Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

Place de la Madeleine - Leon Gimpel Mars 1914

Photo Source Paris Unplugged

 

A collection of 1914 Parisien photographs, John Powell sent me a link to bring a bit of sparkle into my day. Wasn't that kind! John Powell, if you remember is the lovely American man who invited French Husband and I to come and stay in his home in Merida, Mexico. We had never met John, and were happily surprised by his generous act of kindness. His only request was that if we came to Merida that we stay at least two weeks. We stayed a month.

 

Avenue Hoche, 1919 Paris, 

Photo Source Paris Unplugged

 

For most people random acts of kindness is easier to say than to do, easier to write as a motto than to actually live. Random acts of kindness shouldn't have to be considered as extraordinary, or accomplished by someone who has a generous spirit, nor wears a heart on their sleeve, or has money in their pockets. Random acts of kindness use to be common courtesy, a natural response, a way to engage in community.

 

 

Famille Rue du Pot de Fer - 24 juin 1914

 

Photo Source Paris Unplugged

The link John sent to me says: "As surprising as this may seem, there are many photographs of Paris shot in direct color from 1907 to 1930.

 

The Autochrome process was developed by the Lumière brothers in 1903. The technique was based on a composite of black and white emulsions passed through a series of color filters (red, blue and green) designed based on potato starch." 

The presence of these filters reduced the sensitivity of the emulsion, where the length of the pause time and difficulty required to capture movement. The process was such a hit that the Lumière factories produced up to 6000 plates per day."

Then and now on a street corner in Paris.

Photo Source Paris Unplugged

 

Looking through these old photos of Paris, not much had changed... sure the clothes were dated somewhat, motorcycles replaced carts, though the color made these old photos, that we usually see in black and white, come alive.

Alive as in present tense.

 

 

Rue 53 Cambon, Paris 1918

Photo Source Paris Unplugged

 

The streets, the bulidings, most of the objects, the look or I should say the essense of emotion that the people gave are not much different than today.

A young woman prepares a bouquet,

she could be you, she could be me.

 

 

Invalides 1909 Paris,

Photo Source Paris Unplugged

 

 

Instead of looking at a time long ago,

I was looking at today.

Past, present, future. No beginning, no ending, instead a constant cycle.

 

 

Place de la Republique, Paris 1918

Photo Source Paris Unplugged

 

There I am at the brocante.

 

 

 

Marchandes de Fleurs, Place de la République - 10 Mai 1918 - Auguste Léon

Photo Source Paris Unplugged

 

 

Past, present, future --- Yesterday, today, tomorrow.

 

Today it felt all the same. 

Life continues to continue,

it is how we engage in it that makes the difference.

 

 

 

"A 

commercial made by Citroën on the Eiffel Tower for the 1925 Parisian exposition."

Photo Source Paris Unplugged

 

"The images published are among the work of Leon Gimpel, Stephane Passet, Georges Chevalier and Auguste Leon. They offer an unexpected proximity with this century that imagination restores in black and white. This collection of Autochrome were made ​​in Paris between 1914 and 1918. Additional information on the Albert Kahn Foundation website ."

 

Comments

[Celeste Coelho]

What a sweet gesture and lovely photos.
You and yours remain in my prayers Corey.

[Zosia]

Wonderful to see Paris at the turn of the century in colour. Thank you Mr. Powell for sharing.

[betty parker]

I loved the photographs. I loved seeing all the flowers. Some things never change.
Thanks for sharing...

[Merisi in Vienna]

These are gorgeous photographs, Corey. Merci beaucoup to John Powell for sharing them with us!

The Library of Congress houses a treasure trove of color photographs from early 20th century Russa (somehow they managed to acquire them in the late 1940s). The Sergei Mikhailovich Prokudin-Gorskii Collection features color photographic of the Russian Empire made between ca. 1905 and 1915. The quality of color is astonishing. I saw the photographs, poster-sized prints, and they simply blew me away.

Here are a few links:
http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/prok/method.html (about the method employed to create those early color photographs)
http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/prok/ (about the collection)
http://www.loc.gov/pictures/search/?st=grid&co=prok (a picture gallery to click through and enjoy)

[Merisi]

Please forgive the mistakes. I need to go sleep!

[Beatnheart]

What lovely photos...what were those big orange balls do you think? balloons?

[g]

i laughed outloud, "...there i am at the brocante..." sweet spirit - i fancy myself buying flowers from the flower girl- i haven't yet entered the frame-but my heels are clacking on the pavement...my pace is slowed by the thought of what color what type of flowers to get....

[Sharon Penney-Morrison]

They are beautiful photo's. Not much has changed except style. I love France!!!

[jend'isère]

When my daughter was little she thought that the entire world used to be all in black and white a long time ago.

[Suzanna]

hiya Corey ~ still sendng out vibes of LoVe from Florida your way ~ love these vintage pics ~ building a little bouquet is me, is you, is many ~ OX ~

[Marilyn]

Paris, now and then, both beautiful! Continued prayers~

[Diogenes]

The color does make it feel like "today" as opposed to the sepia tones we are so used to seeing in old photos. I feel like I could walk right into these. And it's amazing to think that there were color photos in 1903!

Love the Tour Eiffel decorated by Citroen....

[chardonnaylynn]

C'est magnifique!!!
Prayers and positive thoughts continue to come your way from California. XXOO L

[Massilianana]

How lovely ! The colors are simply amazing, so vibrant , like if the pictures had been taken a few days ago. So modern. Thanks, to John Powell and you.Thinking of your friend.

[Linda]

What a gift to be able to see these colors! Black and white and sepia tones are lovely and evocative, but these pictures are full of life.

Corey, your blog is such a wonderful place to learn new things and remember old. The Rose is one of my favorite songs. I hope your friend is healing.

Thank you for the other links, Merisi.

[Susan Murphy Storz]

Thank you for sharing-at first when I was looking at just the photos, I thought they were current shots. Finally, I slowed down and read the story-it's amazing how the color photographs make you feel like these were taken just yesterday.

[Dabney]

Wow, the photos are wonderful. The photos look so current except for the dress styles. Absolutely marvelous. Still thinking of your friend and sending healing thoughts.

[sue at naperville now]

spectacular doesn't begin to cover it. saw these today via another blog and was entranced. the flower girl 1918 was particularly compelling. thank you for sharing these.

[French la Vie]

Thank you Merisi for the extra links! Amazing. I knew you would know about it. xxx

[French la Vie]

Hi BH

I loved those! They really threw me. I don't know what they represented. Maybe one of the links in the post or that Merisi added will explain it. If I find it I will let you know.

c

[Monika]

What extraordinary images!

I miss the flower carts...

But those great oranges balls/balloons...! I'd love to know what that was about!

La plus ça change, la plus c'est la meme chose!

(apologies, don't know where the accents are on this computer...)

[24/7 in France]

Interesting photos - Paris is magnificent!

[Jeanne]

Beautiful and lovely photographs.
I am so glad you shared them............
Blessings and love my sweet friend.
Love Jeanne

[teresa Cesario]

Such beauty in the world..SO much of it!! Thanks for being one who shares it everyday. I love the photos so much.

[Tracy]

Lovely, lovely photos.

[Laura]

WOW, how cool. Scary to think the early 1900's was 100 years ago! I'm definitely starting to feel old. Not that I was born in 1900 or anything :) :)

I love seeing you at the brocante!

[Frank Levin]

Thank you so much for this Corey. I think I will try to take some photographs from the same locations this summer for comparison. I would love to know the story behind all the gas balloons at Invalides. It must have been a competition.

[Cheryl in Wisconsin]

I love the then and now comparison. It is further testiment to how much France respects it's historic buildings and architecture.

[Patti Lloyd]

sometimes our lives look sepia and monotone, but underneath we know the vibrant color is always there..this is hope.

[Peggy Braswell]

what wonderful photos + always learn so much from your post. Continued prays for you + your friend. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

[Brenda L. from TN.]

Thank you Corey and John Powell for sharing these BEAUTIFUL phots...The girl in the purple shawl and flower cart was simply stunning for a 1918 photo! Such crisp colors! Only the clothes dated these photos and even they were wonderful!
The big orange and yellow things are a mystery to me tho...what are they?

[Franca Bollo]

I agree. The Eiffel Tower is fantastic.

[Franca Bollo]

Like.

Thanks to John Powell for directing Coco to this site.

[Kathie B]

Christo should eat his heart out over that Eiffel Tower decoration!

[Natalie Thiele]

These are unbelievable! What a find! Stunning. Thank you for sharing.

[Gail M]

Wow, merisi, I can't believe that beautiful archive! Imagine it is in the library of congress...

[Gail M]

The photos caught me completely by surprise. Why do they feel so more current and real ? Is it because they are in color? Amazing. Thank you for this great find. Thank you to the Parisian government for not tearing down and replacing these beauties ( at least since Haussmann!)
Xxxxxooo I hope your friend is receiving the care that he needs....