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Glass Plates

Some years ago my wife Karen started collecting glass plate negatives, finding them in junk shops and latterly in auctions. A handful grew into around a thousand or so which I am gradually scanning, gently restoring when needed and adding to the collection. This is obviously a time consuming process so I expect to be working on this for a very long time.

Many of the plates are from press archives and are in a poor state, probably from being processed in a rush and perhaps not being fully washed so the images could be rushed to print and so make a deadline. Some have extended captions which have been taken from the original typewritten notes that accompany the plates and provide a fascinating window to the past.

If you wish to you use one or more of these images I would carry out a sympathetic restoration before distribution.

Friday, 25 February 2022

The Television Monocle has arrived

A miniature television screen - a "television monocle" it is described by the maker, His Master Voice - has been produced as an equivalent of the old head-phones of crystal radio set days and is having its first showing at the radio exhibition, Olympia, London. Perfected to prove that big screens are not essential for television reception, the monocle resembles a telephone microphone. It weighs slightly less than two pounds and the viewer holds it against the side of the head. An earpiece for sound covers the ear, while through the eyepiece, held before the eyes, a television screen two-inches wide gives a perfect detailed picture. The instrument can be used in a lighted room.
Image ID: Glass-Plate-V750-0104.jpg
Image ID: Glass-Plate-V750-0105.jpg

Post office introduces new telephones.

Two new telephone models of the hand-microphone type which are shortly to be introduced by the Post Office were shown at the General Post Office headquarters building in St.Martin's-le-Grand, EC. One of the models has a base which contains the bell and the other has been designed to meet cases where it is desired to leave the top of a desk entirely free, the telephone being hung in a convenient position in the kneehole of the desk. PHOTO SHOWS:- The Hand Microphone telephone which has the bell enclosed in the base. September 21st 1938.
Image ID: Glass-Plate-V750-0106.jpg

Warship launched at Southampton

The new escort vessel H.M.S. "Pelican" was launched at the yards of Messrs. John I. Thorneycroft and Company Limited at Southampton. The ceremony was performed by Mrs. Raymond Rogers, daughter of Rear-Admiral J.A.Edgell, hydrographer of the Royal Navy. The "Pelican" is a vessel of 1,100 tons and was laid down in September 1937 under the 1937 programme. PHOTO SHOWS:- The "Pelican" taking the water. September 12th 1938.
Image ID: Glass-Plate-V750-0107.jpg

Beauty to scale

Reminiscent of Cowes at its best is this scene on the pond at Clapham Common as a race of the Clapham Model Yachting Club takes place under a sky filled with beautiful clouds. August 21st 1938.
Image ID: Glass-Plate-V750-0108.jpg

New telephone which fits under the desl

Two new telephone models of the hand-microphone type which are shortly to be introduced by the Post Office were shown at the General Post Office headquarters building in St.Martin's-le-Grand, EC. One of the models has a base which contains the bell and the other has been designed to meet cases where it is desired to leave the top of a desk entirely free, the telephone being hung in a convenient position in the kneehole of the desk. PHOTO SHOWS:- The new under-the-desk model showing how the dial pulls out. September 21st 1938.
Image ID: Glass-Plate-V750-0109.jpg

Winston Churchill uses lapel-microphone to dictate while walking

Because he has a habit of walking about the room while dictating his numerous literary works, Mr.Winston Churchill, Britain's statesman-writer, is now experimenting with a lapel microphone. This microphone, which fits on toy the coat-lapel, is connected by a length of wire to a dictating machine. Whilst allowing Mr.Churchiull complete freedom of movement, it picks up his speech which is recorded on a disk for his secretaries to transcribe. The apparatus is the only one of its kind in the work, and was built especially for Mr.Churchill, at a cost of £230. It has just been installed at his country home, Chartwell Manor, Westerham, Kent. PHOTO SHOWS:- A technician testing the apparatus after installing it in Mr.Winston Churchill's study at Chartwell Manor, Westerham, Kent.
Image ID: Glass-Plate-V750-0110.jpg
Image ID: Glass-Plate-V750-0111.jpg

Londoner celebrates 107th birthday

Known as "Grand-dad" to all his friends, Mr William Capel is celebrating his 107th birthday at the West Ham Central Home. Mr.Capel began work at the age of 10, and he attributes his longevity to hard work. PHOTO SHOWS:- Mr. Henry Parkinson, himself an nonagenarian, calls in to congratulate Mr.William Capel (in bed) on his birthday. August 22nd 1938.
Image ID: Glass-Plate-V750-0112.jpg
Image ID: Glass-Plate-V750-0113.jpg

Captains of U.S. Warships call on Lord Mayor of Portsmouth

The captains of the United States cruisers "Nashville" and "honolulu" were received by the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Councillor F.J.Spickernell when they made a courtesy call at the Guildhall, Portsmouth, after their arrival on a surprise informal visit. Belonging to the new 10,000 tons Brooklyn class, the warships are on shakedown cruise immediately after commissioning. PHOTO SHOWS:- The Lord Mayor of Portsmouth Councillor F.J.Spickernell, bidding goodbye to Captain Oscar Smith of the 'Honolulu' (left) and Captain W.W.Wilson of the 'Nashville' (right) as they left the Guildhall after their visit. September 22nd 1938
Image ID: Glass-Plate-V750-0114.jpg
Image ID: Glass-Plate-V750-0115.jpg

London Woman to Conduct Boston Symphony Orchestra

Miss Averil Coleridge-Tyler, daughter of the famous composer, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, is shortly to leave for America to conduct the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Miss Coleridge-Taylor was the first woman to be invited to conduct a band of the Royal Marines. PHOTO SHOWS:- Miss Averil Coleridge-Taylor at the piano at her London home. August 24th 1938.
Image ID: Glass-Plate-V750-0116.jpg
Image ID: Glass-Plate-V750-0117.jpg

Bride arrives late for wedding to Lord Dunsany's heir

The Hon.Randal Plunket only son and heir of Lord Dunsany, the writer, was married to Mrs.Vera Bryce, formerly Miss Vera de la Settomaier, at Caxton Hall Register Office. Mr.Plunket is 31 and was in the Guides Cavalry, Indian Army. His bride is four years younger. The bride was an hour late in arriving at the register office and the ceremony was further delayed for the arrival of important papers. PHOTO SHOWS:- The bride arriving at Caxton Hall..
Image ID: Glass-Plate-V750-0118.jpg

U.S.S. Nashville.

Image ID: Glass-Plate-V750-0119.jpg
Image ID: Glass-Plate-V750-0120.jpg
Image ID: Glass-Plate-V750-0121.jpg

Strangest battleship ever built launched at Chatham

The queerest battleship ever built was launched at Chatham Dockyard. It is the H.M.S.Challenger which has been built to carry out a scheme in Arctic waters of finding new fishing grounds for trawler fleets. The work of her surveying and fishing experts may revolutionise the fishing industry. A modern laboratory has been equipped for the experts. PHOTO SHOWS:- HMS Challenger being prepared for launching at Chatham. 1932
Image ID: Glass-Plate-V750-0122.jpg

Strangest battleship ever built launched at Chatham

The queerest battleship ever built was launched at Chatham Dockyard. It is the H.M.S.Challenger which has been built to carry out a scheme in Arctic waters of finding new fishing grounds for trawler fleets. The work of her surveying and fishing experts may revolutionise the fishing industry. A modern laboratory has been equipped for the experts. PHOTO SHOWS:- HMS Challenger being prepared for launching at Chatham. 1932
Image ID: Glass-Plate-V750-0123.jpg