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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: GKE on Sunday 10 October 10 17:34 BST (UK)
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Believe this to be David Kennedy, b. 1839 , chemist.
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Oh WOW! :D
That is absolutely gorgeous - what a wonderful photo, and in amazing condition (presumably because no-one has fiddled about and got it out of its little case before).
I'm sure you will get plenty of interest if you would like this restored, although it barely needs any work at all.
Cheers
Prue
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Yes, this is fantastic. What is he holding, not - as I first thought - a telescope, but some sort of chemical instrument? And a case next to it, of something else? Obviously meant to denote his occupation.
I know it's a silly remark, but such a modern face.
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Wonderful...I think you've got the technique, GKE ;D
Now, any remarks from PrueM are to be taken to heart, as she is a professional photo conservator. If she's green with envy, and she has seen a lot of this sort of photo, just imagine the rest of us ;D ;D
Cheers,
China
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The two objects in the right side of the case kind of look like long forceps or tweezers.
The object in the middle of the case looks like a test tube.
See how the sides of his hair are kind of flipped out a bit? That would likely be because he has been wearing a hat.
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Is that a very low watch chain we can see at the bottom of his jacket?
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I have no idea if they have ever been taken out before Prue but they do seem in good shape. The leather is a little worn on most of them and one case has a broken lock. The plush inside has come loose on 3 but other than that they seem fairly sturdy. Good to hear it needs very little restoration. I have no idea what it is that he is holding Igor. I'm hoping someone will say it is something to do with chemistry so I can confirm that this is David the Chemist! He does seem to have a very modern face although seems quite stern.
I will start putting up the rest on new threads China right away. I'm thrilled to have Prue's expert opinion on all of these pictures!
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It looks like a set of dividers, or possibly tweezers, on the right of the case. I wondered if what he is holding was a ruler of some kind. It looks like it belongs in the case, 2nd space from left.
*Sigh* GREEN with envy is right! ;D
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He looks the youngest of the sons & is wearing the more fashionable bow,jacket with contrasting trousers make him look right up to date.Unusual to see personal items in such an early photo.Late 1850's -v.early 60's I would suggest.
A high res. scan of the instruments is required methinks.
jim
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If he looks like the youngest that is good news as David, chemist was the youngest b. 1839. I have scanned the instruments at 400 dpi and 600 dpi and will put up on a new thread.
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Hi..........As Prue said it only needed a tidy up.
Carolyn :)
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Carolyn you have done a beautiful job, thank you so much.
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You are welcome GKE.
Carolyn :)
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hope you dont mind
sylvia
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You have done a great job Sylvia! Wonderful that you take the time to do this for me.
Gail
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Hi Gail.....The last photo posted is my work, Sylvia private messaged me and told me she had turned the photo.
regards Carolyn :)
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Lovely to see such great restores and the work from everyone, whether restores or colours or frames. Your ancestor jumps out of the page and his time and I'm sure - being evidently of a scientific bent - he would have been amazed and pleased. I get from the image that he WAS serious and wanted posterity to take him seriously. And we do.
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That is funny Carolyn. I looked at the picture and thought it was familiar!
Gail
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I have now discovered who this ancestor is Igor. It is not David, chemist but is John Ker b. 1835 d. 1865. He was an engineer with the Royal Navy and at sea along the American coastline during the Civil War. He was discharged from service in 1863 and died at 30 years of age of phthisis at his mother's house in Hawick in 1865. His sister Helen was married to David, chemist. Amazing that you talk about how serious he is as I have 38 letters from him written to his mother, sister and brother from 1859 to 1863. They are beautifully written and filled with great detail of his life at sea. It is wonderful to now be able to put a face to these letters. One interesting note is that he thought the Confederates would win the war!
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ok ok oops here
i just had to find out what the disease is
now i know
Noun: Pulmonary tuberculosis or a similar progressive systemic disease
1.A disease characterized by the wasting away or atrophy of the body
sylvia
t.i.c
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Thank you so much for updating us, Gail, on the subject of this photograph. I suppose we were right first time, then, that the object in his hand is a telescope, and perhaps the box contains navigational instruments? The dividers would fit with this, wouldn't they.
It is sad to hear of his death at such a very young age of tuberculosis, I suppose this picture was taken comparatively soon before his death.
You're very lucky to have the letters and how fascinating they must be to read, and to be able to see the face of the man who wrote them. 38 letters AND all these fabulous photos. Gosh. :D
I showed the picture to my daughter and her first comment was about the modernity of his face, and we then pondered on how we all seem to forget that people in earlier times were indeed just like us. I'm sure his family were devastated to lose him.
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The first thing I noticed about this photo is how modern his face looks, I compared it with some of my old family photos to try and decide why. Two things I noticed
1) even before the photo was restored it somehow seemed quite sharp
2) the people in my photos who are looking at the camera give me the sense that they are looking at the camera, the gentleman in this photo seems to be looking at me! :D
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i think he is thinking
Now what are you up to
then
mum made me get a photo
sylvia
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Yes Igor, you were all right the first time regarding the instruments in the picture plus the other photo of the man in a navy jacket is also John Ker. By the time John Ker died he had lost his father at 6 years old, a sister died at 17 and a brother dying at 26. I think it is our ancestors fashion and hair styles that makes us think they do not look like us but in reality they really do.
I have typed out all of the original letters as they are over 150 years old and rather difficult to read. It took quite awhile to do but worth it.
Purplekat you are so right, he does seem to be looking at me!
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It's not a telescope - that instrument is flat, not curved :) As an engineer he would have had a set of mathematical instruments.
How wonderful to have his letters, Gail, as well as these amazing photos. You're very lucky!
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I agree how lovely to have his letters as well as amazing photos :)
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Thanks, Prue, you're quite right, when I read Gail's details about him again, I saw that he was an engineer not a sailor.
I wish we could somehow see the letters, it's just so tantalising to know that they're there. I think you will realise from people's reactions how lucky we think you are, Gail. ;D
Just off to see if I can find the other picture of him (man in the navy jacket, Gail says)
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Thank you Prue and purpleKat!
Igor, if you would like to read the letters I would be happy to share. I do have the typed copies stored on my computer which I will find and pass on to you. :)