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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: brianz on Tuesday 26 January 16 20:33 GMT (UK)
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The attached photo has recently come into my possession and I wondered if anyone could shed any light on who they are and what is happening. I know very little about the photo except,
The man on the left is Bernard Lee Collins who died aged 67 in Dec 1956 and worked at Samuel Osborn Steels in Sheffield as a Metallurgist.
I wondered if it could be some sort of retirement do in 1954, the clothes look about right other than that I am stuck.
Does anyone recognise any of the other two men or have any suggestions at all please
Thanks
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I would think that the chair has some significance, not really the sort of thing you would give someone as a retirement present though. I wonder of that plaque/ notice on the wall gives any clues as to where it was, can you scan that any clearer?
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Timing wise [age 65] it does seem like a retirement - perhaps Bernard was handing over whatever role used the chair to a younger man? Seems to be trying it for comfort & size ??? Or perhaps Bernard had been appointed to a particular role now that HE was retired? And was being shown the chair of office...
Yes, groom, the writing might help.
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Thanks for the suggestion. It is an old photo, I have scanned it in at 600dpi already, any more and it just goes blurred, sorry.
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Not sure if the man on the right is the '' younger man'' ??? I would suggest they are all in their 60s.
On the chair as a retirement gift.. I have seen it , but more the recliner type.
The National Archives has some info http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/rd/441f7cea-1503-4ad0-a7b3-dc70398a564f
Couple of old fellas you may want to chase up from this forum for more info
http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/archive/index.php/t-459517.html
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They held a centenary banquet in 1951, maybe rehearsing for the speeches.
Not suggesting the table behind was the entire banquet ;D ;D
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I think the chair is a retirement gift. It appears to be brand new and it looks to be a staged photo with great attention being paid to the chair.
BLC was a metallurgist in 1911, perhaps at the same works.
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I agree with Geoff.
Carol
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While I was trying to improve the sign behind BLC's right shoulder I found that the top rail carried the Corporate logo of Samuel Osborn Steels. It is looking more like a presentation of some sort.
Thanks for all the suggestions
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I think there might be something else being presented too, on the table behind one of the men but you would need to ask the guy on the right to move over ;D
Have you thought of looking at newspapers for the year 1854?
Carol
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The chair doesn't look made for comfort, but is clearly considered very important, given the body language.
I wonder if it's not so much "a chair", as "a seat" (as in "a seat on the board").
Has he been elected to some club, committee or board?
BugBear
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It could have been a seat on the board, but I have never heard it mentioned in the family, it is worth asking some of them though.
Thanks for the suggestion
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It looks to be a Dining Room chair.
My Grandmother had chairs similar to these in her dining room which were used once a week ( Sunday Dinners ) or for important days - Birthdays etc. They were uncomfortable but only just. I think they were made that way to impart formality. ( or maybe we have gotten too lazy and slouch too much)
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It looks to be a Dining Room chair.
My Grandmother had chairs similar to these in her dining room which were used once a week ( Sunday Dinners ) or for important days - Birthdays etc. They were uncomfortable but only just. I think they were made that way to impart formality. ( or maybe we have gotten too lazy and slouch too much)
I'm not sure it's a (single) dining room chair - surely they come in sets of at least four?
BugBar
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I'm not sure it's a (single) dining room chair - surely they come in sets of at least four?
BugBar
Agreed. But , and once again relying on memory. My grandfathers chair was similar and was bigger than the others . Though they were of a similar style , just smaller.
This is what I recall.. note the arms on the ''head '' chair.
(http://api.ning.com/files/6R82p*QE8nKY6Wd-hcLJ9G-5BWSpbTmJHeyrqEfKZdqoHXbjv0ilkJ-3FAyQ7sI-kNQEPfGmrCym8avCs0TuBdjAeHtqfNjJ/DiningSet028_small.jpg)
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Could it be the other way round - ie not Bernard Lee Collins receiving the chair, but him presenting it? Rather a strange thing to give someone on retirement, one large chair.
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It looks to be symbolizing the passing on of company chairmanship, ( I'd thought the fellow on the right to the one on the left. ) However I suppose it could also symbolize the passing of a job to another person...even though both are older men...The job likely one that not many may be qualified to simply jump into the role.
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Have you contacted the place that holds their archives?
Or is that where you obtained the photo?
Title: Records of Samuel Osborn and Company Ltd, Rutland Works, Holbrook Steel Works, Clyde Steel Works, Sheffield, files and steel manufacturer.
Reference: MNSO
Date: 1900-1960
Held by: Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust
Language: English
Extent: 131 items
Subjects: Metal industry
Creator Names: Samuel Osborn and Company Ltd of Sheffield
Venelow