Gr8at: Black and White Photographs from a Bygone Era

Posted on March 12, 2016 by alexraphael

These photographs, supposedly discovered from an old camera, capture famous moments within history and just how different the world used to be.

Halloween from the 1900s. Good to know clowns have long been considered scary.

You certainly wouldn’t get that today! Taken when constructing the Brooklyn Bridge.

A police officer guarding Galt, Ontario Pharmacy during waist-high waters in 1974. Probably not a good time to drop your keys.

An apple a day! An elephant stops a tram on Gray’s Inn Road, London to eat an apple from its driver in 1936. Well they do say an apple a day…

Eventually built to a height of 324 metres/1,063 feet, the Eiffel Tower shown here under construction in 1893. Leading artists and intellectuals were against the project. And yes, that includes after it was finished.

When the lion came to tea could easily be the title of an Alfred Hitchcock Presents episode. You have to wonder whether the king of the jungle wants one teaspoon of sugar or two.

Two of the most charismatic American Presidents, Bill Clinton and John F Kennedy. Just to think of the things they could talk about if history was different and they were talking thirty years later.

A poignant image as wellwishers wave goodbye to the Titanic in 1912.

51 thoughts on “Gr8at: Black and White Photographs from a Bygone Era”

sonofabeach96 on March 12, 2016 at 4:01 pm said:

These are so cool! The one of the Eiffel Tower being built is amazing. 😃

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- alexraphael on March 12, 2016 at 4:16 pm said:
  
  I know. It’s a useful reminder that some people will oppose anything.
  
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Amanda Lyle on March 12, 2016 at 4:19 pm said:

That first one!!! *hides under table*

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- alexraphael on March 12, 2016 at 11:31 pm said:
  
  I know. That’s quite a line-up. Creepy to see a policemen in there too.
  
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le0pard13 on March 12, 2016 at 4:23 pm said:

Some fantastic images.

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- alexraphael on March 12, 2016 at 11:36 pm said:
  
  Thanks. I wanted a neat mix. They really do represent anther world really.
  
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Ann Koplow on March 12, 2016 at 6:14 pm said:

Amazingly gr8at, Alex!

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- alexraphael on March 12, 2016 at 11:37 pm said:
  
  Thanks Ann. I’m going to remember the third photo next time I get caught in a heavy rainstorm. It reminds me of that line in Frasier about hailing a passing gondola.
  
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TravelCopy on March 12, 2016 at 7:10 pm said:

So interesting! Thank you.

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- alexraphael on March 12, 2016 at 11:43 pm said:
  
  So happy you liked them. They jumped out at me so much I just had to include them in a post. Putting the last one in was hard though.
  
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imustseemovie.com on March 12, 2016 at 9:03 pm said:

Great pictures of the past

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- alexraphael on March 12, 2016 at 11:44 pm said:
  
  Thanks. It’s nearly impossible to imagine most of them taking place today.
  
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moonskittles on March 13, 2016 at 12:47 am said:

Yes, they are all great! I have actually seen most of them since I am a die hard lover of old photographs, but it was beautiful to revisit! 🙂

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- alexraphael on March 13, 2016 at 1:57 pm said:
  
  That’s awesome 🙂 Feel free to add a link to one or two. Have you seen the one that has the two old people that inspired the american Gothic painting? It almost made it in.
  
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  - moonskittles on March 14, 2016 at 6:30 pm said:
    
    yes 😀 that is an amazing one! 🙂
The Boss Book Club on March 13, 2016 at 1:00 am said:

Love black and white photography! These photos are great! Love the one of the policeman in the floodwater- what’s he thinking about do you reckon?

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- alexraphael on March 13, 2016 at 1:58 pm said:
  
  I like to think he’s looking at the Do Not Enter sign haha.
  
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Adam (Consumed by Film) on March 13, 2016 at 4:54 am said:

Terrific pics Alex. I’m glad I wasn’t around for early-20th century Halloween.

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- alexraphael on March 13, 2016 at 2:10 pm said:
  
  I know. When a policeman is part of the line-up you do ask questions haha.
  
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lauramacky on March 13, 2016 at 6:07 am said:

Fantastic photos!

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- alexraphael on March 13, 2016 at 2:16 pm said:
  
  Thanks Laura. Hope you’re having an awesome weekend.
  
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  - lauramacky on March 13, 2016 at 4:41 pm said:
    
    You’re welcome! I am indeed…it’s raining! Can’t get much better than than in our drought-ridden state. Hope you’re having a good one as well.
louise237 on March 13, 2016 at 7:39 am said:

Awesome shots! Titanic seems a giant compared to the people waving… I love the “Vitamins” sign, I wonder if the policeman took some after the flood?

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- alexraphael on March 13, 2016 at 2:17 pm said:
  
  And so many hats! I haven’t seen that many in one place since I graduated. I wouldn’t be surprised if he did!
  
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  - louise237 on March 13, 2016 at 2:58 pm said:
    
    People dressed “classy” these days…
Jordan Dodd on March 13, 2016 at 10:16 am said:

Wow, thanks for sharing mate

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- alexraphael on March 13, 2016 at 2:13 pm said:
  
  Glad you enjoyed them. Photography is a big part of my blog and I like to have a wide range of things to focus on.
  
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vinnieh on March 13, 2016 at 10:48 am said:

These are some very good shots, thanks for sharing.

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- alexraphael on March 13, 2016 at 2:15 pm said:
  
  Thanks dude. Some of those Halloween episodes on Buffy were pretty dark, but that first photo… haha
  
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  - vinnieh on March 13, 2016 at 2:22 pm said:
    
    That is a creepy photo.
  - alexraphael on March 13, 2016 at 2:23 pm said:
    
    Which of the five people freaks you out most?
  - vinnieh on March 13, 2016 at 2:25 pm said:
    
    The one on the far left.
  - alexraphael on March 13, 2016 at 2:31 pm said:
    
    That gaze (shudders)
  - vinnieh on March 13, 2016 at 2:34 pm said:
    
    It’s chilling.
derrickjknight on March 13, 2016 at 11:28 am said:

Like your captions, Alex

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- alexraphael on March 13, 2016 at 2:18 pm said:
  
  Thanks Derrick. There was so much to comment on with each photo I just felt I had to add something.
  
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Anna (Film Grimoire) on March 13, 2016 at 2:31 pm said:

That photo of Clinton and JFK really blows my mind! Excellent collection of photos.

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- alexraphael on March 13, 2016 at 2:32 pm said:
  
  I had no idea they’d ever met. If they’d known what the future held for both of them…
  
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parparvan on March 13, 2016 at 10:53 pm said:

Woah ! Nice !!!

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- alexraphael on March 13, 2016 at 11:00 pm said:
  
  Thanks.
  
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parparvan on March 13, 2016 at 10:53 pm said:

One thing is for sure Halloween was a lot more scary back then !!

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- alexraphael on March 13, 2016 at 11:04 pm said:
  
  Imagine tricking or treating and having one of those people answer the door haha. I’m guessing things lightened up a bit when kids started dressing up.
  
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  - parparvan on March 13, 2016 at 11:07 pm said:
    
    I would not be trick or treating lol!!!
  - alexraphael on March 13, 2016 at 11:07 pm said:
    
    I know!
Dr Meg Sorick on March 15, 2016 at 6:30 pm said:

Tres cool! Love the flood pic. He’s just hanging out doing his job! 😃 Thanks for finding me, I’m going to enjoy your blog, I can tell!

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- alexraphael on March 15, 2016 at 9:48 pm said:
  
  I can totally imagine him thinking “I bloody hate Mondays”. And thank you kindly 🙂
  
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  - Dr Meg Sorick on March 15, 2016 at 10:11 pm said:
    
    Ha! Yes! 😃
table9mutant on March 15, 2016 at 6:55 pm said:

Awesome!!! I love old black & white photos SO much. That Brooklyn Bridge one is making me hyperventilate! And that Hitchcock one is great. And the first one is like something from Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children. 🙂

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- alexraphael on March 15, 2016 at 9:45 pm said:
  
  I know. If one guy loses his grip, he’s taking a few down with him most likely.
  
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abbiosbiston on March 19, 2016 at 1:48 pm said:

Wow the first one is so creepy!!!

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- alexraphael on March 19, 2016 at 2:06 pm said:
  
  I know. Imagine opening your door to see that. You’d give them all your candy and shut the door fast haha.
  
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