The photograph shows my wife, Isobel, meeting Father Christmas in 1953. Thirteen years later, she met me. We've spent the last fifty-nine Christmases together. It's the best present I've ever had.
Category: Family Photographs
Cousin George
My mother always kept a photograph of her cousin George. By the time I inherited it, it had seen better days, having gathered almost a century's worth of scratches, dust marks, faded patches, and creases. If there is one thing I enjoy, however, it is bringing such old photographs back to life. So welcome back, … Continue reading Cousin George
Uncle Harry
Many families have an Uncle Harry. He's the one who doesn't fit in, the one who dares to be different. He's the one they tut-tut about and probably feel slightly jealous of. My Uncle Harry longed for a life on the stage, and in his twenties, he toured the country as part of a Concert … Continue reading Uncle Harry
On The Shore
This photograph is taken from a batch of family photos that once belonged to my great-uncle Albert. The subject may be him - or, more likely, his son-in-law - but it is the composition that stands out. It's a brilliant photo from almost a century ago: whatever your starting point, your eyes are taken on … Continue reading On The Shore
Crosby And Cocktails
My father posed with one of his prized possessions - a radiogram (indeed a stereogram as it had two speakers). The radio would give you access to everything from the Light Programme to the Home Service, and even Radio Luxembourg on a clear evening. The record player had a select collection of LPs by Bing … Continue reading Crosby And Cocktails
A Sepia Milestone
Sixteen years ago, as a bit of a joke, I started a on-line weekly forum for sharing old photographs called Sepia Saturday. Over the years, it has brought together people from all over the world who love to share old photographs from their collections. This week is our 800th Sepia Saturday, and my contribution is … Continue reading A Sepia Milestone
The Longtown Cyclist
My great uncle, Fowler Beanland, left his native Keighley in the early years of the twentieth century to work in Longtown, Cumbria. He was a great collector of photographs and picture postcards, and this photo of his "old friend", John Audley, comes from his collection, which I was lucky enough to inherit half a century … Continue reading The Longtown Cyclist
Sitting On The Dock
This rather strange hybrid of a photograph and colourful daubing emerged from an archaeological dig conducted on the top shelf of one of the bookshelves in my room. If I created it, I have no memory of doing so. The woman in the photograph is my mother, and the man - Uncle Charlie - a … Continue reading Sitting On The Dock
Walking Snaps
In the days before smartphone selfies, many personal photographic archive would be populated by "Walking Snaps". Professional photographers would line seaside promenades and take random shots of passing visitors, and prints would later be displayed in shop windows and be available for purchase. There is a wonderful naturalness about such photos - as in this … Continue reading Walking Snaps
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