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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: stoney on Friday 17 February 17 19:19 GMT (UK)

Title: (Beattie & Co.) Help with inscription, please?
Post by: stoney on Friday 17 February 17 19:19 GMT (UK)
I came across an old photograph of my Grandfather (extreme right, in the picture) at his stonemason's yard in Carlisle. This was one of a number of War memorial statues his company (Beattie & Co.) produced.

The picture has some writing on the reverse but I can't make it out - it may just be a note scrawled on the back that has nothing to do with the picture. It looks like my Grandmother's handwriting, she would often just reach for the nearest thing to scribble on - we've found shopping lists scribbled on the back of some of our old photos!

Can anyone decipher or enhance the image? I'm posting both the photo and it's reverse in case it offers any clues.

Many thanks for taking the time to look, anyway!


Stoney
Title: Re: (Beattie & Co.) Help with inscription, please?
Post by: Handypandy on Sunday 19 February 17 21:02 GMT (UK)
I've had a go at improving both images, the writing is still not legible though.
Title: Re: (Beattie & Co.) Help with inscription, please?
Post by: jennifer c on Sunday 19 February 17 21:08 GMT (UK)
Top line far right might say Enfield?

Jennifer
Title: Re: (Beattie & Co.) Help with inscription, please?
Post by: japeflakes on Sunday 19 February 17 21:24 GMT (UK)
Still cannot read message!
Title: Re: (Beattie & Co.) Help with inscription, please?
Post by: japeflakes on Sunday 19 February 17 21:35 GMT (UK)
..
Title: Re: (Beattie & Co.) Help with inscription, please?
Post by: Trishanne on Monday 20 February 17 00:31 GMT (UK)
I have lightened it a little, but still can't read it. Sorry.
Title: Re: (Beattie & Co.) Help with inscription, please?
Post by: stoney on Monday 20 February 17 16:18 GMT (UK)
 :-\  Thank you all for trying, anyway - I guess it will just remain a mystery.  ???



...and thank you for the enhanced pictures, too! What a smashing bunch you Rootschat-ers are!

:-* :-*


Stoney


Title: Re: (Beattie & Co.) Help with inscription, please?
Post by: e_m on Monday 20 February 17 16:29 GMT (UK)
Can you re-scan the back at a much higher resolution?
Title: Re: (Beattie & Co.) Help with inscription, please?
Post by: am101 on Saturday 03 June 17 11:58 BST (UK)
Hello Stoney,
Absolutely intrigued to see your picture of Beattie & Co!   Sorry, can't read that writing on the reverse but seems as if there are some very capable RootsChatters on to that!
I am very new to Roots Chat and my initial purpose was to try and find out more about my Beattie forbears.
My Grandmother was Janet Hounam Beattie, born 1899 and I have been very interested in Beattie & Co in particular as my Dad always has a story that my uncle, Elliott Barrie, who was apparently very artistic, went to work for his uncle who owned a sculptor business in Carlisle!
Being the first one of our family line that appears to have done any in-depth research, it has been so interesting as the history has unfolded, particularly as I trained as a bricklayer on leaving school and have been very interested to see the connection with John Laing Construction too.
Just wondering how you would recommend I could get more information, initially relating to Beattie & Co? I would really appreciate your advice.
Regards,   Andy
Title: Re: (Beattie & Co.) Help with inscription, please?
Post by: Mike Morrell (NL) on Saturday 03 June 17 19:03 BST (UK)
I've tried all sorts of 'enhancement' filters in this photo but even isolating the handwriting, it's still illegible. A scan with higher resolution might help.

Mike
Title: Re: (Beattie & Co.) Help with inscription, please?
Post by: Treetotal on Saturday 03 June 17 19:07 BST (UK)
You are not alone Mike  ;D ;D
Carol
Title: Re: (Beattie & Co.) Help with inscription, please?
Post by: dafydd46 on Saturday 03 June 17 20:29 BST (UK)
I also have tried the impossible - twice!
dafydd46.
Title: Re: (Beattie & Co.) Help with inscription, please?
Post by: stoney on Wednesday 05 July 17 15:04 BST (UK)
Sorry to be so late in responding (have been out of the country and dealing with family issues!)

The picture is no longer in my possession so I can't re-scan it on a higher resolution  :(

Thank you all for trying, it is much appreciated!  Knowing my Grandmother, it's probably nothing to do with the picture at all!  ;D

Thanks, all, anyway.

Stoney
Title: Re: (Beattie & Co.) Help with inscription, please?
Post by: PeteRae on Thursday 15 February 18 15:27 GMT (UK)
Just a general interest post Stoney....I assume you are related to the late Kenneth Beattie?
We have a sculptors yard in Annan and I think the young chap standing next to your grandfather could be George Baxter. George worked with us from the 70's when Beatties were on short time. He started with "old man Beattie"  around 1924. He held your Grandfather in high regard. Pete Rae.