Old, faded, crumpled up photos – back to new!
‘The Warmest Greetings From Herne, Sends You Jesse’ Before
‘The Warmest Greetings From Herne Sends You Jesse’ After
‘Mother in 1960’ Before
‘Mother in 1960’ After
‘1959’ Before
‘1959’ After
‘1958’ Before
‘1958’ After
Early 1900s Original
Early 1900s Coloured and Repaired
1960s Original
1960s Coloured
1940s Partial Repair and Coloured
1940s Original
Ron & Sid at Big Tony’s Annual Gathering. 1958 (Restored)
Ron & Sid at Big Tony’s Annual Gathering. 1958 (Original)
The Flower Girls. Or Happy For Her – 1959 If there is something that radiates through the many years that have gone between when this Picture was taken and today, its the two girls’ pride. They’re proud of the bride, proud of the roles they landed themselves in this big day. Of course, the older girl’s smile is a little bit more tired…a little bit wiser. Her younger friend can’t help but beam from ear to ear. Perhaps it was her big day after all.
The Flower Girls. Or Happy For Her – 1959 If there is something that radiates through the many years that have gone between when this Picture was taken and today, its the two girls’ pride. They’re proud of the bride, proud of the roles they landed themselves in this big day. Of course, the older girl’s smile is a little bit more tired…a little bit wiser. Her younger friend can’t help but beam from ear to ear. Perhaps it was her big day after all.
This picture is from my private collection. I’d been postponing restoring it as I was always so struck by her facial expression. So confident – gazing directly at the camera. As if she’s been posing for photograps all her life. Doesn’t seem more than 22/23 years old. And by the looks of her clothes, doesn’t belong to any high social class. If that was the case, she would have used her clothes and composure to tell that story. I imagine her makeup would also have been more pronounced, which it wasn’t, if it was even there at all. I decided to keep it that way during the restoration process. That’s what’s so notable about this woman, she seems so humble, yet carries herself so well. Happy to be remembered in this way through this one photograph. I guess that’s why her innate beauty shines through so effortlessly. Her name was Lourdes (or Lodres, at least that’s what’s scribbled on the back of the postcard). The photo was taken on the 19th of June 1916 at the Ideal Studio in London. I wonder if she lived as happy a life as she deserved.
This picture is from my private collection. I’d been postponing restoring it as I was always so struck by her facial expression. So confident – gazing directly at the camera. As if she’s been posing for photograps all her life. Doesn’t seem more than 22/23 years old. And by the looks of her clothes, doesn’t belong to any high social class. If that was the case, she would have used her clothes and composure to tell that story. I imagine her makeup would also have been more pronounced, which it wasn’t, if it was even there at all. I decided to keep it that way during the restoration process. That’s what’s so notable about this woman, she seems so humble, yet carries herself so well. Happy to be remembered in this way through this one photograph. I guess that’s why her innate beauty shines through so effortlessly. Her name was Lourdes (or Lodres, at least that’s what’s scribbled on the back of the postcard). The photo was taken on the 19th of June 1916 at the Ideal Studio in London. I wonder if she lived as happy a life as she deserved.
At my great aunt’s – A million and one thoughts raced through my head while working on this restoration. This must have been the most prevailing one; What would the family dynamics have been like back then? Decades after this photo was taken, I would be born into this family. I would grow up playing in that same sitting room. I would get to know much older versions of most of the people in this photograph. But I would never get to meet my great-grandparents. I only did so through this one picture. It’s amusing for me to think that for them at that instant, this was once the present – and it was all that mattered.
At my great aunt’s – A million and one thoughts raced through my head while working on this restoration. This must have been the most prevailing one; What would the family dynamics have been like back then? Decades after this photo was taken, I would be born into this family. I would grow up playing in that same sitting room. I would get to know much older versions of most of the people in this photograph. But I would never get to meet my great-grandparents. I only did so through this one picture. It’s amusing for me to think that for them at that instant, this was once the present – and it was all that mattered.
Paċi u Sliem – David Azzopardi is a national treasure. A man of iconic stature not only in Maltese folklore but also through his work in the social sector, he is loved by many. Back in the 1970s he wrote three long-play albums worth of songs comprised of heartfelt odes to the all the free, simple things that made life good. This was the basic, common theme in most all of his songs. Christmas cribs, rubble walls, rainy days and pastizzi. A preacher who was never preachy, he communicates his faith through his infectious tunes and simple but masterfully crafted reflections about everyday things. In this image, my father is standing on the far right of the screen. Fr, David Azzopardi, the man who taught him guitar, at centre stage.
Paċi u Sliem – David Azzopardi is a national treasure. A man of iconic stature not only in Maltese folklore but also through his work in the social sector, he is loved by many. Back in the 1970s he wrote three long-play albums worth of songs comprised of heartfelt odes to the all the free, simple things that made life good. This was the basic, common theme in most all of his songs. Christmas cribs, rubble walls, rainy days and pastizzi. A preacher who was never preachy, he communicates his faith through his infectious tunes and simple but masterfully crafted reflections about everyday things. In this image, my father is standing on the far right of the screen. Fr, David Azzopardi, the man who taught him guitar, at centre stage.
Sandra Davis – A very young Sandra Davis in character as Dora – a character written by Lino Grech, an as yet unparalleled figure in the local stage and drama scene. This photograph was, in fact, taken to promote F’Baħar Wieħed, the first Maltese soap opera to air on local stations back in the 1970s. It boasted an impressive cast of veteran stage actors of the time such as Lino himself, Gemma Portelli, Ines Farrugia, Josephine Zammit Cordina, Jane Marshall and Carmen Azzopardi amongst others. This photo was brought along by Ms.Davis herself for a filmed interview myself and my friend and frequent collaborator Jonathan Camilleri conducted with her about her recollections from the F’Baħar Wieħed days. It struck me as an exceptional portrait. Not only does the photo represent the character Dora, which as I could gather was its true purpose, it does an equally good job depicting Sandra, an immensely graceful woman threading her first decisive steps into public consciousness. And still going strong today.
Sandra Davis – A very young Sandra Davis in character as Dora – a character written by Lino Grech, an as yet unparalleled figure in the local stage and drama scene. This photograph was, in fact, taken to promote F’Baħar Wieħed, the first Maltese soap opera to air on local stations back in the 1970s. It boasted an impressive cast of veteran stage actors of the time such as Lino himself, Gemma Portelli, Ines Farrugia, Josephine Zammit Cordina, Jane Marshall and Carmen Azzopardi amongst others. This photo was brought along by Ms.Davis herself for a filmed interview myself and my friend and frequent collaborator Jonathan Camilleri conducted with her about her recollections from the F’Baħar Wieħed days. It struck me as an exceptional portrait. Not only does the photo represent the character Dora, which as I could gather was its true purpose, it does an equally good job depicting Sandra, an immensely graceful woman threading her first decisive steps into public consciousness. And still going strong today.
mikiel 
I saw those photos already on facebook but again I must say great job Mikiel! 🙂
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Thankyou for the kind comment Wioletta. I really appreciate your support.
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