the card are slightly damaged, discolouration from handling around the bottom and some marks to the image
Date: All these details suggest the image is circa 1880s
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I have a small collection of photographs by A.Jonason of Sweden. I particularly like when CDV’s are signed!
Description:
Subject(s): W.D.Elder
Subject Description: Man in smart day suit with thistle brooch.
Backdrop: Simple
Mount: Neutral pink card
Frame: Rectangular image with no decorative border
Size: 2.5” x 4.2”
Photographers Font: A.Jonason, Kgl Hoffotograf, Göteborg
Photographers full name: Aron Jonason
Photographer Info: Possibly the well known photographer Aron Jonason of 55 Kungsgatan, Stockholm, Sweden. The writing below the photographers address ‘Filial I Marstrand’ translates to ‘Branch in Marstrand’. Marstrand is a costal town situated in Kungälv Municipality, Västra Götaland County, Sweden.
REF: Wikipedia (2020) ’Aron Jonason’ [Online] https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aron_Jonason (Validated by Google Map Search)
Photograph No.: -
Corners: Rounded - mostly intact
Condition: Good condition but does have slight mottling to the image
Date: All these details suggest the image is circa 1870-1880
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Alongside Victorian and Edwardian carte de visite and cabinet cards, I also like to collect journals. This journal tells the story of a couple on their honeymoon in the Dartmouth area in 1947. My family and I have many fond memories of Dartmouth and the surrounding area and still holiday there together most summers. So, I was very excited to collect this album!
Description:
No. of pages: 32
No. of images: 16
Subject(s): Unknown
Locations referenced: Dartmouth, Totnes, Dawlish, Torquay, Paignton and Plymouth
Condition: Fair, the binding is fragile in places but the cover of the book is in good condition
Date: 1947
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The world is a crazy place at the moment! It’s a time of great uncertainty. Stay safe! I love images that just hint at their past. Like this image with the cropped signature at the bottom.
Description:
Subject(s): Unknown
Subject Description: Woman in corseted mourning outfit with ballooned selves and frilled white collar
Backdrop: Simple but contains some furniture and furs
Mount: Neutral card
Frame: Rectangular image with no decorative border, card looks as though a signature has been cut off the bottom
Size: 4.7” x 6.5”
Photographers Font: -
Photographers full name: -
Photographer Info: -
Photograph No.: -
Corners: Rounded
Condition: Corners of the card are slightly damaged, image in good overall condition apart from top centre where there is some damage
Date: All these details suggest the image is circa 1880s
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To me, images with no information are all the more special. It’s like they are keeping a secret.
Description:
Subject(s): Unknown
Subject Description: Gentleman in mourning suit with button up waistcoat
Backdrop: Simple
Mount: Deep blue card
Frame: Rectangular hand cut image with no decorative border, card also looks hand cut
Size: 2.5” x 4” (early CDV were cut by hand, so may be innacurate)
Photographers Font: -
Photographers full name: -
Photographer Info: -
Photograph No.: -
Corners: Rounded
Condition: Edges of the print damaged and some mottling and marks on the image itself
Date: All these details suggest the image is circa 1870s - 1880s
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Happy International Women’s Day! Today is a very important day for women around the world. Although we have taken great steps towards equality, there is still a long way to go.
Description:
Subject(s): Unknown
Subject Description: Woman in glasses and decorative gown wearing an array of jewellery
Backdrop: Simple
Mount: Neutral card
Frame: Rectangular image with no decorative border, card looks hand cut
Size: 4.7” x 6.5”
Photographers Font: -
Photographers full name: -
Photographer Info: -
Photograph No.: -
Corners: Rounded
Condition: Edges of the print damaged and mottling to the image
Date: All these details suggest the image is circa 1880s
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I’m back in the studio! I have a small collection of photographs by A.Jonason of Sweden. The collection is covered in delicate mottling, but I don’t mind!
Description:
Subject(s): Unknown
Subject Description: Woman in a high necked dark dress with a small frill to the top of the collar.
Backdrop: Simple
Mount: Neutral pink card
Frame: Rectangular image with no decorative border
Size: 2.5” x 4.2”
Photographers Font: A.Jonason, Kgl Hoffotograf, Göteborg
Photographers full name: Aron Jonason
Photographer Info: Possibly the well known photographer Aron Jonason of 55 Kungsgatan, Stockholm, Sweden. The writing below the photographers address ‘Filial I Marstrand’ translates to ‘Branch in Marstrand’. Marstrand is a costal town situated in Kungälv Municipality, Västra Götaland County, Sweden.
REF: Wikipedia (2020) ’Aron Jonason’ [Online] https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aron_Jonason (Validated by Google Map Search)
Photograph No.: -
Corners: Rounded - mostly intact
Condition: Good condition but does have slight mottling to the image
Date: All these details suggest the image is circa 1870-1880
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In the spirit of Valentines day, here’s a pair of images. Found together in the back of an album. Happy Valentines day!
Description:
Subject(s): Unknown
Subject Description: Woman in a high necked striped dress with black ruffled collar adorned with a small brooch & a man in a suit with a spotted tie
Backdrop: Simple
Mount: Neutral brown card
Frame: Rectangular image with simple double boarder and with an embossed dappled pattern around the edge
Size: 2.6” x 4.2”
Photographers Font: (Embossed) E.P. Short, 35 Derby Road, Nottingham
Photographers full name: Ephraim Pope Short
Photographer Info: Short was at 35 Derby Road in the 1901 census. He sometimes signed his photographs ‘E.P. Short 35 Derby Road (Above the Cathedral) Nottingham’. No. 35 Derby Road almost back’s onto the Cathedral Church of St Barnabas.
REF: Roots Chat (2020) ’Photographers Address (Nottinghamshire)’ [Online] http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=521181.0 (Validated by Google Map Search)
Photograph No.: -
Corners: Rounded - mostly intact but one badly damaged
Condition: Some damage to one of the prints and evidence of wear to the mounts edges/corners
Date: All these details suggest the images are circa 1900-1905
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Acquired only recently, this CDV is very unusual. I’ve never seen one like it before!
Description:
Subject: Unknown
Subject Description: Two women, dressed in coats and hats, with a dog
Backdrop: The doorstep of a house
Mount: Neutral card
Size: 2.5” x 4”, mounted image measures 1.5” x 1.8”
Frame: No border, small rectangular image
Photographers Font: -
Corners: Rounded, all intact
Condition: Minor imperfections to the edges of the print and some evidence of wear to the mount
Date: All these details suggest the image is circa 1860-64
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All of these images depict forgotten souls. I hope by archiving, researching and sharing these images, it will keep the memory of those photographed alive.
Description:
Subject: Unknown
Subject Description: Woman in an all black with white frilled collar/cuffs and ruched sleeves
Backdrop: Simple but does contain furniture
Mount: Neutral card
Frame: Rectangular image with no decorative frame
Size: 2.5” x 4” (early CDV were cut by hand, so may be innacurate)
Photographers Font: (Printed verso) Bullock & Sons Photographers, Macclesfield
Photographer Info: Based at Buckley Terrace, Macclesfield
REF: The National Archive (2019) ’Reverse of 2458/5a. Printed on reverse: Established 1849. Bullock & Sons, Photographers, Buckley Terrace, Macclesfield. No.18074’ [Online] https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/9a6b9bbb-736e-4ed1-9d7c-482d7fc244b2
Photograph No.: 14274
Corners: Square - all but one intact
Condition: Minor imperfection on the print itself and some evidence of wear to the mounts edges
Date: All these details suggest the image is circa 1849-1852
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Vi and King, to whom this album belonged, feel like long lost relatives. During my MA, I completed an in-depth research project into this particular album and it’s contents. The album depicts Vi and King’s honeymoon followed by the birth of their first child. It’s a beautiful collection on the edge of disintegration.
Description:
No. of pages: 28
No. of images: 47
Subject(s): Vi and King
Locations referenced: Badgeworthy Waters, Watersmeet, Countisbury Foreland, Doone Valley, Fellingscott Farm, Oare Church, Brendon Moors, Tatsfield, Harpenden and Dunstable Downs
Condition: Poor, the binding is very fragile and some images are missing
Date: 1919-1920
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The ‘unknown’ is often stumbled upon when considering old photography and will no doubt feature heavily throughout these posts. But, that’s why images of this nature are so interesting! Embracing a lack of knowledge is key.
Description:
Subject: Unknown
Subject Description: Woman in all black with white frilled collar
Backdrop: Simple
Mount: Neutral pink card
Frame: Oval image with detailed frame
Photographers Font: -
Corners: Square and intact
Condition: Minor imperfection on the print itself and some evidence of wear to the mount
Date: All these details suggest the image is circa 1870s
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My work as an illustrator is heavily focused around the exploration of found collections of forgotten imagery. The aim of my work has always been to make sure these images and the people they depict don’t stay forgotten. So! I’ve decided to share my collection and research here!
I hope to post a new image weekly with as little or as much research as I can find.
Launching January 2020.
For regular updates, follow the new Photographic Contemplations instagram here!
