On-line Photo collections

Discussion in 'Research Material' started by 51highland, Jan 29, 2007.

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  1. 51highland

    51highland Very Senior Member

    Has anyone been to the IWM Lambeth (annexe) to search for and purchase Photographs. If so, how good is the help amd service you received. I have checked to see whats available on line, but am under the impression that not all is listed yet?

    thanks in advance.
     
    51highland, Jan 29, 2007
    #1
  2. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    I visited the IWM photo archive for the first time over Christmas. It is fascinating and only a fraction is on-line. I got so carried away that I forgot to stop for lunch.

    The staff were friendly and helpful but as I had a pretty good idea about what I wanted to look for I didn't have to bother them too much. My recommendation would be to look for pictures of a similar era and subject in books and on-line and use that collection reference as a starting point. I was mainly interested in the "F" and "O" series which relate to the BEF in France but some of the early "H" or home series were also of interest to me.

    The photos are contained in large albums, some quite recent with plastic wallets but others huge and heavy from the 1950s and they are in quite fragile condition. The old index cards are not all that comprehensive on army matters but I had the impression that things like aircraft types were more completely catalogued.

    In my opinion, an experience not to be missed but it can be a bit heavy on the credit card if you want lots of copies.

    Although there is a huge quantity of photographs, if you are fairly focussed, you can see a lot in one day. The museum staff will help you find the albums you need and you are free to browse the shelves yourself.

    Rich.
     
    Rich Payne, Jan 29, 2007
    #2
  3. 51highland

    51highland Very Senior Member

    Thanks for that. Probably have to throw a sicky now.
     
    51highland, Jan 29, 2007
    #3
  4. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    The fraction that's online is fantastic though, I imagine they'll get as much out there as is possible eventually won't they, must sell afair few that way?
    http://www.iwmcollections.org.uk/qryPhotoImg.asp
    I bought one 10x8 for my brother for christmas. Was hoping for a photographic print but unsurprisingly it came as a good quality digital print.
    The print was very good and clear but being a photography nerd I found it just a little 'flat'. Looked great in a frame though and as I was the only one with any criticism I was probably just disappearing up my photographic fundament... again.
    I'd use 'em again though as the range of pictures is superb.
    [​IMG]
    Cheers,
    Adam.
     
    von Poop, Jan 29, 2007
    #4
  5. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Just bumping this up .
    You may have noticed I've gone a bit mad over this site just recently.
    To have a differnet view of WW2 for those of us that's weren't there when viewing the on-line collection choose COLOUR only.
    You're eyes will pop out of your head.
    Thought WW2 was a black and white war, well thay did have colour back then. :)

    IWM Collections Online: Search Photographs Archive
     

    Attached Files:

    Owen, Mar 13, 2007
    #5
  6. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    Thought WW2 was a black and white war, well thay did have colour back then. :)

    Just watched series on the History Channel "WW2 in Colour" which was a different way to view the actual combat.

    Usually if it was in colour it was a movie.
     
    spidge, Mar 14, 2007
    #6
  7. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    The on-line search facility has been down for awhile.
    Let's hope it's because they're adding lots more images.
    I'm lost without it now.
     
    Owen, Oct 8, 2007
    #7
  8. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Owen - it was working over the weekend, as I was using it!
     
    Paul Reed, Oct 8, 2007
    #8
  9. 51highland

    51highland Very Senior Member

    Just watched series on the History Channel "WW2 in Colour" which was a different way to view the actual combat.

    Have that series and Britain at War in colour on DVD too, quite brilliant.
     
    51highland, Oct 8, 2007
    #9
  10. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    It's back on-line for me so I'm happy.
    I love this one.
    [​IMG]
    NA 20341
    An amusing message chalked on the side of an M3 half-track mounting a 75mm gun of the King's Dragoon Guards, operating as part of 'Porter Force' on the Adriatic coast near Ravenna, 1 December 1944.
     
    Owen, Oct 8, 2007
    #10
  11. soren1941

    soren1941 Living in Ypres

    Wow, this is a seriously good resource, I've just typed in 'Arnhem' the Mrs did'nt hear a peep out of me for a whole hour|!

    Thanks for let us know about this site, fab!

    Soren
     
    soren1941, Oct 9, 2007
    #11
  12. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    Rich Payne, Oct 10, 2007
    #12
  13. soren1941

    soren1941 Living in Ypres

    Cheers Rich,

    Fantastic resource!

    Soren
     
    soren1941, Oct 10, 2007
    #13
  14. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    Bundesarchiv - Picture database: Simple search

    Blimey.

    I'm stickying this thread, if anyone's got any other good links to online national picture archives of similar quality to IWM or the above please put 'em here.

    Cheers,
    Adam
     
    von Poop, Oct 18, 2007
    #14
  15. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    The National Archive of Canada. It has a lot more than WW2 but an advanced search allows dates. I find place names useful and 'Provost' is one of my favourites.

    Home - Library and Archives Canada

    Rich
     
    Rich Payne, Oct 18, 2007
    #15
  16. 51highland

    51highland Very Senior Member

    Thanks for that Rich, nice link bookmarked.
     
    51highland, Oct 18, 2007
    #16
  17. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    Rich Payne, Oct 18, 2007
    #17
  18. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    Rich Payne, Oct 18, 2007
    #18
  19. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Let's not forget the French archive. Not quite so easy to search but worth persevering.

    ECPAD - Médiathèque de la Défense

    I didn't think you could search for anything on this site?
     
    Paul Reed, Oct 19, 2007
    #19
  20. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    Let's not forget the French archive. Not quite so easy to search but worth persevering.

    ECPAD - Médiathèque de la Défense
    Their 'War and Sexuality 1914-45' exhibition is quite... errr... interesting.:
    [​IMG]
     
    von Poop, Oct 19, 2007
    #20
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