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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: Rosinish on Saturday 02 January 21 03:56 GMT (UK)

Title: A J MacEach(e)/(a)n - Identify Dress/Uniform, Date, Age & Restore please?
Post by: Rosinish on Saturday 02 January 21 03:56 GMT (UK)
Happy New Year all!

I hope I'm not asking for too much  :P

I'm unsure if his dress is a uniform, what his age is in this photo or when it was likely taken so looking for thoughts?

I do have info. on A J MacE but would like opinions to help with the accuracy of the info. re the photo please?

Annie
Title: Re: A J MacEach(e)/(a)n - Identify Dress/Uniform, Date, Age & Restore please?
Post by: Treetotal on Saturday 02 January 21 12:50 GMT (UK)
Hi Annie, Happy New Year to you too, is there any chance that you could scan the photo at 300dpi please as this is a very low 96dpi and quite a small file at 42kbs, you can post up to 500kbs on here.
Also, it would help to date the photo if you could post a scan of the back including the corners.
His outfit doesn't look like a uniform just standard menswear.
Carol
Title: Re: A J MacEach(e)/(a)n - Identify Dress/Uniform, Date, Age & Restore please?
Post by: Rosinish on Saturday 02 January 21 13:20 GMT (UK)
Hi Carol,

Sorry I can't do any better with a scan as this is a copy & I have no access to the original.

Annie
Title: Re: A J MacEach(e)/(a)n - Identify Dress/Uniform, Date, Age & Restore please?
Post by: Ruskie on Saturday 02 January 21 13:31 GMT (UK)
I could be waaay off with this but here goes ...

I am getting a seafaring/coastal vibe from this photo.
1890s era?
Age about 30 but could be younger.

Difficult to make out, but is he wearing boots up to his knees?
Title: Re: A J MacEach(e)/(a)n - Identify Dress/Uniform, Date, Age & Restore please?
Post by: Gadget on Saturday 02 January 21 13:39 GMT (UK)
I've down loaded and enlarged to see what I could find around the head and neck.  It looks as if he's wearing a  tammie and also a tartan scarf* in this snip. The rustic setting and double breasted jacket suggests 1880s to me but not sure about the cap and scarf/shirt  :-\


I'll see if I can do some restoration to it later today.

* add - or shirt
Title: Re: A J MacEach(e)/(a)n - Identify Dress/Uniform, Date, Age & Restore please?
Post by: Treetotal on Saturday 02 January 21 13:43 GMT (UK)
The neck area isn't very clear is it Gadget, you can see it is a berry of sorts...I thought it was a necktie or scarf around his neck but that would be unusual with a double breasted coat, it could be damage. I would say he was in his late 20s early 30s.
Carol
Title: Re: A J MacEach(e)/(a)n - Identify Dress/Uniform, Date, Age & Restore please?
Post by: Ruskie on Saturday 02 January 21 13:48 GMT (UK)
I also thought he was wearing a scarf, but I think the part I saw as scarf is damage to the photo. Now I think I see a dark 'shirt' under the jacket.  :-\

Annie, is there any chance of you getting a clearer copy of the photo? I'm sure there is a lot of detail we are missing.  :)
Title: Re: A J MacEach(e)/(a)n - Identify Dress/Uniform, Date, Age & Restore please?
Post by: Ruskie on Saturday 02 January 21 13:52 GMT (UK)
He looks to have something in his jacket pocket - I wonder if this is something significant (intentionally staged by the photographer)? He looks very unhappy.  :(
Title: Re: A J MacEach(e)/(a)n - Identify Dress/Uniform, Date, Age & Restore please?
Post by: Gadget on Saturday 02 January 21 14:04 GMT (UK)
He looks to have something in his jacket pocket - I wonder if this is something significant (intentionally staged by the photographer)? He looks very unhappy.  :(

I think it's a hankie  ;D

Title: Re: A J MacEach(e)/(a)n - Identify Dress/Uniform, Date, Age & Restore please?
Post by: Rosinish on Saturday 02 January 21 14:05 GMT (UK)
Thanks all so far but please don't try anything to restore for now unless only to take out the obvious marks.

I will see if I can make contact with the owner somehow for a better scan?

What I know of who the pic should be is...

A J MacE (variants) b 1890 South Uist - d 1914 Buenos Aires, Argentina

Pic possibly taken c 1913/14 - Not sure the owner knows exactly hence hoping an age/date could help?

Well done Ruskie, he was indeed a Seaman & sadly fell to his death aged 23 yrs from a ship Hungarian Prince  :(

I too thought he was sad looking & the date/year would signify beginning of war?

Annie
Title: Re: A J MacEach(e)/(a)n - Identify Dress/Uniform, Date, Age & Restore please?
Post by: Treetotal on Saturday 02 January 21 14:06 GMT (UK)
Yes...hankies in the jacket pocket first became popular in 1880s...this man looks to be in workman's clothes.
Carol
Title: Re: A J MacEach(e)/(a)n - Identify Dress/Uniform, Date, Age & Restore please?
Post by: Ruskie on Saturday 02 January 21 14:07 GMT (UK)
I thought it was a piece of paper.  :)

It's a big hankie - (may have been essential on those cold Scottish days).
Title: Re: A J MacEach(e)/(a)n - Identify Dress/Uniform, Date, Age & Restore please?
Post by: Rosinish on Saturday 02 January 21 14:12 GMT (UK)
I'm not convinced it's a hankie in his pocket as it seems to cover the whole diameter?

Most hankies I've seen in jacket pockets are purposely shaped with a triangular peak especially for a posed pic?

I don't think it's a scarf, agree it's wear on the pic.

Annie
Title: Re: A J MacEach(e)/(a)n - Identify Dress/Uniform, Date, Age & Restore please?
Post by: Gadget on Saturday 02 January 21 14:15 GMT (UK)
I'm not convinced it's a hankie in his pocket as it seems to cover the whole diameter?

Most hankies I've seen in jacket pockets are purposely shaped with a triangular peak especially for a posed pic?

I don't think it's a scarf, agree it's wear on the pic.

Annie

It's a hankie
Title: Re: A J MacEach(e)/(a)n - Identify Dress/Uniform, Date, Age & Restore please?
Post by: Gadget on Saturday 02 January 21 14:18 GMT (UK)
Blow up
Title: Re: A J MacEach(e)/(a)n - Identify Dress/Uniform, Date, Age & Restore please?
Post by: Rosinish on Saturday 02 January 21 14:21 GMT (UK)
I had tried to figure out who/why the pic was taken as a camera for the era on South Uist would be rare but possibly the reason was prior to going off to war?

I also tried to work out where it was taken & the lovely home made chair may signify taken at home?

It's a beautiful pic just a shade too dark.

Annie
Title: Re: A J MacEach(e)/(a)n - Identify Dress/Uniform, Date, Age & Restore please?
Post by: Gadget on Saturday 02 January 21 14:23 GMT (UK)
The 'home made chair' is a rustic bench that most photographers of the period used as props. It was most likely taken in Glagow.
Title: Re: A J MacEach(e)/(a)n - Identify Dress/Uniform, Date, Age & Restore please?
Post by: Ruskie on Saturday 02 January 21 14:26 GMT (UK)
Annie, when you speak to the owner of the photo, ask them if there are any photographer's names on the photo - it could be embossed on the front or stamped elsewhere. Sometimes you need to angle the photo to catch the light to see the embossing.

I think it was probably taken in a studio. There could be a backdrop image that isn't showing up on this scan.
Title: Re: A J MacEach(e)/(a)n - Identify Dress/Uniform, Date, Age & Restore please?
Post by: Rosinish on Saturday 02 January 21 14:32 GMT (UK)
Gadget, there was me thinking whoever made the chair was a handyman.

I can now imagine a young lad stuffing a hankie in his pocket without worrying what it looked like  :)

I have absolutely no idea where the pic was taken & I can't find any WW1 papers for him so I'm guessing they were burnt?

Ruskie, I will need to go through a 3rd party to make contact again with the owner which may take a bit of time but will ask all relevant questions in my email which can be forwarded on.

Annie

Title: Re: A J MacEach(e)/(a)n - Identify Dress/Uniform, Date, Age & Restore please?
Post by: Gadget on Saturday 02 January 21 14:53 GMT (UK)
Annie

I'm reasonably sure it was 1880s as there are many photos of that age with the rustic bench or fence as a prop. Also one of my books tells me that the reefer jacket was popular at that time 'for working men' and as 'sporting jackets' for gentry  :-X

It's too early in style for the WW1 period.

He has quite a young face when it's cleaned up.

Gadget
Title: Re: A J MacEach(e)/(a)n - Identify Dress/Uniform, Date, Age & Restore please?
Post by: Gadget on Saturday 02 January 21 14:56 GMT (UK)
This is what i've got so far:

(not fully cleaned up)
Title: Re: A J MacEach(e)/(a)n - Identify Dress/Uniform, Date, Age & Restore please?
Post by: Rosinish on Saturday 02 January 21 15:06 GMT (UK)
Gadget,

I'll let the chap know what the thoughts are as I'm not sure as to his accuracy of who the pic is i.e. who told him although he does seem to think it's AJ but I will enquire as I think AJ is his relative of some sort?

I know a lot from my own research but that's as far as I can go with dates (sorry).

Annie

Add...Is it possible the clothes were handed down?
Title: Re: A J MacEach(e)/(a)n - Identify Dress/Uniform, Date, Age & Restore please?
Post by: Treetotal on Saturday 02 January 21 15:19 GMT (UK)
Yes it happens often in large families...also, if it's who he thinks it is, then this would be a postcard backed photo. I have my doubts as to it being the person mentioned. I wouldn't put the photo much later than late 1890s. I can't be sure of the date as my dating books are all packed  ::) It looks to be a studio photo with a scenic backdrop often used by photographers.
Carol
Title: Re: A J MacEach(e)/(a)n - Identify Dress/Uniform, Date, Age & Restore please?
Post by: Rosinish on Saturday 02 January 21 16:10 GMT (UK)
Carol,

Do you think it may be the father born 1846 & married 1886?

Annie
Title: Re: A J MacEach(e)/(a)n - Identify Dress/Uniform, Date, Age & Restore please?
Post by: Treetotal on Saturday 02 January 21 16:15 GMT (UK)
I would think it could well be. My first impression was Railway Worker.
Just a snip to show background.
Carol
Title: Re: A J MacEach(e)/(a)n - Identify Dress/Uniform, Date, Age & Restore please?
Post by: Gadget on Saturday 02 January 21 16:31 GMT (UK)
I'd think that he's no more that his early-mid 30s.
Title: Re: A J MacEach(e)/(a)n - Identify Dress/Uniform, Date, Age & Restore please?
Post by: Rosinish on Saturday 02 January 21 16:44 GMT (UK)
Thanks Gadget & Carol, what a difference in the 2 so far!

A better scan would be a great help just hope I can get 1.

I'm dreading having to say it may not be AJ  :)

Annie
Title: Re: A J MacEach(e)/(a)n - Identify Dress/Uniform, Date, Age & Restore please?
Post by: Treetotal on Saturday 02 January 21 16:47 GMT (UK)
Do you know if he had any Brothers Annie...as Gadget inferred, it's a bit of a stretch, if it was taken in the early 1880s that would make him 36/7ish.
Carol
Title: Re: A J MacEach(e)/(a)n - Identify Dress/Uniform, Date, Age & Restore please?
Post by: Rosinish on Saturday 02 January 21 16:57 GMT (UK)
My first impression was Railway Worker.

The family were Crofters on the Isle of South Uist...

I have 3 brothers b 1888 - 1963, 1890 - 1914 (AJ) & 1891 - 1915 all Seamen

Parents married 1886, father a Crofter

Annie
Title: Re: A J MacEach(e)/(a)n - Identify Dress/Uniform, Date, Age & Restore please?
Post by: Trishanne on Saturday 02 January 21 17:22 GMT (UK)
I've tried to restore this existing copy, but you will get much better results with a better copy.
Pat
Title: Re: A J MacEach(e)/(a)n - Identify Dress/Uniform, Date, Age & Restore please?
Post by: Rosinish on Saturday 02 January 21 17:40 GMT (UK)
Thanks Trishanne, I can see how a better scan would be easier to work with.

I will try to get an email address for the chap soon & I'll send the copies from here to show what can be done & I'm sure he'll oblige.

Thinking I will wait a few days when the holiday period is done.

Annie

Add...I think he looks older in this one than the original?
Title: Re: A J MacEach(e)/(a)n - Identify Dress/Uniform, Date, Age & Restore please?
Post by: Ruskie on Sunday 03 January 21 00:19 GMT (UK)
Carol and Gadget might know the answer to this -:

Would you expect his feet to be “cut off” in a studio portrait?

I think I can see an edge of the photo at the bottom so I am wondering if this postcard has been mounted which is why the feet are not visible.

It maybe something you could ask the owner Annie?

Another think to consider Annie, is that this photo may be of someone from the other side of the owner’s family.
Title: Re: A J MacEach(e)/(a)n - Identify Dress/Uniform, Date, Age & Restore please?
Post by: Gadget on Sunday 03 January 21 00:29 GMT (UK)
It certainly is missing the border at the bottom, which the other 3 sides have. However, I have seen quite a few photos of this type which have feet missing from the image.
Title: Re: A J MacEach(e)/(a)n - Identify Dress/Uniform, Date, Age & Restore please?
Post by: Rosinish on Sunday 03 January 21 00:55 GMT (UK)
I think it's possible the version I have has been cropped a tad although I don't really know?

I will be sure to ask about absolutely everything including the surrounding/outside frame, the back & to tilt for any markings on the front.

Annie
Title: Re: A J MacEach(e)/(a)n - Identify Dress/Uniform, Date, Age & Restore please?
Post by: Ruskie on Sunday 03 January 21 01:01 GMT (UK)
It certainly is missing the border at the bottom, which the other 3 sides have. However, I have seen quite a few photos of this type which have feet missing from the image.

Thanks Gadget.  :)

It’s an interesting photo Annie. I hope your contact can answer all of y/our questions. I look forward to finding out more about this sad chap.
Title: Re: A J MacEach(e)/(a)n - Identify Dress/Uniform, Date, Age & Restore please?
Post by: Rosinish on Sunday 03 January 21 01:04 GMT (UK)
I'm more concerned it's not who was 1st thought...how do I word such without offending  :-\

I have a few days to think about it!

Edit...Knowing it's working clothes & not a uniform, I'm hoping the chap does know for sure it's AJ & the clothes were just old ones belonging to his father being used?

Annie
Title: Re: A J MacEach(e)/(a)n - Identify Dress/Uniform, Date, Age & Restore please?
Post by: McGroger on Sunday 03 January 21 03:11 GMT (UK)
Annie, do you need to say at this point that it may not be who they think it is?

I’d be more inclined to say that you have some dating experts working on a precise date for the photo and a close age for the sitter, and some restorers who would love to restore it.  A picture of the whole card - front and back - would give vital clues to the age of the photo. A good scan would give a better impression of his age and a better look at some damaged details in the picture as well as guaranteeing a really good restoration. (For example in the one I’ve done below - sorry, can’t resist having a go - a lot of details are vague or made up, so wouldn’t be true to the original.)

Peter
Title: Re: A J MacEach(e)/(a)n - Identify Dress/Uniform, Date, Age & Restore please?
Post by: Rosinish on Sunday 03 January 21 03:32 GMT (UK)
Thanks Peter,

No, I don't need to mention it but I was going to ask how sure he was of who it is & of course what you mention.

I will also send the restorations so far to give an idea what a copy of the original could be transformed into as it's such a lovely pic & I'm sure he'll appreciate what's been done so far.

The problem is getting in touch with him via someone else.

Annie

Title: Re: A J MacEach(e)/(a)n - Identify Dress/Uniform, Date, Age & Restore please?
Post by: Ruskie on Sunday 03 January 21 09:55 GMT (UK)
I don’t see how he could be offended Annie, if you tell the truth about the dating, but yes, requesting a clearer scan first is probably a good idea.

As suggested by Peter, maybe you could plant the seed of doubt in his mind by saying the photo could be earlier than expected, but a better scan is required to be sure and to glean additional details.

Would you be willing to ask for the photo to be sent to you for scanning, obviously with a promise to return it?
Title: Re: A J MacEach(e)/(a)n - Identify Dress/Uniform, Date, Age & Restore please?
Post by: Rosinish on Sunday 03 January 21 13:48 GMT (UK)
Ruskie, I wouldn't ask to borrow the original for several reasons.

It's not so important for me as it would be for the chap.

Annie

Title: Re: A J MacEach(e)/(a)n - Identify Dress/Uniform, Date, Age & Restore please?
Post by: Ruskie on Sunday 03 January 21 23:35 GMT (UK)
Ok Annie, that is understandable.  ;)