What’s that picture?

Have you ever looked at an old photograph and wondered where it was taken? What something is in a picture? Or whose face it is staring back at you?

What’s That Picture? is a site for anyone who wants hints, tips and practical help to find out where, what, or who is featured in an old picture.

Here you’ll find Recent Discoveries, new Mysteries, and coming soon some helpful hints and tips to help you identify and date your own photographs. There’s also the In Focus section, shining a spotlight on wonderful vintage images from around the world.

Recent posts

Weekly twitter digest: 2012-01-27

Weekly twitter digest: 2012-01-20

Weekly twitter digest: 2012-01-13

Ealing’s Victorian photographic studios and early photographers

I am starting to pull together all the information I can find about Ealing’s early photographic studios.  This is just a first attempt – very much work in progress – to share this information with others who may be interested and especially for anyone who may be able to contribute.

Cabinet Card by Wakefield, 1 High Street, Ealing, early 1900s

Ealing is a suburb about nine miles due west of the centre of London.  I have lived there, in four different houses now, for nearly 20 years so it seemed an obvious topic to cover!  For the purposes of this article I am restricting ‘Ealing’ to the areas of Ealing Broadway, South Ealing, North Ealing, and Northfields.  I will probably also include Hanwell and Boston Manor, as that is where I live, and then in time look to expand it to cover areas such as Acton, Brentford, Greenford and and Southall.  By early photographers I mean pre World War 1.  And by their nature, most of these studios were portrait studios, so most examples are of unknown individuals rather than old views of Ealing itself.

Photographic studios

Here’s a first stab at a simple list of all the Ealing photographic studios I have found, and a summary of what I know about them so far.  Initial  sources are:

1. Photographer listings on www.photolondon.org.uk
2. Items seen listed on eBay
3. Items shared by other users on Flickr
4. My personal collection as shared on Flickr

Note that I have not yet consulted the excellent (but not free) www.victorianphotographers.co.uk which I am sure will fill in a lot of gaps and answer many questions, especially in relation to dates.  I will also try to undertake some genealogical research, and have made contact with the Ealing Local History Centre where I will aim to look at local trade directories, maps etc.

Bell, Edwin

Listed as a photographer living in Ealing in 1881, 1891 & 1901 census records. Formerly assistant with Lock & Whitfield. [1a]

Examples: Cabinet cards [2, 2, 2, 2]

Bridge, E.L.

There is no mention of EL Bridge on www.photolondon.org.uk [1]; the only reference to this studio I have found so far is from the carte de visite that was listed on eBay (see below)

Examples: Carte de visite [2]

Hopgood, E.

Edwin James [Jas] Hopgood b1862, or father Edward (both photographers).  Check comments in source link for further location info, provided by Flickr user Paul J Hilton [3j]

Neither Edwin nor Edward Hopgood is listed on www.photolondon.org.uk [1]

Sandringham Studio, High St [3k]

Examples: Carte de visite [2, 3v (6 images)]

Lock & Whitfield

Unknown woman by Lock & Whitfield, The Common, Ealing

A well known and sizable studio, first based in central London and then opening a branch in Brighton.  I am not sure as yet when the Ealing studio opened, but I suspect it was around 1880.

Samuel Robert Lock and George C Whitfield [3s]

“printing establishment moved from Kensington to Ealing March 1869; still in operation 1908.” [1b]

When sold in 1908 address given as Burlington House, Uxbridge Road, Ealing Common [1b]; this address, assuming it to be the same, is now a council run care home and is situated as you leave Ealing Broadway heading east (into London) along the Uxbridge Road, just before Ealing Common.

Also at 178 Regent Street, September 1856 – 1894 [1b]; shown on cabinet cards – see examples below

See also George Carpe Whitfield, in Additional Names section below – I now believe that this is the Whitfield related to the Lock & Whitfield studio.

Examples: Cabinet card [2, 2, 2, 2, 4c]; unknown format(CdV?) [3u]; Woodburytypes [3t (many images)]

McLanachan, J.L.

Likely John Lorimer McLanachan; b. 1845 Ayrshire [3b]

2 The Mall [3c]

It is suggested that he may have only been in Ealing for a couple of years c. 1881 (possibly after which EC Porter took over at 2 The Mall) – see comprehensive comments from Flickr user Paul J Hilton[3b]

There is no mention of JL McLanachan on http://www.photolondon.org.uk [1]

Examples: [3w (5 images)]

Muir, Samuel John

78 Uxbridge Road [2]; 78 Uxbridge Road, Ealing 1895 – 1904 [1c, 3n]

In 1891 he is recorded as living at 67 Eccleston Road, Ealing (I suspect far too small to run any sort of business – I used to live at 84), and then in 1901 at the studio address at 78 Uxbridge Road [1c]

Percy John Muir, Samuel’s son, is listed in 1901 as a  photographic assistant living at 78 Uxbridge Road, Ealing [1d]

Examples: Carte de visite [3n]; Cabinet card [2]; Real photo postcard [3p]

Unknown woman by EC Porter, The Mall, Ealing

Porter, Edward Cecil

6 The Esplanade [3e, 3i, 3m]
2 The Mall [3g]
20 The Mall [2]

Census records show him at 2 Cumberland Terrace in 1892 as an artist/painter, then as a photographer at 2 The Mall in 1891, then 20 The Mall in 1901.

Kelly’s Directory for Ealing records (accessed via www.historicaldirectories.org):
1889-90: 2 The Mall
1893-4: 20 The Mall and then states “photographer (Holcombe)” which I’m not too clear on the meaning of.
1907: 21 The Mall

There are several records of the surname Porter on www.photolondon.org.uk, but none for Edward Cecil. The most notable is Mary Ann who was a photographic mounter living on Windsor Road in 1891 and 1901 – I have a feeling she will be a relative of Edward [1e]

Examples: Carte de visite [2, 3f, 3h, 3l, 3o, 4a]; Cabinet card [3a, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3d]

Unknown lady, by Alfred Raines, 7 Queens Terrace, Ealing Dean

Raines, Alfred

The only record I currently have of this studio is a single cabinet card that I own.  Raines is not listed on www.photolondon.org.uk.  There are however records on www.victorianphotographers.co.uk which I shall have to access.

7 Queens Terrace, Ealing Dean [4b]

Examples: [4b]

Wakefield, Frank

21 The Mall, Ealing 1897 – 1901 [1f]
1 High Street, Ealing 1902 – 1904 [1f]

Unknown man & woman (groom & bride?) by Wakefield, 1 High Street, Ealing

The census records show him in 1901 as a photographer living at 24 Oxford Road, Ealing [1f]; his three sons also worked in the business – Edward Arthur, Frank Graham & George Hamilton Wakefield; he had worked until 1880 in the City in partnership with Henry Holden Bray

Examples: Cabinet card: [4a (7 images)]; Unknown format [3q, 3r]

Whitfield

see Lock & Whitfield

Additional names

I have come across several other names of photographers who at some point lived in Ealing.  These may all warrant further research, but for now I shall just list them.  All information is sourced from www.photolondon.org.uk unless stated.

Atkinson, Arthur Woodcroft – 1901: photographer living at 65 Warwick Road, Ealing

Bagley, Arthur John – 1881: photographer living at 4 Coningsby Road, Ealing

Bradshaw, Alfred Herbert – 1901: photographer living at 92 Park Road North, Acton.

Bradshaw, Charles Frederick – 1901: photographer living at 92 Park Road North, Acton

Bulley, Herbert – 1881: photographic assistant living at 20 Princes Road, Ealing

Bullingham, Henry – 1891: photographer living at 8 Heathfeld Road, Acton.
1901: photographer living at 40 Avenue Road, Acton (studio was in Kensington)

Burow, Ralph – 1901: photographer living at 9 Churchfield Road East, Ealing (studio in Regent Street)

Edwards, Benjamin Joseph – 1901: photographic chemist living at Greylands Lodge, Castle Bar Park, Ealing (not a photographer as such, but I have included him as the photolondon listing shows many fascinating looking photographic patents against his name, and his firm moved to Castlebar Works, Ealing Dean in 1905)

Fleming, Mary – 1891: photographer with father Lewis Baldwin Fleming, living at Norwood Villa, High Street, Hanwell

Foxlee, Edward William Michael – 1881: photographer living at 1 Gloucester Villas, Acton. 1891 & 1901: photographer living at 22 Goldsmith Road, Acton.

Garratt, James Philip -1901: photographer living at Wooden Cottage, Warwick Road, Ealing.

Gay, David – 1881: photo enameller living at 2 Shirley Villas, Hanwell. 1901: retired, living in Ealing.

Gill, Sydney – 1901: photographer living in Ealing.

Glasse, Thomas Allan – 1891: photographer living at 30 Arlington Road, Ealing.

Hall, William Henry – 1881: photographer living at 18 Coningsby Road, Ealing.
1891: photographer living at 7 Shakespeare Road, Acton.

Hyatt, James Hallett L – 1891: photographer living at 1 Hamilton Road, Ealing.
1901: photographer living at 3 Kent Villas, Kent Gardens, Ealing (studio in Great Russel St, Bloomsbury)

Lewis, Stephen Charles – 1881: Autotype printer living in Hanwell (studio at 3 Ealing Terrace, Uxbridge Road, Hammersmith 1888 – 1889)

Martyn, Frank – 1901: photographer living at 12 Argyle Road, Ealing. Also artist (earlier, studios in Islington and Westminster)

Mason, Frederick G – 1891: photographer living at 25 Coldershaw Road, Ealing.
1901: photographer living at 8 Holly Park Terrace, Hanwell

Parker, William Edward – 1901: photographer living in Acton.

Praetorius, Charles B – Employed at Autotype Establishment, Ealing June 1870. Studios in Kensington 1872-1891

Sawyer, John Robert Mather – 1881: photographer living at 51 Windsor Road, Ealing. 1884: photographer living at 3 Windsor Road, Ealing.  In addition there are several mentions of companies, patents and bibliographic references relating to printing processes, including autotypes.

Sisman, Thomas Limbird – 1891: photographer living at 1 Broomfields, Broomfield Road, Ealing Dean.
1901: photographer living at 37 Broomfield Road, Ealing Dean.

Spencer, John Alexander – 1874: photographer living at Brownlow House, Ealing Dean. Joined Autotype Company in 1870

Taylor, Joseph & Harold – father & son; 1901: both photographers living at 18 Alacross Road, Ealing

Vidler, Frederick William Wilson – 1881: photographer living at 5 Avenue Road, Ealing (later, studios in Willesden)

Watson, Edward Ellis – 1901: photographer living at Burlington House, Uxbridge Road, Ealing.

George Carpe Whitfield – 1881: photographer living at 14 Sandringham Road, Ealing.  Several business interests and mentions of printing, especially Woodburytypes, and also as the founder of the Paget Prize Plate Co and patent holder for Paget colour plates. However, other sources typically list this as G S Whitfield, and I have since discovered that in 1891 he worked with a George Sydney Whitfield (relationship unknown).  I now believe that  George Whitfield is linked to the Lock & Whitfield studio.   [3s] gives the names as Samuel Robert Lock and George C Whitfield, and I have also found many excellent examples of  Woodburytypes by this studio [3t].

Whiting, Charles Rowland – 1881: photographer living at 14 Denmark Villas, Ealing. Lodger.
1891: photographic operator living at 48 Denmark Road, Ealing. Studios in Camden and Shepherd’s Bush various dates 1866-1887.

Wilkinson, William Thompson – 1881: photographer living at 1 Bloomfield Place, Broomfield Road, Ealing Dean; bankrupt in 1882 then studio in Kensington 1883-4.

Comments

Just compiling this overview highlights a few things of note:

- a number of photographers used the studio at 2 The Mall

- most of the records and examples found date from c. 1880 or later.  This may be no coincidence, as it was at that time that Ealing expanded rapidly with teh arrival of the Metropolitan District Railway (now London Underground’s District Line)

- I am fascinated by a couple of mentions of Ealing in the Additional Names section above, especially the many mentions relating to autotypes and one of the “Autotype Establishment, Ealing”.  I have not pursued this line of enquiry in any depth, but a quick search found information about the Autotype Company which moved from Brixton to Brownlow Road (in what is now known as West Ealing) and at one point employed 70 people – see http://www.aim25.ac.uk/cgi-bin/vcdf/detail?coll_id=13318&inst_id=118&nv1=search&nv2=.  Furthermore the company that acquired Autotype, MacDermid, has a page about the history of the company and a photograph of the Ealing works.  It also states that they moved away from Ealing by 1978 and “There are currently no traces of the old factory in Ealing as the site was used by the Ealing council to provide social housing” – see http://www.cps.eu/autotype.nsf/pages/europeaboutHistory

- likewise through George Carpe Whitfield and George Sydney Whitfield I have discovered that the Woodbury Permanent Photographic Printing Co was at Kent Gardens, Ealing until moving in 1897 – see http://www.photolondon.org.uk/pages/details.asp?pid=8659

1901: photographer living at 92 Park Road North, Acton.

Weekly twitter digest: 2012-01-06

  • New on Flickr: The Fisheries 1907 (possibly Kent): whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    Another informal shot of… http://t.co/1rwzZ7RG #

  • New on Flickr: Hook Edwardian family album #4 whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    This is the fourth full page… http://t.co/chehHfpq #

  • New on Flickr: Unknown mother and son on a garden bench, c. 1907: whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    I have ma… http://t.co/FcsiFbnN #

  • New on Flickr: Unknown Edwardian lady, probably Hook family, 1907: whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    Not quit… http://t.co/G1bmpd0x #

  • New on Flickr: Edwardian man and dog, possibly John Hook, 1907: whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    Is this Joh… http://t.co/9urjtTey #

  • New on Flickr: Hook Edwardian family album #3 whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    See more images from this fa… http://t.co/E0D3pzrp #

  • Can any photo 'detectives' out there confirm if this is a police uniform? http://t.co/MZhu9TgW #
  • @JayneShrimpton Hi Jayne, can you confirm that this is late Victorian, rather than Edwardian? http://t.co/dz3Eunsv We think c. 1897 #
  • Happy New Year everyone – just 50 minutes of 2011 left here in London! 12 months ago @PhotosOfThePast wasn't even on Twitter. What fun had! #
  • Late night, awful rainy day – perfect time to just relax and scan more of the Hook family Edwardian photo album http://t.co/t6omUVbV #
  • @JayneShrimpton thanks Jayne, that's great to know. Do look at the rest of the album as I upload them – some real gems. Happy New Year. in reply to JayneShrimpton #
  • New on Flickr: Hook Edwardian family album #6 whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    These two photos were posted… http://t.co/UfMhoEWr #

  • New on Flickr: Unknown Edwardian lady in doorway, December 1907: whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    Possibly t… http://t.co/kpzo7m2U #

  • New on Flickr: Hook Edwardian family album #7 whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    Click on links in notes to … http://t.co/W2ygUv6q #

  • Every Christmas needs a sleeping uncle! "Uncle Glen De Boeck." http://t.co/u2RCr6gz #
  • @veela_valoom daguerreotype looks like a mirror, tintype usually dark. Other possibility is ambrotype. Happy to take a look … in reply to veela_valoom #
  • @veela_valoom yeap, that looks 99% like a tintype to me. Another test is to put a magnet on the back and see if it sticks. in reply to veela_valoom #
  • Tee hee. Great captions! RT @annakrentz: Embarrassing drunk pics from a 1942 ski party in the blog today: http://t.co/6Ohv5rkI #
  • Am I wrong to be tempted by this amazing looking @EastmanHouse 5day course here in UK at Lacock Abbey? http://t.co/6rT4a8Ze #hidecreditcard #
  • @GildedDays no earlier than 1870s, possibly later I think http://t.co/hpEHykp3 in reply to GildedDays #
  • @margotnote oh dear, you're supposed to say don't do it! And it's at Lacock Abbey too – what a venue. in reply to margotnote #
  • New on Flickr: Edwardian man and boy, probably father and son: whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    The boy here… http://t.co/9EX4iqqP #

  • New on Flickr: Man and baby – probably John Hook, with son John Stapleton Hook, August 1907: whatsthatpicture po… http://t.co/zE1vPN98 #
  • New on Flickr: Woman and baby – probably Ethel Hook with son John Stapleton Hook (b Q1 1907), March 1907: whatst… http://t.co/YGQlz1E8 #
  • Edwardian ladies in wonderful large hats under the old oak tree, June 1907 http://t.co/gxygLzPn #
  • Lovely Edwardian interior 'snapshot' with lady on chair and glass cabinet of ceramics, 1906 http://t.co/JmvYPAXk #
  • @RyanD my thoughts exactly ;) Just need to get credit card company to realise that paying $1,600 USD via PayPal isn't actually fraudulent! in reply to RyanD #
  • @RyanD Thanks. In the meantime I've emailed Stacey to get a space reserved. Was it you who tweeted about it? Can't remember how I saw it in reply to RyanD #
  • New on Flickr: Unknown Edwardian man in working cloths – carpenter, blacksmith?: whatsthatpicture posted a photo… http://t.co/XegwpxNi #
  • New on Flickr: Aspidistra pot plant, c. 1905: whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    Pride and joy, sitting on the… http://t.co/H5onarq3 #

  • New on Flickr: Unknown Edwardian ladies in garden #3 whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    I'm not sure, but I t… http://t.co/BrOm7N1g #

  • A huge surge in followers (thank you all!) means I'm just 29 short of the magic 1,000! #
  • @RyanD payment now successfully made :) 12 hour delay = extra £30 due to exchange rate change. Damn credit card companies! in reply to RyanD #
  • @Debs_Dwelling @katelockhart @ArchivalBiz @CornAndCotton thanks for mention – just 24 more to go now :) #
  • Some stunning images you've found Anna RT @annakrentz: 19th century portraits of dogs in the blog today: http://t.co/F1k8hKz9 #
  • Could you get more wrapped up than this cute Edwardian baby in his pram? http://t.co/NXUDecyq #
  • Who would have thought this informal Edwardian family picture is10 years before Downton Abbey series 2 was set?! http://t.co/fvtP3w05 #
  • Interesting composition – I think the photographer wanted to take a picture of the tree rather than the boy! http://t.co/lySakGUS #
  • I love this more each time I see it – Edwardian interior showing Ethel Hook at her piano, c1907 http://t.co/wnmGMvKW #
  • I promised I would donate 10p per view of http://t.co/VPZBD5Gz to Macmillan/Movember. Have just given £60 to each – http://t.co/eryXZr2Z #
  • Technical perfection in a photograph isn't everything – this one has a definite, if fuzzy, charm about it http://t.co/pr2SzGha #
  • Brilliant, though surely staged?! MT @delaval_astley: My grandad's uncle Fred Wood 'World Champion Bicyclist' http://t.co/ls2r3qqh #
  • My family are all cyclists, but I don't have any wonderful pics like this! MT @delaval_astley: http://t.co/ZHYVQqlk #
  • New on Flickr: The waterfront, Maldon, Essex, early 1900s: whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    Not sure if the … http://t.co/LsPqDBOK #

  • New on Flickr: Unknown Edwardian lady with a very fine hat!: whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    Another myster… http://t.co/466cLJvl #

  • New on Flickr: Ethel Hook at her piano, c. 1907: whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    I'm pretty certain this is… http://t.co/v4Uuu4Sw #

  • New on Flickr: Superb Edwardian interior with fireplace and piano: whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    Nice int… http://t.co/7gDQMZWu #

  • New on Flickr: Baby John Hook in wonderful wicker chair, 1907: whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    I am pretty … http://t.co/uhESKB92 #

  • New on Flickr: Hook Edwardian family album #12 whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    Click on links in notes to … http://t.co/hqdhfdQ1 #

  • New on Flickr: Edwardian family group with dog, underneath the oak tree, 1907: whatsthatpicture posted a photo:
    … http://t.co/EhkAdiLF #
  • New on Flickr: Unknown Edwardian lady, possibly one of the Hook sisters, 1907: whatsthatpicture posted a photo:
    … http://t.co/oWpKufhP #
  • New on Flickr: Hook Edwardian family album #13 whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    Click on links in notes to … http://t.co/lTiQnltU #

  • @annakrentz one of my faves from my own collection is a Victorian dog – http://t.co/7kwh1sky #
  • If you wanted your photo taken in 1902, looks like you just had to commit a bit of larceny (via @TWArchives on Flickr) http://t.co/UZXSo9RU #
  • @JayneShrimpton thanks for the RT. These dated Edwardian images are, for once, ones I don't need your dating skills for! Nice, aren't they? in reply to JayneShrimpton #
  • Oh, *this* James Dawson http://t.co/lXDf4N4F RT @EastMarple1: @PhotosOfThePast I don't like the look of James Dawson!!!! #
  • @EastMarple1 In contrast the women prisoners just look sad and destitute, especially Mabel Smith http://t.co/fbL62Gc5 in reply to EastMarple1 #
  • New on Flickr: Two Edwardian ladies and a dog, at the back door, 1907: whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    The … http://t.co/2GxRQesO #

  • New on Flickr: Hook Edwardian family album #14 whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    Click on links in notes to … http://t.co/QDGnf8LT #

  • New on Flickr: Ethel Hook and baby John, one month old, February 1907: whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    Beau… http://t.co/sGFv3Zb2 #

  • I'm starting to feel I would like to be John Hook, back in 1907 – seen here relaxing in his 3-piece & boater http://t.co/soxfyjPk #
  • Amazing record of photographer killed whilst working. William Bartier died 1915 while photographing HMS Black Prince http://t.co/fKuK1Kjs #
  • New on Flickr: Edwardian blackmith (or other trade) in a workshop: whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    Another … http://t.co/XpY8O6jM #

  • New on Flickr: Unknown Edwardian lady reading: whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    Another intriguing interior … http://t.co/Qx8izcMb #

  • New on Flickr: Delightful Edwardian interior shot with picture of lion above fireplace: whatsthatpicture posted … http://t.co/BlBdM1ud #
  • @naagovau have just uploaded some wonderful WW1 portraits of soldiers to #Flickr – http://t.co/5ffKHGIJ #
  • New on Flickr: John Hook, seated with cigarette in hand, 1907: whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    Yet another … http://t.co/7qxBBymV #

  • New on Flickr: Hook Edwardian family album #17 whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    Click on links in notes to … http://t.co/JyUDqheX #

  • New on Flickr: John and Ethel Hook at the back door of Park View, 1907: whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    Thi… http://t.co/GniDnlIP #

  • It never ceases to fascinate me which of my vintage images are the most popular on Flickr – http://t.co/aIOhmwIS – some quite unexpected #
  • New on Flickr: Ethel Hook and baby John, April 1907: whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    Another portrait of Et… http://t.co/gHU0ifTX #

  • New on Flickr: Hook Edwardian family album #18 whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    Click on links in notes to … http://t.co/KxeW93J3 #

  • New on Flickr: John Hook and dog, August 1907: whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    I hadn't spotted this image … http://t.co/YbuP3o57 #

  • Excited to be attending the Eastman House workshop at Lacock Abbey in June – http://t.co/6rT4a8Ze It was that or a new laptop :) #easychoice #
  • Can anyone *not* smile at at this cute 1907 baby picture, complete with mittens and bonnet? Awwwwww. http://t.co/xwwfRacz #
  • New on Flickr: Baby John Hook, possibly with his grandmother, 1907: whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    I think… http://t.co/C5Q8vm8V #

  • New on Flickr: Hook Edwardian family album #19 whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    Click on links in notes to … http://t.co/pYIQ5SSJ #

  • New on Flickr: Baby John Hook in his pram, complete with mittens and hat, December 1907: whatsthatpicture posted… http://t.co/eiTHIQgr #
  • Wow, the Fox Talbot Museum now has 18,564 items online http://t.co/dRWygb85 incl 6,669 scanned images (use filters to restrict to photos) #
  • What a gorgeous Edwardian pram Ethel Hook had for baby John back in 1907 http://t.co/ATJKwUVz #
  • Fascinating piece on post mortem pics RT @margotnote: article begins: "The traffic in dead babies is booming, on eBay." http://t.co/UUnnnE7z #
  • I have just had invite "This event is really something for ALL generations, GRANDMOTHERS, MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS" – no blokes allowed then? #
  • New on Flickr: Ethel Hook with baby John in the park #3 whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    In this very varie… http://t.co/uR11ZZYd #

  • New on Flickr: Ethel Hook with baby John in the park #2 whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    In contrast to the… http://t.co/S0wVWrPY #

  • New on Flickr: Ethel Hook with baby John in the park #4 whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    What a glorious pr… http://t.co/DRmV6bBL #

  • "a pivotal development in history of photography" – Fox Talbot's 'An Oak Tree in Winter' c.1842/3 – http://t.co/wDLgyms3 #
  • So much emotion and energy in one photo RT @annakrentz: A wonderful, enthusiastic welcome home, WW2: http://t.co/hBnUnbJ1 #
  • That last tweet reminds me – another plug for one of my favourite Flickr contacts and his 'Peculiar Snapshots' set – http://t.co/XYXJFckQ #
  • New on Flickr: John Hook sitting by the piano, July 1907 – Hook Edwardian family album #22 whatsthatpicture pos… http://t.co/dkLhm87Q #
  • @anna_boman oak trees can even take center stage in snapshots! http://t.co/gxygLzPn in reply to anna_boman #
  • "Mrs Rosanna Forster from Kent is a chimney sweep, carrying on her husband's business while he serves abroad" @I_W_M http://t.co/GJJzj6fI #
  • The Horace Nichols images of women at work in WW1 from @I_W_M is amazing (if a little patronising by today's standards) http://t.co/CudCIwmh #

Weekly twitter digest: 2011-12-30

  • Wow, in just 5 days my Flickr Commons @Layar mobile app has had >1300 people use it from >100 countries! http://t.co/uVtvqYL3 #
  • @margotnote intrigued by relievo suggestion – this the only ambro I own that is sealed like a daguerreotype http://t.co/LVxKSG9x in reply to margotnote #
  • @RyanD gigapixels? Are you offering to buy me a nice new scanner for Christmas? Have a good holiday. in reply to RyanD #
  • @RyanD 'primary digitization rig' – serious toy envy! At best I have a dslr on a tripod with a cobbled together lighting rig! @margotnote in reply to RyanD #
  • New on Flickr: Vintage Christmas interior: whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    Not a great quality image, and v… http://t.co/jxTNaYMy #

  • New on Flickr: This lot know how to have a good time at Christmas!: whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    Sorting… http://t.co/k3bnSZ40 #

  • New on Flickr: Christmas party hats: whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    Sorting through a bagful of snapshots … http://t.co/VMm7mb04 #

  • @RyanD For small numbers maybe, but for an album of 200 cartes de visite, fronts and backs, I simply don't have the time (or patience) in reply to RyanD #
  • Wishing all my Twitter followers "a very merry Christmas & many of them" with these 3 sweet young children – http://t.co/EAkkPRFN #
  • New on Flickr: To dear Willie wishing him a very merry Christmas & many of them: whatsthatpicture posted a photo… http://t.co/LMRzUDs9 #
  • New on Flickr: Unboxing Day: whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    Before Christmas I had a bit of a tidy and fou… http://t.co/9BiS9HnM #

  • New on Flickr: "Wishing you a Happy Christmas" – Cabinet Card greeting: whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    I j… http://t.co/cj82QPEi #

  • New on Flickr: Ghosts of Christmas Past?: whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    In amongst hundreds of snapshots … http://t.co/YJakecTO #

  • Spotted on #Flickr christmas, diane arbus style: unexpectedtales posted a photo:

    For many more unusual, bea… http://t.co/6Mcsvsty #

  • Spotted on #Flickr party like its 1926: unexpectedtales posted a photo:

    wonderful low light 1920's shot
    For… http://t.co/XnH3ozYz #

  • New on Flickr: Room for, errr, one: whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    Another pair of snapshots found in my r… http://t.co/wyIvx5a9 #

  • Just found out my GGG Uncle Tutton was captain of the St George RYS & sailed 43,000 miles around world in 22 months, 1891-2 #genealogy #
  • @MarDixon good thanks. Just sitting at my parents watching 1960s family cine films my aunt has had put on DVD. How's you? in reply to MarDixon #
  • Spotted on #Flickr Memories: BeautyOfThePast posted a photo:

    A small cabinet card with lots of lovely detai… http://t.co/phvpgTtU #

  • New on Flickr: E Scott & Co, Brixton Carriage Works, 53 Acre Lane, Brixton SW2 – 1932: whatsthatpicture posted a… http://t.co/5PkoqUGY #
  • Then & Now: E Scott & Co, Brixton Carriage Works, lorries cars and char-a-bancs, 1932 on @Historypin http://t.co/k3jACsLW #
  • Usually it's my images identified on Flickr, but it's nice to return the favour – Richmond Mansions, Old Brompton Rd http://t.co/BUy1Rxah #
  • I LOVE this image of an Edwardian lady with snow covered coat, from a wonderful early 1900s album http://t.co/6jQgolG4 #
  • I really should listen to @PhotoDetective: Turn your piles of pictures into a model of photo organization in 5 steps. http://t.co/9xNJL6ai #
  • @EastMarple1 Have uploaded the HOOK family pics to Flickr. I'll leave you to report on your genealogical sleuthing – http://t.co/qn27GoiP #
  • Excellent! RT @orlaffitz: Pet Pictures – Irish dog photographs 1870-1920 http://t.co/2pEn1iqc #
  • Anyone heard of a studio "Kanige/Kanice(?) West, in Rochester, Kent, UK? Around 1924 http://t.co/qn27GoiP #
  • New on Flickr: Hook children, studio portrait December 1924: whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    With the early… http://t.co/7UOhxSFw #

  • New on Flickr: Hook family portrait, December 1924: whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    With the early 1900s Ho… http://t.co/svCk8vEY #

  • New on Flickr: Soldiers in Asia? "A color print made by Kodak": whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    The one and… http://t.co/bZ9XTlul #

  • @CdLCreative thanks for RT. @monaxle @medwayeyes this site has "Karise West" but no other info on them anywhere else http://t.co/gTMjcVWr in reply to CdLCreative #
  • Hello, hello, hello, who's the mystery onlooker?! http://t.co/MZhu9TgW #
  • Beautiful, intimate Edwardian family 'back yard' portrait of parents and their five daughters – http://t.co/dz3Eunsv #
  • @2nerdyhistgirls @DrFrond absolutely, wonderful ferns! Sadly I think the pot is empty in other shots #
  • New on Flickr: Family of five daughters(?) from Hook family album, c. 1905: whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    … http://t.co/0R1Z7Ntd #

  • New on Flickr: Policeman in Hook family album, with mystery onlooker!: whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    The … http://t.co/NUGorFYk #

  • New on Flickr: Hook family album – unknown wrestler, boxer or … ?: whatsthatpicture posted a photo:

    An int… http://t.co/Jja52uni #

  • @HouseHistorian @JayneShrimpton I think you will especially appreciate this c. 1900 paneled interior http://t.co/D02VdzBg #
  • @DrFrond thanks for the comments. Did you know my 'day job' is working at Kew Gardens? I still remember the old fern house :( in reply to DrFrond #
  • @DrFrond wow, bet you were pleased when you found that one! I'll keep an eye out for more, and ask our archives team in reply to DrFrond #
  • @DrFrond hard to tell from a small detail. Instinct tells me it's a real photo postcard – correct? If so, likely early 1900s in reply to DrFrond #
  • Beautiful RT @lifeasdaddy: Circa 1865 tintype. Very unusual mother/daughter pose for that era methinks. http://t.co/jlbMTQBr #
  • "I'll sit on the polar bear skin, you stroke its head" – unusual 1924 studio prop for childrens' portrait! http://t.co/qn27GoiP #
  • @DrFrond could you resend link to full pic – I think I'm being a bit dim! in reply to DrFrond #
  • @DrFrond I really, really am being dim – just found it open in another browser window! http://t.co/k0OZXp1N in reply to DrFrond #
  • @DrFrond ah, a cabinet card? Reverse blank? SUPERB picture, just my taste. Poss 1890s, I shall do some more research. http://t.co/k0OZXp1N in reply to DrFrond #
  • Not sure I've ever seen as many moustaches in one shot as in this large group of men, August 1907 http://t.co/egVwV1Di #

Weekly twitter digest: 2011-12-23

Mapping Flickr Commons

Did you know that Flickr Commons, home to some of the finest images from many of the best public collections in the world, currently has 181,247 images of which 17,456 (9.6%) are geotagged?

In a review I wrote about websites and services for displaying vintage images on maps (and in mobile apps for that matter) I mentioned that there was no such thing, as far as I was aware, for displaying Flickr Commons images.  Well, I felt I ought to fill that void, so I’ve spent a little time reminding myself how to write code, and learning a few new tricks along the way. Still very much work in progress, but the results so far are:

Flickr Commons on Google Earth

Flickr Commons on Google Earth

Flickr Commons on Google Earth

Google Earth is a very neat bit of software that allows you to explore the whole world in 3D.  It has lots of built in stuff you can display, but you can also add your own things, through a format known as kml.  So all that was needed was something that would use the excellent Flickr API and convert it into kml, and then a tool to just display what was in the current view and stop overloading everything with over 17,000 images at once.

How to view Commons images on Google Earth

First you’ll need to make sure you have Google Earth installed. Then you simply click on this link – www.whatsthatpicture.com/flickr/commons.kml – and make sure you open it in Google Earth.

Once it’s loaded you’ll get the latest 100 images from the area on view. Pan around and zoom in and out, then when you stop it will display the 100 images for that region – just give it a few seconds to fetch them. Try zooming (or ‘flying to’ as they call it) Paris, Sydney, London, New York …

Have a play and see what you think.  There are also a couple of ‘hidden’ features in my code that allow the more technically savvy to filter by keyword and by Flickr Commons member institution.  For example here are all the war images (just add ?q=war or whatever search term you wish), and here are all the images from the National Library of Ireland (add ?owner=47290943@N03, or the userid of one of the other 50+ Commons organisations you want – find them all in this xml)

Flickr Commons on Layar – now live

Flickr Commons on Layar

Flickr Commons on Layar mobile augmented reality browser

Finally, and because 90% of the work was already done, I’ve created a version that displays Commons images in the Layar augmented reality mobile phone app. Wherever you find yourself you will be able to open up the app on your smartphone and browse around you for the nearest Flickr Commons images.

I’ve submitted it for approval to Layar, and all being equal it should be available publicly in the next few days. Update 19/12: the Flickr Commons Layer is now live – http://layar.it/u3CSgE. If you open the link on a compatible smartphone* it should take you straight to the layer, or prompt you to download the app if you don’t have it installed.  Any user with Layar already installed can also search for it within the public library which comprises thousands of layers worldwide.

*You’ll need a smartphone, and to install the Layar app, which is available for iPhone, Android, Symbian (Nokia) and Blackberry.

Flickr Commons custom map – coming soon

Flickr Commons on Google Maps

Flickr Commons on Google Maps (early protoype)

It’s very straightforward to also display the kml for Google Earth in Google Maps, giving access via a standard web browser.  You just go to Google maps and paste in the address of the kml file – like this.

The user experience leaves a lot to be desired though, and I personally find it almost unusable as it jumps around a lot, and the info windows suddenly disappear.

I’m working on a custom version (screengrab of prototype shown here) which I hope will be live soon – if there are any developers with Google Maps experience reading this who’d like to lend a hand …

Feedback

These are very much ‘work in progress’ – if you spot any issues, or have any suggestions, then please leave a comment or drop a note to me.

Weekly twitter digest: 2011-12-16

Weekly twitter digest: 2011-12-09

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