This week’s idea for Sepia Saturday, inspired by Linda, the Paper Collector, is a photo of a man with an impressive ‘tache reading a book – in fact, he looks like he’s been interrupted and is possibly slightly grumpy.
The only photo I could find of a man with a ‘tache and a book is of my maternal Grandfather’s brother, Norman, sharing a very large book with his delightful Granddaughter, Rose, and both look far from grumpy.
I wonder what it was that made Rose laugh so much? Perhaps he stashed something funny inside the book. To me, this looks like a professional photo taken in a studio – Rose’s posh frock and the background make me think so. Norman died in 1995 aged 81, and I don’t remember ever meeting him – he had moved from Scotland to the south west of England. I don’t have any early photos of Norman, just older ones, when “the Porter brothers” had the time to get together for family reunions, after they had all retired. Subsequently our families have lost touch. More “living relative” research required – Rose probably is on Facebook 🙂
Jo 🙂
Jo Graham
Images Past 
What a lovely photo, love his hands, eloquently aged. Expressions on both of their faces wonderful and that book! OOOO, lovely!
Thanks for your comment, Carol – I need to track Norman’s family down and get re-acquainted 🙂
Jo, I have vague memories of a book like that which played a tune when you opened the cover.
Aha – maybe the book played something musical when you opened it? That would explain Rose’s delighted grin. Thanks, Bob, that’s a possible explanation. I’ll need to pursue this further, I think 🙂
This photo is SO beautiful–and so clear you can almost count the hairs on your great-uncle’s head.
The carving on the edge of the book do make it look like it could be something besides an actual book. The little girl looks so happy.
Bob and Kristin beat me to the punch. I think too this is no ordinary book. Norman is a very handsome man — too bad you have no pictures from his youth, I bet he was a catch!
It is indeed a grand photograph and almost a perfect match for the them. Posed though it must have been, you can still read so much about the two personalities involved just be looking at their faces.
Music or not, it is an exceptionally beautiful and heart-warming photo.
I also thought it didn’t look like a book for reading.
Yes, as Kristin says it looks like more than “a book” – perhaps it was a photographer’s prop, or a musical box. I like to think that it is a family bible and one day I might have copies 😀 Either way, it’s a lovely photo.
Oh this reminded me so much of watching my grandmother read books to my son on her lap the few years they got to have together before she passed. They had such a special relationship, and were best buddies. The expressions on the faces in the picture remind me of that unique relationship. You can tell they genuinely enjoy being with eachother. What a sweet picture. 🙂 You’ve compelled me to go find that picture I have of them and add it to my page. Sweet memories!
I agree, it’s a charming photo and who cares if it’s posed?
It’s a wonderful photograph! I normally don’t read other comments before posting my own, but I liked the idea that the book was a music box. Hope you find Rose!
If this is indeed a studio shot, it is of the better kind,
none of those silly and garishly colored prints.
Its sobriety enhances the moment displayed here,
good times shared by two who obviously don’t feel
the generational gap.
Thanx 4 sharing!!
🙂
HUGZ
A posed setting, but certainly the two are very relaxed! Wonderful moment of laughter and love captured.
This is such a beautiful picture. A lovely capture. Thank you for sharing this.
I must say that I cannot resist the temptation of asking you if I may use this picture for a brochure I am designing? It will so perfectly suit the mood.
Kindly reply to your earliest convenience. Thank you very much again.
I’m afraid that I had to refuse permission as I am not the photographer and this is a personal family photo, however no offence was taken 🙂