Cool old picture

[Nat]

Found this today - the ideal breakfast?

[darkwaterdevil]

looks to clear to be an old pic. but it is cool

[Uncle Vanya]

looks to clear to be an old pic. but it is cool

How's that?

Snap shots taken by cheap "Brownie" box cameras can be pretty poor, but professionals and advanced amateurs have been able to take extremely clear photographs for more than a century. Some time ago I used photographs taken by the Detroit Photographic Company (for postcards) as walldecor. I had the Library of Congress' scans of the original Detroit negatives enlarged to 3' x 5' size. These pictures were still crystal clear, even at that great enlargement. Not unexpected, since the original negatives were 11" x 17"!

This appears to be a professional photograph. the gray scale suggests an old Orthochromatic film, not one of Panchromatic elmulsions which have been universal for the past half-century or more.

Nice shot of a VV 2-60 in action!

[estott]

That is actor Lew Ayres. He's best remembered for his starring role in the 1930 picture All Quiet on the western Front: he also starred in several Dr Kildare films.

[David Spanovich]

Thanks for posting that. I recognized Lew Ayres right away. He had a long and very interesting career, and his life was not without controversy.

I've always considered the VV-2-60 to be one of the handsomest portables on the market, and have always wanted one. Unfortunately, these seldom turn up in very good condition. Of the dozen or so I've come across in the past 30 years, the tonearm's back bracket and the gold colored (plated?) #4 sound box were cracked and damaged beyond repair. (Good luck finding an authentic replacement.)

If only Victor had used the same case and textured fabric coverings for the VV-2-55 portable instead of that ugly crinkle gold paint... (Just my opinion, of course. I know of one or two collectors who love the look of the 2-55.)

DS

BTW, if you've never seen "All Quiet on the Western Front," you haven't lived a full life.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufaQuJGRGh8[/youtube]

[Victrolaman]

Thanks for posting the movie, I will watch that tonight. One of the best films ever

[Nat]

It was one of the great films! And Ayres had a very interesting life. A confirmed pacifist, he stood up for his beliefs all his life - admirable man. I dodn't realize that was him in the photo.

I've got a 2-60 - and they are amazing, though I find the motor underpowered.

nat

[ewok]

I read a review mentioning that many actors in "All Quiet on the Western Front" were WW1 veterans.
Did Ayres also fight in the war "Over There" in 1918? (He looked too young to be in that war!)

It was one of the great films! And Ayres had a very interesting life. A confirmed pacifist, he stood up for his beliefs all his life - admirable man. I dodn't realize that was him in the photo.

I've got a 2-60 - and they are amazing, though I find the motor underpowered.

nat

[estott]

I read a review mentioning that many actors in "All Quiet on the Western Front" were WW1 veterans.
Did Ayres also fight in the war "Over There" in 1918? (He looked too young to be in that war!)

No- Ayres was born in 1908- he would have been far too young to enlist.

[doublemike]

Just a simple effect obtained with a software... Impressive! ooops... ImpressIONISTive...!