Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Great Grandpa the Cobbler

Ch5 Ex2 Great Grand Israel Original

Since you don't seem to mind my fascination with old family photos, I thought I'd add this one to the collection. I've posted Israel's photo before, standing in front of his house, but I like this one of him doing his thing — cobbling. You can see a boot on the floor.

There are notes on the back of the photo. I didn't know they were there because I had never removed it from the album before. I may never do it again either because it's more like paper than photo paper. He was born in Glen Roberston, died in Cashion's Glen at age 87 in 1922. He was the father of Willie, Mamie, Bertha, Charlotte (my grandmother), David, Donald, and George (2). I think that means that there were two George's, the one that died and another one. I now think that the one in the photo that I showed before must be George 2 who lived.

I have heard of the women Bertha, Charlotte, and Mamie but not very much of the men except maybe for Willie because I remember my mother referring to an Uncle Will. Other notes in the album inform that he was buried in Martintown. I went loking for tombstones in Glen Robertson once but wasn't aware of Cashion's Glen or Martintown at the time.

The version below represent my attempt at restoration. I've cropped away the missing corner, adjusted tonality somewhat, and removed some scratches.

Ch5 Ex2 Great Grand Israel After

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a marvelous picture! The lighting is just right, and I think the restoration job makes it seem like the picture was taken yesterday.

Anonymous said...

I love history. This is a great photo. Although we still have cobblers today, none like that!

Anonymous said...

Old family photos are wonderful to have access to. Enjoy seeing yours.

Gina said...

Looks good! Fascinating to see him cobbling! Is that a verb?

oshee said...

I love the details in the picture. The bench he is sitting on is amazing. The curl of the wood and the thin cushion he is sitting on. Look at the wallpaper in the background. In the uncropped photo you can see the shoes on a shelf/desk in the background. Then there is a little box on a shelf to the left of his beard. Makes me wonder what is in the box. I love this picture. I offers a peek into another time in a way so many posing in front of the house pictures don't give.

Thanks for sharing it.

Anonymous said...

What an absolutely wonderful picture! It says so much. And what character in that face.

Anonymous said...

I so enjoy the history and I love the fact that you are able to restore the photo for further safe keeping.

Cazzie!!! said...

This picture says so much more than a thousand words!!! It has such marvellous character, I coul just look at each detail for positively ages....well done on the restoration of such a great picture.
Now, when I get me a scanner I will put pics on my blog of my own great grandparents and their traditional wedding photos , her looking gorgeous and him in his WW1 Army Uniform :)

Anonymous said...

What a great photo. You did a great job restoring it too. How long did it take you to figure out photoshop? I'm starting to think I'm a slow study (like that's a surprise).

Ginnie said...

That's an amazing picture and thanks for sharing it with us, AC. You did a great restoring job but, to be honest, I prefer the sepia tone of the original...it made me feel like I was back there in that room. Don't you love the fancy wallpaper? That takes it away from just being a work room. and I love his booted feet and the way he's sitting.

Anonymous said...

Wow! You are AMAZING with photoshop.

Love the glimpse back in time.

Anvilcloud said...

Laurie: I have pecked away at Photoshop off and on for many years now. I get quite interested and play with it for a while and then find myself gravitating more to other things. By the time I get back to it I have pretty well forgotten what I knew in the first place. lol

PBS said...

Wow, that's a wonderful photo! It's cool that you were able to restore it, and that there were notes on the back!

Anonymous said...

There's an incredible wealth of character packed in that picture.

Anonymous said...

You inspire me to share some family photos as well. I will have to search the archives!

Dale said...

I love his whiskers! And you've really brought out the detail in that second pic, haven't you? Look at his shirt!

Anonymous said...

I can finally see where you get your looks from! ;-)

Anonymous said...

Not much for me to add to the other comments. Love the picture!

Debra said...

Totally incredible and fascinating photo! Loved it and I do thank you for sharing him and his story, too... Blessings, Debra

Leann said...

I so injoy your photo work.I went to a class in the 80s.I loved it.I could have lived there and worked on the pictres for days.I did some copy stand work and did a few pics for my step mom.she had one of her mom and her when she was a very little girl.she was so pleased when I gave it to her.I love to look at the old pictures cause they have so much life in them.the point of not smiling brings out the real person.what you see is what you get.a smile makes you sreach for the real person.his face speaks much of life.God bless you and please give us more I find it so interesting.thanks.

Anonymous said...

I have no old photoes of anyone from my side of the family as I was not raised by my family but by a foster family and their daughter has all the old ones from there. I love old photoes and often feel a bit of me is missing because I have not grandma's pic or anything like that.

Anonymous said...

You are so fortunate that these photos were preserved by your family so that you now can share the wonderful visage of your great grandfather. What a great job of restoration.