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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: dillonking on Saturday 15 September 12 11:18 BST (UK)

Title: Any motorbike maniacs out there to help date a photo?
Post by: dillonking on Saturday 15 September 12 11:18 BST (UK)
Hello,

The relation is sitting on a Coventry Eagle motorbike. These bikes were made from the end of the nineteenth century to about 1930s or 40s.
I looked at models on Internet and this model looked like a 20s model to me but I don't have the eyes of the real motorbike fan so if you are into motorbikes do you think you could identify the year of the model?
Thank you :)
Title: Re: Any motorbike maniacs out there to help date a photo?
Post by: old rowley on Saturday 15 September 12 11:45 BST (UK)
I do not really know enough about m/b's but although tthe company was founded in the late 1880's and were producing motor bikes between 1901 to 1939.  I am wondering if this is a straight eight as these were produced in the late 1920's. The photograph would appear to be from the late 20's early 30's going by the sitters clothing so maybe the number plate may be the year that it was taken (if it is one that the photographer has had made up) or failing that it is just a coincedence.

OR
Title: Re: Any motorbike maniacs out there to help date a photo?
Post by: barryd on Saturday 15 September 12 12:50 BST (UK)
A Coventry Eagle. Obviously a studio prop. For images of Coventry Eagles (and at least one Brough Superior) see:


https://www.google.com/search?q=coventry+eagle+motorcycle&hl=en&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=x2lUUOjML8i6iwLb9YCQDA&ved=0CB0QsAQ&biw=1067&bih=492
Title: Re: Any motorbike maniacs out there to help date a photo?
Post by: dillonking on Saturday 15 September 12 12:58 BST (UK)
Thanks for your thoughts on that. I had already looked at images I googled but my problem is to see the details well and work out the year the motorbike might date from.
I know it is a studio prop so I would have added on a couple of years to the year of production to try and work out the year of the photo.
I think late twenties, early thirties too. :)
Title: Re: Any motorbike maniacs out there to help date a photo?
Post by: jim1 on Saturday 15 September 12 15:21 BST (UK)
The CH reg. = Derby 1903-31.

jim
Title: Re: Any motorbike maniacs out there to help date a photo?
Post by: dillonking on Saturday 15 September 12 15:28 BST (UK)
Thanks Jim that helps to narrow it down.
Title: Re: Any motorbike maniacs out there to help date a photo?
Post by: DORAN54 on Saturday 15 September 12 15:32 BST (UK)
could it be 1929 as on the number plate?
Title: Re: Any motorbike maniacs out there to help date a photo?
Post by: Geoff-E on Saturday 15 September 12 15:45 BST (UK)
could it be 1929 as on the number plate?

You could be right there :)  different bike though.
Title: Re: Any motorbike maniacs out there to help date a photo?
Post by: J.R.Ellam on Saturday 15 September 12 16:22 BST (UK)
Is the number plate telling you the year.
Title: Re: Any motorbike maniacs out there to help date a photo?
Post by: Geoff-E on Saturday 15 September 12 16:42 BST (UK)
Charles Howell was the official photographer at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. :)
Title: Re: Any motorbike maniacs out there to help date a photo?
Post by: PaulStaffs on Saturday 15 September 12 20:26 BST (UK)
Google images will show you a few of his photos featuring bikes with various 'year' numberplates (and those massive beer bottles!) so 1928 Blackpool must be the time and place.
Title: Re: Any motorbike maniacs out there to help date a photo?
Post by: Geoff-E on Saturday 15 September 12 20:35 BST (UK)
Google images will show you a few of his photos featuring bikes with various 'year' numberplates (and those massive beer bottles!) so 1928 Blackpool must be the time and place.

Perhaps time to clean your glasses. ;)
Title: Re: Any motorbike maniacs out there to help date a photo?
Post by: [Ray] on Saturday 15 September 12 20:38 BST (UK)
Hi

However . . . . .

The photo mentions Sarah Corkish and the only one I see at the moment is :-

Death Dec 1908 Toxteth Park 8b 110
Sarah CORKISH 53years


Ray
Title: Re: Any motorbike maniacs out there to help date a photo?
Post by: PaulStaffs on Saturday 15 September 12 20:54 BST (UK)
Google images will show you a few of his photos featuring bikes with various 'year' numberplates (and those massive beer bottles!) so 1928 Blackpool must be the time and place.

Perhaps time to clean your glasses. ;)

Well spotted :P I was looking at a 1938 photo while posting ;)
Title: Re: Any motorbike maniacs out there to help date a photo?
Post by: Geoff-E on Saturday 15 September 12 21:11 BST (UK)
The photo mentions Sarah Corkish and the only one I see at the moment is :-

Death Dec 1908 Toxteth Park 8b 110
Sarah CORKISH 53years

A different one - mine died 1974 aged 83.  Her husband died down pit a few months before their only child was born. :(
Title: Re: Any motorbike maniacs out there to help date a photo?
Post by: [Ray] on Saturday 15 September 12 21:35 BST (UK)

So, how old does Sarah look? Early-mid 40's?

CH 1939

Job done?

 ;D



Title: Re: Any motorbike maniacs out there to help date a photo?
Post by: japeflakes on Saturday 15 September 12 22:11 BST (UK)
Another CH photo:
Title: Re: Any motorbike maniacs out there to help date a photo?
Post by: barryd on Sunday 16 September 12 03:47 BST (UK)
It is Charles Howell in Blackpool. Just Google
"Charles Howell" Motorcycle Photography
and his many motorcycle props appear.
Title: Re: Any motorbike maniacs out there to help date a photo?
Post by: dillonking on Sunday 16 September 12 10:09 BST (UK)
Wow I love the photos you have posted! So is it the general consensus that the number plate is indicating the year? Would these have been artificial number plates as the cycles are being used as photographic studio props? Had they been on the road they would have had to have different number plates surely? Oops just seen Paul's post again about the photographic studios so thanks for that.

I would love to have the gigantic beer bottle in my dressing up box hahahaha!

Title: Re: Any motorbike maniacs out there to help date a photo?
Post by: dave-the-rave on Sunday 16 September 12 10:46 BST (UK)
its a coventry eagle bike 1930 http://cybermotorcycle.com/gallery/coventry-eagle/Coventry-Eagle_1930.htm if this helps dave
Title: Re: Any motorbike maniacs out there to help date a photo?
Post by: Geoff-E on Sunday 16 September 12 11:01 BST (UK)
Would these have been artificial number plates as the cycles are being used as photographic studio props?

Yes, you can see on the 1939 pic I posted that the plate is twisted round to face the camera, not in the normal position. :)

I suspect the only connection with Derby these bikes ever had was their proximity to the Derby Baths http://www.soyouwantto.co.uk/blackpool.html