Monday 16 February 2015

Girl in a hoody

Mervyn O' Gorman c1913


Mervyn Joseph Pius O' Gorman (1871 - 1958) was an electrical and aircraft engineer. Also a bit of a dandy by all accounts. He was a pioneer of colour photography and I only recently discovered these, taken by him on the Dorset coast.


Mervyn O' Gorman c1913

I have always liked them and wondered whatever happened to the girl, Christina, who appears in many of his photographs. By all accounts she was his daughter. The hoody picture (top) could have been taken this last summer, but was in fact taken in 1913.....amazing.

Lulworth Cove is the location by the way..........looks nice and quiet in 1913.

Mervyn O' Gorman - Christina

Mervyn O' Gorman c1913

6 comments:

The Two Terriers said...


Amazing pictures Dickie, they look like a staged, modern fashion shoot. very beautiful. So is the girl!

The attack of the Mexican Two Step has abated and I dare leave the house so let's fish.

All the best,

John

Dickie Straker said...

Hi John, yes, they are splendid indeed - I am amazed they were taken in 1913. Will post some more up soon - nobody knows what happened to Christina........would love to know! TTFN Dickie

The Two Terriers said...


Cheers Dickie, I have finally got comments to work on the TT. Could try it please.

All the best,

John

Unknown said...

Such gorgeous images aren't they. I think their modernity is what makes them mesmerising. And you have them the corrct way round too ! So many, including some very esteemed establishments, have them flipped horizontally. And the reason you can tell, the rock formation in the background of the boat image is Durdle Door, not Lulworth Cove. The paddling image is also Durdle Door Beach, at its very western end.

I am looking into who 'Christina' might have been, we now know its certainly not his daughter....its all so wonderfully intriguing :)

Dickie Straker said...

Thanks Abs, what a great update. These images, and all the others, have haunted me for years......to hear you are on the case is so exciting! Please keep us updated. In my excitement I knew they were Durdle Door of course, but for some weird reason had Lulworth in my mind - I don't know why they are flipped and tinkered with - the original orientation is best! Are you doing the research for your own edification or professionally? All the best for now and thanks again, Dickie

Unknown said...

Its something I'm doing in my spare time, but I'm a keen geneaologist, and former photographer and picture editor so its just my sort of thing :) 'Christina' isn't a neice or great neice on Mervyn's side (Mervyn was one of 10 children !), so looking at Mervyn's wife Florence at the moment and she does have neices and great neices who are candidates in terms of being approx correct age for 1913, but no one is actually named Christina, so the hunt continues. Have you seen the images of 'Christina' in the garden ? I'd be interested in any thoughts you might have about where the garden could be ... its been assumed Dorset http://www.ssplprints.com/image/135323/ogorman-mervyn-christina-by-the-pond-c-1913

All the best, and I'll keep you posted Abs