WWII vintage found negatives

[Time Freeze]

I had a similiar experience about 10 years ago. I went to a tag sale that was advertising as having photo equipment. When I got there I was told that a dealer had bought just about everything but there were still some darkroom stuff in the basment. I went dowstairs and on the counter was a metal index card file draw filled with 6x6 cm negatives in individual manila envelopes with a contact print attached to the outside of each envelope. There was also a box of loose negatives of various sizes. When I asked if they were for sale, I was told "Oh you can just take those". They turned out to be a treasure trove of images from the 30's to 60's, including a lot of NYC, all taken with high quality cameras. I felt like I won Lotto

I wonder how many digital images will survive?

John

 

[Muggins]

Most of it: Wednesday, November 11 194-

The last digit is too blurry. From the day of the week it must be a 2.

That would fit with the second headline - Tanks Take Oran - see here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Torch

A bit of further rummaging leads to here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vichy_France

Under "Overview" it dates the Nazi occupation of Vichy France as 11th November, so the Washington Post was right on the ball.

Fascinating stuff!

Adrian

 

[Mr_Flibble]

November 11 1942 is about right for the headline on the Allies capturing Oran.
[edit]...darn, missed Adrian's post.


Jim, thanks for posting those. I think I've mentioned this before, but it's interesting to see they removed the top bows and the windscreen of the jeep.

 

[Brad Buszard]

Third and perhaps last installment

Third and perhaps last installment

This may be it. I'll check with my wife to see if we have more squirreled away somewhere.

 

[Argenticien]

That would fit with the second headline - Tanks Take Oran - see here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Torch

LOL!! I assume it's Yanks -- not "Tanks" -- take Oran...

 

[Muggins]

I think you might be right...

Adrian

 

[Mr_Flibble]

Well, I recall a taskforce consisting of units from the 1nd Armored Division fought at Oran. Tanks will very much have been involved

[edit, should brush up on History of Operation Torch]

 

[Beverly Cruthirds]

Photo looking south

Photo looking south

the trolley shot shows the sterrick building in the left side background

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sterick_Building

the fountain where the sailor and lady have their backs to the camera is in court square - walking distance of the sterrick building and the courthouse

the military buildings / barracks could be either millington or the military hospital - the hospital is a few miles south of the sterrick and the courthouse and the totem pole - the totem pole used to be a short walk from the fountain

millington naval is roughly 15 miles north of the courthouse

Actually this is shot from about Adams or Washington Street looking toward the south. The large building visible on the left is the Lincoln American Tower, and further in the background on the left you can see the Commerce Title office building. The old Brys Department Store was torn down in the 60s to clear land for the new civic center buildings.