Last names Roos E. Velt? Do their first names rhyme with Skelator and Freddy? Thinking it is possible I found an unknown image if so. Not sure how much or how little value something like that would have. Figured I’d add some homemade watermarks and try not to spell their names if having this “unpublished” would add value. No clue on the men on the left if anyone recognizes them. Maybe the two on the right aren’t even who I think they are. That would be funny.
Thanks for playing my cryptic game everyone! Except evelyb who undoubtedly cost me a billion or two ;p. Glad everyone agrees on the gent to the left! The gal resembles the ladies of the family enough that I’d think it would almost have to be a relation. Maybe it’s just the look of the era that’s got me seeing what’s not there. I’m new to the world of potentially unknown images of someone of this stature. Has anyone had any experience in this area? It was framed probably close to the era the photo is from and appears to be an original image rather than a copy of one.
That perspective is quite helpful. Doesn’t leave too much room for doubt. Too bad he wasn’t the one pictured head on.
If it is an original image, it is really too bad that an artist had to get creative with it. PS: I superimposed the two images and they are a match.
This is one of those times I miss Manson's; I bet he'd know who she was. She certainly looks like a Roosevelt cousin, or maybe his younger daughter Ethel.
Can you show us the frame? And are there any markings on the back of the photographic paper (like the name of the type of paper)? They might provide clues as to date, which might help determine the circumstances of the photo. With any photographic print on paper there is a good chance that more than one could have been printed from the negative. In other words, it would not be a "unique" object.
To me, it looks like it could be a news photographer image. What's the size of the print? TR is in his overcoat, so I assume he made a stop at the office of those he's with. I would send a copy of it to the TR Library and Sagamore Hill N.H.S. and ask if they know of it and who the others are. https://www.trlibrary.com/ https://www.nps.gov/sahi/index.htm
To me that looks like a recent print off of a negative. (post-1940 counting as "recent") Gelatin prints usually have silver "coming through" by this point, and a lifetime image would be a gelatin print. If so then it's a known image at least to some degree.
you’ve made good points. Actually maybe it’s not even on photo paper. I’ve not taken it out of the frame. It’s still on a backer as well. You’re probably correct that it’s not the only copy that ever existed. I was more thinking that it was potentially taken by a small time or private photographer and that even if there had been multiple copies at one point that maybe it was the only remaining copy of the image rather than the only copy that ever existed. Since it’s not a great straight on photo of him, not a commanding pose, likely not an important event or moment, maybe the image was little known or unknown in it’s time to all but the photographer and maybe his/her immediate circle. Possibly it sat upon their wall with pride until they passed and then the family forgot who was even in the photo and it got donated to the thrift store I obtained it from. This idea was based more on fantasy than fact. Here’s some photos of the frame. It looks first quarter 20th century to me, but what do I know.