Help ID two photos - I think they're Edward Weston's sons

[TruthBeTold]

I'm still brand new on this site, so please bare with me.
I think I may have some rare photos by Edward Weston? Approximately 11-13 years ago, I bought a large lot of old B&W photos on eBay. I enjoyed going through them but didn't know what to do with them, so I set them aside. I recently began going through them again to see if I could solve any "mysteries", and I think I solved these two. I believe they are Zachary Cole Weston sitting on a porch in a rocker, and Laurence Neil Weston "sleeping" w/ bottle/s in hand, pipe in mouth. Both with a log-cabin type background. My guess is that Edward took the photos himself, circa 1945?

They measure a tad > 6 5/8" x 4 11/16", including the approx. 3/8" white border. They have a sort of matte finish. They're in excellent condition. The one of Neil has a small corner crease at lower left.

I've scoured the internet and could not find anything even similar to these, but I did find a couple of other old photos of each son, online. Please view my posted photos and let me know your thoughts. Thanks!

 

[MattKing]

He hasn't been here for a while, and his reception was a bit rocky, but you could try reaching out to @Kim Weston who posted here: https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/ask-a-weston.186206/

 

[Steve Goldstein]

You could also try contacting Merg Ross.

 

[MattKing]

You could also try contacting Merg Ross.

@Merg Ross would be an excellent resource on this!

 

[TruthBeTold]

Can someone tell me a different or better forum to post these to?

 

[TruthBeTold]

He hasn't been here for a while, and his reception was a bit rocky, but you could try reaching out to @Kim Weston who posted here: https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/ask-a-weston.186206/

Thanks, Mat. I did contact both Kim and Gina. Kim never got back to me, but Gina said she wasn't interested in having them.

 

[TruthBeTold]

@Merg Ross would be an excellent resource on this!

Hmmm. Why Merg Ross?

 

[TruthBeTold]

You could also try contacting Merg Ross.

Thank you for your reply, Steve. Can I ask why Merg Ross?

 

[MattKing]

Can I ask why Merg Ross?

He knows/knew the Westons personally.

 

[David Brown]

@Merg Ross would be an excellent resource on this!

Also: Alan Ross. He knew Brett Weston, and might be able to ID

 

[juan]

You can contact Merg through largeformatphotography.info
Merg was very close friends with Brett and knew the ithers.

 

[TruthBeTold]

He knows/knew the Westons personally.

Very cool to know. TY!

 

[Bill Burk]

I know a couple people on Facebook who would recognize their dads if those are pictures of them as you think. Can you post them there and share the link?

 

[Merg Ross]

Very cool to know. TY!

@Merg Ross would be an excellent resource on this!

Thanks Matt, and those who suggested that I might know.

I met Edward, along with Brett, Cole and Neil in 1948. The photos in question here are of course before that time. I would like to believe that these photos are of the two Weston sons. Perhaps they are, but I am unfamiliar with the circumstances that might justify the claim.

Why did you choose Neil as the subject? I look at Brett with his trademark pipe and consider him more likely. Cole perhaps. But then there is the eight year age gap between Brett and Cole. These photos are most likely from the 1930's, Cole born in 1919.

As to EW being the photographer, he was noted for more well composed, flattering portrait sittings. These surely fail in that respect.

Wishing you well in your search for the truth.

Merg

 

[TruthBeTold]

I know a couple people on Facebook who would recognize their dads if those are pictures of them as you think. Can you post them there and share the link?

Hi Bill,
While I appreciate the suggestion, I'd rather not post them to FB - too many fraudsters, etc. there.

 

[TruthBeTold]

Thanks Matt, and those who suggested that I might know.

I met Edward, along with Brett, Cole and Neil in 1948. The photos in question here are of course before that time. I would like to believe that these photos are of the two Weston sons. Perhaps they are, but I am unfamiliar with the circumstances that might justify the claim.

Why did you choose Neil as the subject? I look at Brett with his trademark pipe and consider him more likely. Cole perhaps. But then there is the eight year age gap between Brett and Cole. These photos are most likely from the 1930's, Cole born in 1919.

As to EW being the photographer, he was noted for more well composed, flattering portrait sittings. These surely fail in that respect.

Wishing you well in your search for the truth.

Merg

Thank you for the reply, Merg. Much appreciated.

I chose Neil only after comparing his facial features (hairline, nose, eyebrows, and ears) with other pics of him, and because I read that he is known for being photographed by his father. It very well may be Brett, too. I'm just hoping someone can positively ID them for me.