PEEL-OUT, PAUL! – DUXBURY (1971)

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The year is 1971. American Photo Colorizing offers special reduced prices for family photo colorizing. Most high school yearbook photos were black & white through the 1970s. We’re featuring several such yearbook photos over the coming week – of my own 1972 graduating class from Duxbury High School in Massachusetts. Here, one of our star athletes, Paul McGarigal poses with his muscle car (I think it was a Gran Torino) in September 1971.

BLAKEMAN’S – DUXBURY, MASSACHUSETTS

Duxbury is located north of Plymouth, and was the hometown of many of the original pilgrims who came over on the Mayflower, like Myles Standish, John Alden and Priscilla Alden. This photo of Paul was scanned from the yearbook, and only measured about 3″ across. Even at this small size, it provided a fairly clean image for colorizing. Seems like yesterday we posed for these photos.

At American Photo Colorizing, our goal is to shred the black & white veil that separates us from the exciting, vibrant lives of those who came before us. It’s time to “Go Color” with your vintage and antique family photos.

Remember . . . your ancestors are counting on YOU!

GERONIMO!

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The year is 1886. The legend of Geronimo really begins in 1858, when Mexican soldiers led by Colonel Jose Maria Carrasco attacked the Apaches, murdering Geronimo’s wife, mother and children. Upon discovering his slain family, Geronimo became determined to seek revenge. He was an intelligent and brave fighter, who successfully thwarted Mexican and U.S. troops for three decades.

Geronimo surrendered to General Nelson A. Miles on September 4, 1886. He was the last native chief to surrender. Our featured photo of Geronimo was likely taken shortly after his surrender. General Miles called Geronimo “one of the brightest, most resolute, determined-looking men I have ever encountered.”

Here’s an unexpected tidbit about Geronimo’s latter years. According to “Geronimo, His Own Story”, published by Ballantine Books, Geronimo wrote the following, “I have adopted the Christian religion. I believe that the church has helped me much during the short time I have been a member. I am not ashamed to be a Christian, and I am glad to know that the President of the United States is a Christian, for without the help of the Almighty I do not think he could rightly judge in ruling so many people. I have advised all of my people who are not Christians, to study that religion, because it seems to me the best religion in enabling one to live right.”

We’ve featured just a few moments from the life of Geronimo, to provide a little background for today’s photo. His was a fascinating life, and a tragic one in so many ways. It is only fitting that he be remembered in full-color.

At American Photo Colorizing, our goal is to shred the black & white veil that separates us from the exciting, vibrant lives of those who came before us. It’s time to “Go Color” with your vintage and antique family photos.

Remember . . . your ancestors are counting on YOU!

TOPPER RETURNS (1854)

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The year is 1854. Topper returns in this wonderful daguerreotype photo. This gent must be wearing what was considered “GQ” in his day. And just moments later, he paid the photographer, walked through the front door of his establishment – and out into a world of horse-drawn carriages, gas lamps, and more fellows in top hats.

The Republican Party was founded in America this year – and it’s easy to imagine them adjourning the meeting and declaring a 30-day recess.

The Boston Public Library opened on March 20, 1854. The Crimean War began a week later, as the United Kingdom and France declared war on Russia. In London, a cholera epidemic killed 10,000 citizens. The U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis graduated its first class, and the American composer and music conductor, John Philip Souza was born.

So, life went on just as it does 160 years later – the best of times and the worst of times, as Charles Dickens would say.

At American Photo Colorizing, our goal is to shred the black & white veil that separates us from the exciting, vibrant lives of those who came before us. It’s time to “Go Color” with your vintage and antique family photos. Remember . . . your ancestors are counting on YOU!

GIRL & TUDOR HOUSE (1900)

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The year is 1900. Something tells me this photo may have been taken in England, rather than the United States. It could be the English garden, or the English Tudor home. Then again, it might just be Dayton, Ohio. The original is scratched, pockmarked – even a bit blurry – it’s also more elongated than our standard photo dimensions – so, I added scenery on the right side of my colorized version to bring the size into conformity. Despite the damage to be repaired, and the alterations, I think it turned out just fine – a nice representation of Victorian country life at the turn of the 20th century.

Brnging color back to historical moments and times long ago is why American Photo Colorizing was founded, established, institutionalized (???) . . . Our goal is to shred the black & white veil that separates us from the exciting, vibrant lives of those who came before us. It’s time to “Go Color” with your vintage and antique family photos. Remember . . . your ancestors are counting on YOU!

BRONX BOMBER, JOE LOUIS (1942)

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The year is 1942. Joe Louis – the Bronx Bomber was without question, the greatest boxer of the 20th century. Great in the ring. Great outside the ring. He was the reigning heavy-weight champ from 1937 to 1949. His greatest victory came on June 22, 1938 in a rematch with German boxer, Max Schmeling at New York’s Yankee Stadium.

Adolph Hitler was once again using sports to prove the superiority of the German Aryans – apparently not learning his lesson after black American track & field star, Jesse Owens won 4 gold medals in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Anti-Nazi fervor was running high, and all America was looking to Joe to settle the score. The bout was more about Democracy vs. The Third Reich than about Louis and Schmeling.

It took the Bronx Bomber all of 124 seconds to win a first round TKO. Joe Louis became an instant national hero, loved by all Americans, regardless of nationality. When World War II broke out, Joe enlisted in the Army – putting on boxing exhibitions to help build the morale of the troops. Here then, is Joe Louis, in uniform back in 1942. A true American hero who looks even better in full-color.

At American Photo Colorizing, our goal is to shred the black & white veil that separates us from the exciting, vibrant lives of those who came before us. It’s time for you to “Go Color” with your antique family photos. Remember . . . your ancestors are counting on YOU!

LINCOLN FUNERAL PROCESSION (1865)

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The year is 1865. This is Abraham Lincoln’s funeral procession, as it winds down Broadway in New York City on April 25th. The red house on the corner belonged to Cornelius van Schaack Roosevelt, grandfather of future U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt.

Now, if you’ll turn your attention to the second-story window at the side of the red house – you’ll see two little boys watching the proceedings below. They happen to be 6 1/2 year-old Teddy Roosevelt (right) and his 5 year-old brother, Elliot.

In the 1950s, Stefan Lorant came upon the photo while conducting research for a book on Abraham Lincoln . He asked Edith Roosevelt about it.

She replied, ““Yes, I think that is my husband, and next to him his brother,” she exclaimed. “That horrible man! I was a little girl then and my governess took me to Grandfather Roosevelt’s house on Broadway so I could watch the funeral procession. But as I looked down from the window and saw all the black drapings I became frightened and started to cry. Theodore and Elliott were both there. They didn’t like my crying. They took me and locked me in a back room. I never did see Lincoln’s funeral”. (Source: National Archives)

Now, the original photograph wasn’t crisp enough to create a realistic colorized image, so it has shades of a painting about it. But, it’s such an historic photo, I couldn’t resist giving it the best color treatment possible. I also took the liberty of removing the black funeral bunting from under the front windows on the second-story, as they weren’t clearly-defined, and distracted from the appearance of the house. Still, for what it is, I’m happy.

At American Photo Colorizing.com, Our goal is to shred the black & white veil that separates us from the exciting, vibrant lives of those who came before us. It’s time for you to “Go Color” with your antique family photos. Remember . . . your ancestors are counting on YOU!

* Just in case there are one or two of you who weren’t aware of this – the Teddy Bear was named for Teddy Roosevelt.

AMAZIN’ CASEY STENGEL (1915)

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The year is 1915. The Brooklyn Dodgers outfielder is Charles Dillon Stengel, better known to New York fans as “Casey” Stengel – then a lad of just 25 years. I say this because Casey always looked “old”. He was dubbed “The Old Perfessor” at the ripe old age of 24. His major league career stretched from 1912 to 1965. Casey Stengel is an American “original”. There’s never been anyone in baseball quite like him – and no way to do justice to this baseball icon in just a few paragraphs.

Playing for Pittsburgh in 1919 against his former Dodgers teammates – Casey came to bat amid the roar of heckling Brooklyn fans. Not one to be discouraged, Casey turned to the crowd, doffed his cap, and out flew a sparrow! The jeers turned to cheers, and Casey’s reputation for the unexpected was born.

But, Casey’s real legend was as manager of the New York Yankees (1949-1960) and the Amazin’ Mets (1962-65). The Old Perfessor led the Yankees to 5 straight World Series Championships. In 1962 he returned to baseball after a two-year retirement, to manage the irrepressible New York Mets – the losingest team in baseball.

In their first season, 1962, “The Amazins” won 40 games, while losing 120. Casey, in his usual bemused manner, told sports reporters, “I’ve been in this game a hundred years, but I see new ways to lose I never knew existed before”. And yet, The Mets became New York’s lovable underdogs. Their fans packed the Polo Grounds in 1962-63, and later, at Shea Stadium. They came with horns. They came with colorful banners that lined the park. It was a three-ring circus, with Casey as ringmaster.

In the New York area, Casey was a celebrity. Casey’s witticisms were known as “Stengelese” – and they filled the sports pages. He was a sports editor’s dream. So, here’s a tip of the cap (sans sparrow) to one of the most colorful characters of major league baseball lore.

Casey was your grandfather – IF your grandfather was Popeye the Sailor Man. The resemblance was uncanny.

“Colorful characters” like Casey Stengel are just one reason why American Photo Colorizing was founded, established, institutionalized (???) . . . Our goal is to shred the black & white veil that separates us from the exciting, vibrant lives of those who came before us. It’s time to “Go Color” with your vintage and antique family photos. Remember . . . your ancestors are counting on YOU!

IN OTHER NEWS: We had a big party this week to celebrate David’s birthday. Here’s a pic of Sales Exec, Sally Maynard smashing a chocolate cream pie in David’s face. We really know how to have a party here at American Photo Colorizing.com!

ORIGINAL “TEDDY BEAR” (1890)

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The year is 1890. Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt’s exploits were as thrilling as the legends attributed to him. He organized the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War. He was the cowboy of the Dakotas – who became Governor of New York, and President of the United States. He “spoke softly and carried a big stick”. Theodore Roosevelt was a larger than life American icon who will forever be remembered as a real “Teddy Bear”. And a big part of his “larger than life-ness” was that he lived life in Full-Color. Now, a figure as bold and colorful as Teddy deserves to be remembered in color. Makes sense, right? As Teddy himself would say, “Bully!”.

That’s why American Photo Colorizing was founded, established, institutionalized . . . Our goal is to shred the black & white veil that separates us from the exciting, vibrant lives of those who came before us. It’s time for you to “Go Color” with your antique family photos. Remember . . . your ancestors are counting on YOU!

* Just in case there are one or two of you who weren’t aware of this – the Teddy Bear was named for Teddy Roosevelt.

CIVIL WAR – BATTLE OF BULL RUN (1861)

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The year is 1861. Here is the “Stone House” at Manassas, Virginia. It served as a field hospital during the First Battle of Bull Run in 1861 and the Second Battle of Bull Run in 1862. Built in 1848, The Stone House was the home of farmer, Henry P. Matthew and his family.

The First Battle of Bull Run broke out on the farm of Matthew’s neighbor, Wilmer McLean. At the time, McLean’s home served as the headquarters of Confederate Brigadier General Beauregard. During the battle, a Union shell actually came down the chimney, landing in the fireplace.

In the spring of 1863, McLean packed up his family and moved south to the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia. Incredibly, in April 1865, General Lee surrendered to General Grant in the parlor of Wilmer McLean’s new home. Following the surrender ceremony, the soldiers in attendance glommed every piece of furniture in the room as souvenirs – shoving dollar bills into the protesting McLean’s hands.

Apparently, this was the last straw for Wilmer McLean, who packed up his family once more – and returned to his home in Manassas. He has been quoted as saying, “The war began in my front yard and ended in my front parlor”. Amazing, but true!

CIVIL WAR – HARPERS FERRY (1861)

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The year is 1861. It’s the first year of the American Civil War, and we find a soldier of the 22nd NY State Militia standing guard in Harpers Ferry, Virginia. American Photo Colorizing transforms the yellowed, scratchy daguerreotype photos of the war between the states into modern HD-quality digital images. We recreate the colors of this truly colorful era of American History.