Kodakrome from 1961

[granfer]

I am just reviewing some film picked up at a Car Boot Sale....7 full 400 ft reels and seven 200 ft reels.... for a song. I've picked a reel at random, dated 1961,
and I am absolutely gob-smacked! The building of the Tamar road bridge, sailing off the South West coast, a heath fire on Dartmoor, the "House that Moved" in Exeter, etc. etc..... stunning amateur film taken by someone who knew what he was doing, pin sharp.... and the colour !!!!. Pristine, stunning full range colour, no fade, no cracking, just like the day it was taken, heart-stoppingly beautiful! It simply leaves me speechless. And the film itself is like new, no warping, shrinking, torn sprocket holes, absolutely immaculate.
The Paterson clear orange plastic "can" is simply marked "Scrapbook 1961", but for a "scrapbook" the cameraman knew where to be and when... it's full of superb family, scenic and archival footage, all beautifully shot. I can't wait to view and catalogue all 14 reels.

[BK]

Great find! Reminds me of a 400ft of standard 8mm reel that I picked up at the flea market of a 60's holiday trip to Japan and North America, ( deserted Las vegas, early Disneyland ) lovely colour, competent photography, quite a interesting record of life captured on Kodachrome.

Bill

[Andersens Tears]

The Paterson clear orange plastic "can" is simply marked "Scrapbook 1961", but for a "scrapbook" the cameraman knew where to be and when... it's full of superb family, scenic and archival footage, all beautifully shot. I can't wait to view and catalogue all 14 reels.

Sounds like you are in for some entertaining viewing!

[etimh]

Whenever I hear another of these stories, or pick up some old anonymous home movies myself, I get this melancholy feeling of regret and sadness. I've talked about it before here, about wondering who these people were and how they could possibly let these rich captured memories simply go from their lives.

But at least there are people like us to appreciate and possibly archive these filmed memories. It is a worse tragedy what is happening today. Digital photographs and video (and even much of the video tape of the last two decades) are likely to disappear into the firmament as loss occurs due to technological defects and obsolescence.

A whole generation of historical memory is at risk of disappearance.

Tim

[aj]

The same emotion here. How can people just toss it out. All these beautiful and well shot images. Here in Europe, especially France, there are also so many of these family photoalbums from the late 1800s and early 1900s. Highly collectible things on photoshows.

But sometimes people die without anybody left to take proper care of the family goods and memories. And things are left to uninterested house-clearers etc
Society-wise there is, however, millions of meters of family and hobby film. And thousands of 19th and 20th century family albums. So nothing is lost, it seems

[Static 8]

Check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_sb40S9mcI

(there might be some Kodachrome in it but most of it looks like Agfa or Perutz or something like that...)

m

[einzelhaft83]

I have passed up a few reels at estate sales, but no more. As long they are not too expensive I will take them.

I have told my children that the things of mine I would like them to keep are my photos and films. Hopefully many years from now...

[cinecymru]

Since I started my transfer business in 1992, I am constantly amazed at the quality of incoming footage from clients. Local scenery and events have been well captured on amateur cine film.
Recently I've seen a surge of interest in this precious footage from local TV programme makers who have recognised the value of amateur footage. This interest raises the dilemma about the exploitation of the memories of ordinary folk by the professional media providers. In some cases I suspect they are just offered a free DVD transfer for world rights!
On the positive side, at least the films are being shown, rather than staying in old shoe boxes in the attic.