"OLD PHOTO" ~ FOLLOW UP FROM JUNE 2011

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

"OLD PHOTO" ~ FOLLOW UP FROM JUNE 2011

This is a follow up regarding a thread I started last June of 2011. I'm sure some of you will recall it.

Here's the link to the original thread for those who wish to review it.

Original Thread: Old Photo

http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,408914.0.html



The reason for this follow up is because this afternoon I received a peraonal message from an individual who started out by saying ...

"My background is in photographic identification of the old west and I am trained in illustration, computer digital graphic arts, photographic forensics."

He then continued by informing me that my colored portrait is that of ...

Ben Thompson

Ben Thompson was a Texas lawman and, considered by many, a ruthless outlaw.

You can read all about Ben Thompson here:
http://www.jcs-group.com/oldwest/sinners/thompson.html


The individual was certain that my portrait is Ben Thompson, and possibly worth as much as $750.00. But I must admit I am somewhat skeptical of his claim, and that it will likely need considerbly more research to confirm.

Compare the following pictures and see what you think. The first one is of the portrait, and the others are originals of Ben Thompson. I will say one thing though, those odd looking eyes look about right. But I am not going to jump to conclusions here and plan to do the research I mentioned before doing anything else.

I will keep you posted on what I come up with. In the meantime, I welcome all opinions and comments.

Thanks.

SODABOTTLEBOB

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

A Handbook of Civil War Bullets and Cartridges - Grab it through Amazon!

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

Re: "OLD PHOTO" ~ FOLLOW UP FROM JUNE 2011

Bob is it a painted photo or a painting?

I am trying to determine that now. The photo guy asked me the same question and is giving me tips on what to look for. Based on what I know about it so far, I believe its a hand colored photograph.

SBB

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Upgraded Night Vision Monocular Digital Infrared Monocular Telescope for 100% Darkness with 8X Zoom - Grab it through Amazon!

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

Re: "OLD PHOTO" ~ FOLLOW UP FROM JUNE 2011

Here's a book on Ben Thompson that was published in 1957. There are currently two copies on eBay and several more available from Amazon.com. They average about $25.00. Eventually I may purchase one. But am holding off for the time being. It is supposed to have a lot of good information and pictures.

SBB

eBay link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Complete-an...752?pt=US_Nonfiction_Book&hash=item33707a1ba0

 

[Bramblefind]

Re: "OLD PHOTO" ~ FOLLOW UP FROM JUNE 2011

Bob - what color eyes does the man in your portrait have? They look brown to me but are they blue? It looks like Ben & his brother both might have blue eyes. I did a quick search on google books and there is a book which references Ben Thompson's "blue eyes snapping".

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

Re: "OLD PHOTO" ~ FOLLOW UP FROM JUNE 2011

Bramble ~

Thanks for your participation. On the portrait itself the eyes are what I would call ...

Bluish Green

 

[BobinSouthVA]

Re: "OLD PHOTO" ~ FOLLOW UP FROM JUNE 2011

Well the only input I can add which doesn't seem quite right to me is the left eyebrow. In both of the Ben Thompson pictures it seems to go straight across or even slightly up a bit. In yours it dips down. it also appears bigger and bushier

Not sure that means anything, maybe he just had a good grooming day for that portrait, or the artist decide to improvise if it is painted.

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

Re: "OLD PHOTO" ~ FOLLOW UP FROM JUNE 2011

I've had the pleasure of exchanging a couple more communications with the photo expert this evening ... and even though its hard for me to put in words all that was said, I am currently 99.9% convinced he knows his stuff and that the hand colored photo-portrait is in fact that of the famous lawman/gambler/outlaw Ben Thompson.

So what happens next? I'm not sure. It isn't my intention to try and sell it. I think I need to get my soldiers in a row first and accumilate more concrete evidence before even considering that. Until then ... please take care and thanks again to everyone for your interest and participation.

Bob

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: "OLD PHOTO" ~ FOLLOW UP FROM JUNE 2011

What about nufire's eye:mouth ratio?

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

Re: "OLD PHOTO" ~ FOLLOW UP FROM JUNE 2011

No disrespect to nufire's much appreciated contribution, but I am currently inclined to go with the following, which I re-post here from my earlier post #7.

~ * ~

"My wife and I examine over 350,000 images a year from many different sources. Our educational background along with many years of studying photography of old west historical portraits combined with using our knowledge of comparing facial forensic details in a digital graphics medium of comparison makes us a qualified source to identify these finds. In my educated and experienced scientific photographic opinion you have a picture of Ben Thompson."

~ * ~

Respectfully,

SBB

 

[Ramitt]

Re: "OLD PHOTO" ~ FOLLOW UP FROM JUNE 2011

Interesting, frustrating that every picture has the reverse profile of yours.

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

Re: "OLD PHOTO" ~ FOLLOW UP FROM JUNE 2011

In conclusion ... (At least for the time being).

Based on the recent accumilation of evidence, it is my intention to eventually have the portrait examined first-hand by another photo expert. Based on the outcome of that second opinion eximination, especially if it turns out positive, I should then have a much better idea as to how to proceed from there. But this will likely take time and money as I'm sure an appraiser's examination will require my mailing the portrait to them along with a fee. Which, because I consider the recent developments to be a worthwhile lead, I am prepared to do whatever necessary to either confirm or refute the portrait's true identity. First, though, I have to find and make the arrangements with another expert, and then go from there. And when this eventually happens (possibly months from now) you can trust that I will post the results here.

I'll be back ... eventually!

SBB

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

Re: "OLD PHOTO" ~ FOLLOW UP FROM JUNE 2011

P.S. ~

I wish to admit openly that I have concerns about the portrait being that of Ben Thompson. If you recall, I said I was 99.9% convinced. The .01% of doubt is based on the picture below, which is the same as the one with Thompson wearing the top hat and holding the cane that I posted earlier. Except here he is seated without the hat. Notice he is partially bald in front. However, I am not drawing any conclusions based on that alone, because the portrait I have could very well be from an earlier period when he had more hair. Or it was possibly a situation where the artist who did the coloring took liberities and added more hair. Whichever the case, I intend to find out!

SBB

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

Re: "OLD PHOTO" ~ FOLLOW UP FROM JUNE 2011

Nothing new or specific to report, just adding some additional information and pictures to make this chronicle as complete as possible for future research. One thing I'm working on though, is to try and trace the family tree and see if I can find any distant relations that are still alive. And because Ben Thompson and his wife had several children, I'm hopeful of eventually finding a connection who might be able to assist me and see if they recognize my portrait. Thus, the reason for the following ...

Ben Thompson Family:

Mother:
Mary Ann Baker Thompson (1813 - 1881)

Children:
Mary Elizabeth Thompson (1866 - 1867)
Benjamin Thompson (1869 - 1893)
William J Thompson (1869 - 1871)
Katherine Florence Thompson Price (1871 - 1938)
Augusta Lorraine Thompson (1877 - 1878)


Additionally, I found the following pictures I thought were interesting. Take a close look at them and you will notice each one is similar but still slightly different. I may never know what went on in the photographer's studio the day these pictures were taken, but I highly suspect they were all taken at the same time. Notice in the first picture a portion of someone seated next to Ben. I wonder who that might be?

I am still looking for the right company to send my portrait to for examanation, but have not made a final decision on that yet. But when I do, I will be sure to let you know.

SBB

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

Re: "OLD PHOTO" ~ FOLLOW UP FROM JUNE 2011

One more ...

Ben Thompson

Born In Knottingley, England

November 11, 1842

Died

March 11, 1884

(Oakwood Cemetary ~ Austin, Texas)

Ben Thompson Timeline: http://www.frontiertimes.com/outlaws/thompson.html

 

[tomjiggy]

Re: "OLD PHOTO" ~ FOLLOW UP FROM JUNE 2011

Just one thing that should be considered. I've seen portraits of people painted in a matter of just an hour, sometimes less by artists in South Korea. If this is a painted portrait it will not be 100% accurate, and might even have a certain flare that the artist wants to add(a personalization of the object or person being painted). This could result in bluish-green eyes when the persons eyes were actually plain blue, or the canting of the eye brow might be different. And the artist might be so caught up in painting that he/she might not even be aware they are doing it. I definitely would not rule out the possibility of it being Ben in the portrait.