What does it say?

[Bay Horse]

Going through a bundle of old papers and receipts in a drawer in the garage last week, I came across a rare photograph - rare in that it can only be from my husband's side of the family, and most pictures there were lost (my MIL had Alzheimer's unfortunately, and got rid of so many precious things).

Of course, there is nothing written on the back of this photo to identify it, but as you can see, there is something scrawled on the front. A name, or a fond message? - I can't begin to work it out.

All suggestions welcomed, if anyone would like to try.

 

[Blackmogs]

Crikey, hard to see. And very curly script. It might be a name because tge first letter of each word loiks like a capital.

 

[Sis]

I can't read what it says but these versions may help you. Sorry they are a bit large, but doing them as a thumbnail made them too small.

 

[Bonzo Dog]

Unglazed proof?

 

[Bay Horse]

Ooh, that's way better, Sis. Thank you.

 

[Bay Horse]

I think you're on the right lines, Bonzo. Until Sis sharpened the image, I hoped that the second capital was a 'B' and part of 'Bradley', but it's definitely only five characters long, and I think it does say 'proof' now that you've said it. It's been written by a photographer's hand, I think.

Unframed? Unfinished, maybe? I am struggling to see the third letter as anything other than an 'f'.

Thank you, Sis and Bonzo - that's been a huge help. Clearly isn't a name, which is disappointing, but I think you are there.

 

[Archie's Mum]

Unfinish(ed)?

 

[Bay Horse]

I am going with 'Unfinished', with the end of the word squashed in.

Thank you, Sue.

 

[Bonzo Dog]

Reckon AM is right and the first word is unfinished.

Achieving the glossy finish on photographs involved a fair amount of effort, so a photographer would produce unglazed proof prints for approval and selection before printing the actual photographs. I have some proof prints of my wedding photographs from 1962. They are embossed "Unglazed proofs, property of . . . " They are the ones not chosen to go into the wedding album.

 

[AnnB]

I'm in the 'unfinished' camp

 

[GrannyBarb]

It looks to me like "Unfinished Bob!" Probably reference to the haircut? It looks as though the photo had been crumpled up at some time. I'd like to do that to some of mine sporting unfortunate 'do 's.

 

[Bay Horse]

Barb.

It does look a tad crumpled.

That's interesting, Bonzo. So, the equivalent of 'copyright' across a modern digital photo.

 

[Dogsday]

I'm in the 'unfinished' camp

''nuf said'

 

[Figgs]

Unfinished Proof! I have many of my professional engagement pictures done for the newspapers in 1961 with "proof" printed on the front of them! The photographers wanted to be paid for a finished photo and the proofs were not glossy at all!

 

[GrannyBarb]

Upon further review... Unfinished Proof does look more likely.

 

[mugwortismy cat]

It is a lovely photo of a charming lady

Am late to the party, but in agreement with "unfinished proof"