Need help deciphering old faded writing!

hachaliah · #1 03-14-2008, 09:46 AM

Hi everyone. I'm a long time lurker around here, just absorbing as much technique I can from everyone. It has been exceptionally helpful. Now I need to ask for some suggestions or ideas... or to be told to just give it up. Here's the situation:

I have an old photograph of my great-great grandfather that I absolutely love. He is kind of a mystery to me, as he died at the age of 27, only four years after getting married. Based on the condition of the photograph (it's a cabinet card or something similar in size and weight), this photo was always kept close by by my great-grandmother for many years as it was the only connection she had to her father. She was barely one year old when he died. Anyway, on the back of the picture is faint writing. It looks like some sort of list or something, but I can't make out any of the words. I have tinkered and adjusted to the best of my ability to try to bring out at least one or two of the words enough so that they are legible without any luck.

At this point I'd be happy to decipher one of the words to see if what is written on the back has any relevance to the man himself. I couldn't tell you what the writing might even be - I know there are words, but as far as content it could be his estate or it could be a shopping list.

Any ideas? I've attached a basic scan of the image, and I have also put the full 5MB version up HERE in case you'd like to look at it with a little more scale.
Help! And thanks for everything you guys do here.
--Brian--

Michel B · #2 03-14-2008, 10:09 AM

See here:
http://mbret.club.fr/bretchermichel/BeattieBack1.jpg
It's upside down.
Levels and extracting red channel.
Rows of figures on each side... For the rest, I can't help.

Dave.Cox · #3 03-14-2008, 10:41 AM

Here is what I could do with it. Maybe you can decipher some it from here.

0lBaldy · #4 03-14-2008, 01:10 PM

Probably not much help but tis the best I could do..
Takes a while to load Larger version: (here)

e-six · #5 03-14-2008, 01:22 PM

This might work....
duplicate layer>
selective color adjustment layer>
adjust the neutrals

Full size. It's a big one, yet it might help.here it is

FWIW, it looks like a list for supplies.

0lBaldy · #6 03-14-2008, 02:04 PM

e-six... Welcome to RetouchPro! Kudos! WOW!! Kewl

..

That is much easier and way more readable..Thanks for that!

e-six · #7 03-14-2008, 03:17 PM

It's always the "second try" that works.
Thanks for the Kudos

Cameraken · #8 03-14-2008, 04:24 PM

The 'list' total looks like £2.27. Which would mean that this has been written since decimalisation in 1971.

Ken.

Kraellin · #9 03-14-2008, 10:09 PM

not that mine is any better, but perhaps it will show some parts others didnt, where other's show parts that mine doesnt.

and welcome to RetouchPRO, Hachiliah.

mfischer · #10 03-15-2008, 04:12 AM

a possible solution without photoshop:
try to look at the original under a UV lightsource