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Museums and history books are rife with black and white photos giving us glimpses into the past. But these monochromatic images lack the color and vibrancy that make us connect to them on a deeper level. Now imagine those black and white photos bursting into color, revealing the rich fabrics of Norwegian folk dresses, the intricate embroidery of Eastern European schools, and the weathered wooden shoes of Dutch farmers. These 34 beautifully colorized photographs take you on a journey from English milk sellers making their rounds to Turkish merchants in bustling marketplaces. Suddenly, you can see the vibrant reds of traditional German dirndls and the deep blues of Mediterranean fishing boats. It's like taking a world tour through time, where every culture's unique beauty – from clothing to crafts to daily life – comes alive in stunning detail.
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#1
Father And Child In Norway, Unknown Year
Forrest Hobbs 6 months ago
I love the photo, but I'm not totally convinced by the colouring of child's cheeks... 😁 (and you do have to wonder if that's grandad, not dad)
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#3
Milksellers, Brussels, Belgium, C. 1890
Forrest Hobbs 6 months ago
Mmm - those dogs look like good protection as well as good for pulling the cart. Gorgeously coloured scene.
#5
A Yeoman Of The Guard (Beefeater), London, England, C. 1890
Brandi VanSteenwyk 6 months ago
What's with the frequently, overly-pink (IMO) cheeks on these photos?
#7
Anonymous Photograph Of A Peranakan Bride And Groom Dated 30 May 1939, The Intan, Singapore
Forrest Hobbs 6 months ago
Two thoughts struck me: she looks *way* out of his league 😉. And - oh, Singapore, 1939. One has to hope they survived the next few years. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_occupation_of_Singapore
#9
A Girl Of Grodenthal, Tyrol, Austro-Hungary, C. 1890
#10
Man In Llangollen, Wales, C. 1890
Forrest Hobbs 6 months ago (edited)
There are newer buildings but some of those pictured remain; the landscape's the same and the bridge is still there. That's a coracle on his back. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coracle. Following photo from Wikipedia. Also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Llangollen
#11
Cook In The Rue De Stamboul, Constantinople, Turkey, C. 1890
#12
Bedouin Beggars And Children, Tunis
Forrest Hobbs 6 months ago
Looking at the background, I reckon that's a studio photograph with a painted backdrop. A fine photo, though.
#13
Traveling By Reindeer, C. 1890
#15
A Bedouin Woman, Tunis, 1899
#16
Native Children, Marken Island, Holland, C. 1890
Forrest Hobbs 6 months ago
While it's accurate, seeing "native children" applied to Dutch kids does seem faintly ridiculous. 😂 (also, I doubt their clothes had such vibrant colours in real life - the dyes were almost certainly all natural in 1890)
#22
Welsh Spinners And Spinning Wheel, Wales, C. 1890
Forrest Hobbs 6 months ago
Now I understand how the Welsh women beat the French at the Battle of Fishguard (allegedly, anyway): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jemima_Nicholas (Jemima Fawr - I think that translates either to Jemima the Great, or possibly Big Jemima )
#25
Waiting For A Job (Donkeys), England, C. 1890
#26
Windsor, Boulter's Lock, London And Suburbs, England, C. 1890
Forrest Hobbs 6 months ago (edited)
The river's the Thames - you'd've thought the caption would mention that 😁. Boulter's Lock is well upstream of Windsor (further from London); Windsor has never been a London suburb. Anyway: I think that's the current lock - built in the 1820s. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boulter%27s_Lock#History
#27
Juifs De Jérusalem, C.1900
Brandi VanSteenwyk 6 months ago
They appear so sad and forlorn. I would love to know the context.
#30
A Family Of Sámi People In Front Of Their Lavvu, Norway C. 1900
#32
Girls In Native Costume, Carniola, Austro-Hungary, C. 1900
Forrest Hobbs 6 months ago
In this case, I suspect the lady in question might be insulted by the term "native costume" if she were fluent in English. 🤨
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