Old Print

ced · Nov 12, 2018

Looks like an albumen print, very yellow in parts, quite glossy and flimsy paper base. Paper size 9X12cm+/-
Perhaps someone recognises the types of uniform & radio equipment that may put a picture like story to this photo & date it.

Ian Grant · Nov 12, 2018

Albumen prints aren't glossy, it's most likely a sepia toned silver gelatin print on single weight (that's quite thin) paper. It maybe a poorly fixed and washed print there were some like that in my Grand-mothers cellar rather than sepia toned. The sophistication of the radio equipment may indicate late 1930's and maybe even the phony war era after Hitler had invaded Poland and war had been declared in Europe.

It'll be a contact print from a 9x12 camera.

In my youth I trained as an army signals instructor which is why I think the equipment is roughly early WWII era or not long before.

Ian

MattKing · Nov 12, 2018

The wine bottle flower vase makes it seem unlikely that this is a military scene.
I might guess something like an aeronautics event.

Pentode · Nov 12, 2018

All the vacuum tubes (valves for those of you across the water) in that equipment are globe types. That suggests to me that this could be earlier than late thirties.

Bill Burk · Nov 12, 2018

MattKing said:
The wine bottle flower vase makes it seem unlikely that this is a military scene.
I might guess something like an aeronautics event.

Or a staged photo where all the gear is surplus cobbled together for a pose?

It’s so intriguing. I’d love to have a photo like this of me and a buddy.

The wires look expertly connected though. And there is a aerial line. So probably not fake.

ced · Nov 13, 2018

Thanks to those chipping in thus far.
Maybe someone may recognise the uniforms (army or other and nationality). Let's let it ride to see what else is coughed up.

AgX · Nov 13, 2018

The wireless sets got peculiar dials. I found the same dial at a transmitter system from the french manufacturer STM called Magunna.

AgX · Nov 13, 2018

In any case it is radio technology of WWI.
Found another french manufacturer employing kind of such dial, thus likely they are french apparatus.

juan · Nov 13, 2018

The tubes look like some I have from the mid-20s.

Old Print

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