Gents (and ladies too ) While we are on the subject of Newspaper Archives can I set you a project ? It's difficult for me claim that this actually fits into a WW2 category but it was in a period leading up to the war so I hope you will be persuaded that it is a permissable query. In 1935 (could be early 1936) I was working in Fleet Street for two photographic companies in sucession in the lowly position of "runner-boy" The First was Associated Press of Great Britain & America, the second was Topical Press Agency. I was aged 13 ish and it was my first job after leaving school. The job was quite simple, taking photos to all the newspapers in Fleet Street for the Art Editors to look at and decide whether or not they wished to buy them. It was rush, rush, rush and literally we had to run to each newspaper office as the photos came out of the dark room. On one such trip I was taking photos to the Sunday Despatch, which at that time was owned by the Daily Mail Group and was kicking my heels in the "runner boys" room waiting for the Art Editor to make decisions when someone poked their head round the door, looked at me and said "he'll do" and I was ushered into another office where a 7ft plus giant was waiting for me. They took a photo of me standing on a table and shaking hands with the big lad who was visiting London. I seem to remember that he was the tallest man in the world and I certainly had a copy of the printed article until it was lost somewhere along the line. Before I shuffle off this mortal coil I would dearly like to get a copy of the article for my descendants or see the image on the internet, any ideas ? What you are looking for is this huge man shalking hands with a young lad who is standing on a table in order to get him to the right height and yes, I remember trying the Colindale archives but with no sucess. Would someone like to make my day ? As always, thanks in advance Ron
I've sliced your query off the newspaper thread Ron. It surely deserves a place of it's own . Starting with Wiki's no doubt incomplete list of the exceptionally tall, living and dead, here's a few possible candidates. Appreciating that it was 'ahem' some time since you were 13; do any of them ring a bell? Robert Wadlow - 1918-1940 Väinö Myllyrinne - 1909-1963 Rigardus Rijnhout - 1922-1959 Gogea Mitu - 1914-1936 ~A
Adam Why thank you, kind Sir................. I'm flattered....... a thread of my very own Having said that, if the extra prominence provides a solution I shall bow in submission to the greatest forum of all time Enough frivolity...........Wadlow is a possible contender but I would need to know if he came to England in the correct time scale of 1934-1935. I attach a snap of how I looked at the time. What you/we are looking for is me on the right of a picture, standing on a table shaking hands with this enormous chap. To make the challenge more interesting I will happily send a modest donation to any charity chosen by the eventual finder. Over to you good people !!!!!!!! Ron
Ron Springs to mind, could it have been Primo Carnera the boxer and actor who was very popular about this time? Rob
Ron, If you are after the actual photograph I would contact the Daily Mail Group....They have an extensive photographic archive which may contain the photo of you 'and a very tall man'. Regards Andy
If it was published Ron, it WILL be on microfiche in someones archives ... armed with your approx date a call to the British Library might be fruitful ...
I've sliced your query off the newspaper thread Ron. It surely deserves a place of it's own . Starting with Wiki's no doubt incomplete list of the exceptionally tall, living and dead, here's a few possible candidates. Appreciating that it was 'ahem' some time since you were 13; do any of them ring a bell? Robert Wadlow - 1918-1940 Väinö Myllyrinne - 1909-1963 Rigardus Rijnhout - 1922-1959 Gogea Mitu - 1914-1936 ~A Adam, Super photographs. Being so large would present you with many problems, especially trying to drive that car home in the third picture Ron, I wish you luck finding the photograph as it would make a real talking point in anyones photo album. Regards Tom
Rigardus Rijnhout was known as "de Reus van Rotterdam" (= the giant of Rotterdam). So he won't be your man. What I know about him is that he lived a bit of a sad life. Earned some money in the marketing business. Mainly as a sort of sandwich man. I wonder how he got through the war. He must have had extra rations. But during the "hongerwinter" (= starvation winter 44-45) he must have had a extra very bad time. Never seen him in the flesh, though I was 6 when he died. I do know he had a special bicycle made for him. Levien.
Gentlemen First of all, Rob Definitely not Primo Carnera. How do I know ?, because in 1946 I saw him box in Trieste Ron Goldstein's Actual Army Album Scroll down to Page 41 and you will see a snap of yours truly and my late friend Leslie Gilbert on the waterfront at Trieste after having seen Carnera in a "comeback" boxing match. Smudger, Andy, Drumaneen, Levien et al I do appreciate your advice but I confess that I have never visited the British Library before and so I would appreciate chapter and verse on how to go about it from anyone who has actually been there. As far as Drumaneen's link: Newspapers - Basic Search I wasn't able to advance further than the opening pages, I must be doing something wrong ? I don't want to play the "age" card (well actually, yes I do !) but it would really mean a lot to me if someone could locate this bloody picture while I am still here to appreciate it and write about it and yes Adam, I am grateful that you have given it a kickstart. Thanks to all of you Ron
Poor Ron ... Dunno what the prob is but the link I left was for the British Library Newspaper Catalogue. They have holdings of the Sunday DIspatch till 1946 or so. They do have an online article ordering service I note. Can't help beyond this 'cos as you know I am here in the west of Ireland and the sunlight of London would kill me .. sorry mate.
Ron As I said in the original thread, I was there last week! The BL newspaper Library is at Colindale opposite the tube, not to far from you. Same as the NA, you will need 2 proof Docs, 1) proof of identity, passport, driving lic etc. 2) proof off address, rates, utility bill etc. This will get you a readers ticket (lasts 2years) You then fill in a slip (take a pencil) for the newspaper and date of publication you want, take this to the counter and they will provide the mico-film. then go to a MF reader and look for what you need. You can photp-copy anythink you want. there is no need to book anything, you can just go,they are VERY helpfull. Hope this is clear. Cheers Rob
Don't forget your camera ! <Fingers crossed for you> Andy + Ron Sorry NO cameras or phones allowed in the building! Cheers Rob
