Is this photograph "faked" Grandma Palmer

[Polldoll]

Sorry Glen  this is almost definitely a fake .....anyone else have a comment to make ?
Poll

[cazza59]

I had the same problem as Mudge.  When I first viewed it on the screen it had a blue haze to it, very weird and then when I tried to download it, it was quite clear black and white.  However, my software wouldn't open it at all. It's definitely been tampered with and there is something very wrong with the photo itself, not just the subject matter.

There could be  a good reason why the head has been superimposed on the photo, perhaps the original was damaged and this was an attempt at a restore or then again it could be just an elaborate hoax!

Happy New Year All!

Caz

[Necromancer]

cant comment on the internals of photo-shopping, but there are 'background' items in common on the 2 pics - notably the smaller of the 2 wall-hung framed pictures ....

[PrueM]

Hi Glen 
This is a strange one indeed...I agree with the others that the first photo is a fake, but I can't quite put my finger on what's been done.  Could the son of  your aunt send through another pic of the photo, this time the whole thing, and no colour changes or anything, just "as-is"?  Might help us to work it out.

It does look as though the head is not proportional to the body and the hands also look quite big.  having said that, the face and hands seem to match the later photo of your lady.  The setting is exactly the same in both photos, except for the left-hand picture on the wall, the photo/vase on the table, and the chair.  That in itself is  unusual, because it seems to be the lady's home, and it was not common for photos to be taken in the home in those days (however I have some of my own family from the 1880s taken at their own home, so it was not impossible).

I would be very much surprised if the first photo is original to the 1880s/90s (which would fit with the dress) given the incredible clarity and crispness of contrast etc. 

As I said though, if we could see the photo in its entirety, that would really help 

Prue

P.S.  What an amazing lady, to have lived all those years   

[Berlin-Bob]

" ... and here she is 70 years later. Her room hasn't changed in all that time, the same wallpaper (she just wouldn't let us change it), the same picture on the wall [left picture] (it's a family heirloom, you know). Even the same table - I wonder whatever happened to the set of chairs .... I think Auntie Ethel got them ...   "

Speaking as a non-expert, I found the face too "modern" somehow.


Bob

[cazza59]

Hmm, I think the wallpaper is different, not that it makes one iota of difference LOL

Caz

[PrueM]

That's what I thought too, Bob, the face just looks too "modern" in the first picture, but I suppose it could have been photoshopped or re-developed or any number of manipulative techniques could have been used.

I have had more of a look at the pictures side by side and I think it's definitely supposed to be the same lady - same table, same (or very similar) pose, same picture on the wall, probably same room (although carpet and I think now the wallpaper are different - trying to work out whether moulding on skirting board is the same, but can't tell)...

I would put the date of the first photo around 1890, judging by the sleeves.  Give or take a year or two.

Something is still not quite right   

Prue

[Glen in Tinsel Kni]

Thanks for the comments.

I have had some success with living rellies i have found but a couple of them don't want to know me as i am classed as a blacksheep (illegitimate and placed for adoption still has a stigma amongst the older members of the family).

 I tend to let them come back to me as they wish and don't push for information but this particular contribution has come from someone i have yet to contact personally.

The lady in the picture was quite well off and owned several properties which she rented out, when she died most of her wealth went to a small number of rellies and there was apparently some ill feeling amongst the family from those who were left out. My mother did benefit and my siblings were largely ignored from that time onwards.

[PrueM]

Side by side, in case it helps....

I still think it's the same lady, just can't explain why the first photo looks so strange 

Prue