Can Anyone Identify This Man?

This is probably a long shot, but I found a very old photograph of an older gentleman hidden behind a random American Indian-style drawing that had been sent to someone with a cryptic message.

"A get well painting of your old friend, with lots of love + kisses from Denise."

Now, the picture on view wasn't a painting, and the hidden photograph obviously wasn't either, so what were they referring to? Why was this picture hidden? Why after all these years was the picture still hidden in the back? I had to cut some paper off of the back to get it out, and that piece of paper had the message on. For whatever reason, the person who received this drawing didn't bother to look in the back of it.

The original drawing was basically garbage, by the way. It had no value whatsoever. In fact, it looked as if it had been printed out of a computer. Clearly the drawing was unimportant and only meant to conceal this photograph

The photograph looks to be from the early era of photography. Here it is:

 

The features aren't very clear in the photo. Can you get a more clearly focused one?

It's not unusual for old photos to be used as sort of a backing board for something newer. Usually whoever did that did not put much value in the older photo. Sometimes they have been found to be more valuable than what they were backing.

Is the mat around the photo attached to the photo? Is the photo mounted on a card? If the mat is not attached to the photo, can you show the photo without the mat? Is there any photographer's studio name present? And, what are the dimensions of this?

 

He looks like an old sea captain.

 

@Figtree3 The photo isn't "mounted" on card, per se. It is in a card frame, and you can take it out. I have had a good look at it and even given it a little sniff, and you can tell that this photo is very old indeed. There doesn't appear to be any studios and such mentioned anywhere.

The dimensions are roughly 6.5" up and 4.5" across.

Will taking it out and holding it damage the photo at all?

 

Handling the photo should not damage it if you make sure to hold it by the edges and not to touch the image with your fingers if you can help it. Your fingers won't immediately damage it but oils from your skin can sometimes. Oh, and wash your hands before handling it.

 

Hi,
You never know. A "painting" in a wonderful frame sat in antique booth for 4 years. I hated the "painting" but loved the frame. The crazy lady was asking 400 for the "painting"
The crazy old lady went to the nursing home. Her grandson took over. He dropped the price to 50 dollars. Still no takers.
He dropped the price to 25 dollars which is what the frame was worth. I bought it. The "painting" was a 1921 magazine cover of a Turner. Under it was a 1908 photograph of Niagara Falls. The original owner thought the painting was nicer than the photograph. I sold the photograph for 300 bucks, through the "painting" into the recycling box and hung my prized Brooklyn Bridge Opening invitation in the frame. I was happy.
greg

 

@gregsglass Wow, I hope I have that kind of luck!

It seems my situation is more common than I thought.....

 

Seafaring was tough and rough. He might be 23.

 

Many old men look generic

 

in front of him looks like the top of a newsboy cap AKA 8/4 (8 panel) cap or gatsby cap. They are sewed from the top in with what looks like slices of pie with a button in the middle.

Then again it might be a big round of bread, French boule, German or Austria bread?

--- Susan

 

See if you can get a pipe collector to guess when that style of pipe first appeared.

 

Reminds me somewhat of Mr. R.V. Winkle who I think lived in New York State.

 

santa out of uniform

 

Looks a bit like Richard Attenborough. Any old guy with a beard. LOL