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A crazy "WWI" studio portrait


jagjetta
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This one is a head-scratcher. It came from my late collecting buddy, Patrick Gariepy. The photo was accompanied by a 1930s VFW ticket.

Whereas the subject is posed with a load of cool equipment including a painted helmet, 1917 trench knife, French Tank School patch, etc., I don't think it is a WWI image...the feel is all wrong. In fact, it almost has a "movie still" aura about it.

 

Furthermore, when I enlarge it, the finish is almost like honeycomb. I don't know if that is a type of half-toning, or what, but it is unlike any photo finish I have ever seen.

 

I would welcome any opinions on this one.

 

JAG

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Hopefully, this image will show the "honeycomb" pattern in the emulsion:

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This is the card that came with the image. I have no idea if there is a relationship to the image, but Patrick tended to keep related materials together. :

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The "honey comb" look is common on portrait photos. My Grandpa's WWII navy portrait is on this type of stock. So that to me indicates the era. As for the subject I too think it is a movie promotional photo. Almost looks like Spencer Tracey.

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Agree it looks staged and promotional. Medals, three service chevrons, discharge chevron (?), SSI, the combat pose, etc. all suggest a costume rather than an actual veteran posing in a studio during the occupation.

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If it wasn't posed, what would the soldier be doing? Casually liberating a photographers studio?

Nice photo by the way. Would make a nice display piece for sure

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I'll bet the picture is a promo shot for the event on the ticket. The face in the picture could easily belong to a 40 year old who fought almost 20 years before in the war. He's a vet of that post, and wearing his old uniform. Think about it - Fourth of July ball - definitely appropriate for wearing the old gear.

 

 

Steve

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A copy of this just sold on ebay.

 

My impression agrees with some of the previous posts.....it strikes me as a VFW or Legion promotional photo.....but it's a good eye catcher.

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A copy of this just sold on ebay.

 

My impression agrees with some of the previous posts.....it strikes me as a VFW or Legion promotional photo.....but it's a good eye catcher.

 

I was probably the guy who bought that one....It came from my friend's collection. After he passed away, his sister began selling his photos on ebay.

 

But I remember when he first acquired it about 10 or 12 years ago. At the time, I said, "Sure looks like a movie still, Patrick." He liked it for the same reason I do...the crazy variety of gear. Patrick believed it had to do with the Veteran's Ball (ticket that came with it), though I don't think he ever uncovered any info to support it.

 

I agree with all the assessments, especially that of "a veteran wearing all his stuff" for the photo shoot. It actually looks like he is wearing SEVERAL veterans' stuff! Of course, I like the French Tank School patch that is visible (and in the correct position!) and the trench knife. So hard to find images with trench knives showing!

 

Thanks for all the input. I actually spent an hour last night researching "Spencer Tracey". I agree with the comment that this guy sure looks like him. Alas, didn't find any movie of Tracey's that would directly connect.

 

Crazy image, but it will reside in my albums of "equipment shots" Not sure that it documents anything, though, other than what someone wore for a publicity still.

 

JAG

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  • 2 weeks later...

Great foto. Here's a topic on the French patch for those unaware, don't have to tell you jagjette as you're featured prominently in it :D.

 

BTW What do you all think the shoulder patch is? I'm drawing a blank.

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/254487-french-motorized-artillery-insignia-in-the-aef/

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Hi JAG,

 

 

I don't suppose you can tell what the medallion he is wearing depicts? It seems the studio may have touched up the image and removed part of the ribbon from it (it looks odd like it was touched up).

 

RC

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world war I nerd

Patches, and all,

 

Here's an enlargement of the shoulder insignia and the closest thing I could find in regard to the shape of the image on the patch ... neither of which are a very good match.

 

Anyway, despite the image of the insignia being white, and the fact that it's also on a rectangular shaped backing cloth that is dark in color, the shape of the insignia is reminiscent of the keystone shape of the 28th Infantry Division's insignia. The shape also resembles (sort of) the Mexican water jug shape of the 34th Infantry Division's insignia.

 

Any other guesses?

 

RC, I tried to enlarge the medallion, but it just turned into an unrecognizable blur, so no ID (or guesses) on that!

 

PS, it also looks as if the guy is wearing a cammo helmet ...

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  • 4 months later...

Not exactly the same, but speaks to a certain anti-war mood in the 1930s - book cover for "War Madness" published in 1937.

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To state the obvious, the photo had to be taken after 1921 when the first victory medals were issued.

 

It probably dates well after that though. In the late 20's and 30's many veterans had a tough time making ends meet, and many resorted to panhandling. Some veterans had photos taken of them in their "war gear" to sell, and others did paid lectures for which this would have been a typical type of promo photo.

 

I would conclude that it was more likely a privately done photo rather than a promo photo for a movie studio. I would hope that a movie studio would not be so careless with uniform details if it was doing a WWI picture.

 

The lighting and composition definitely suggest a professional photographer shooting it in a studio, and back then cameras were not as readily available. Today, this would have been a selfie taken with his smartphone.

 

ww1buff

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