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[ORIGINAL POST]
May 10, 2025
Last week I picked up some developing gear off Facebook Marketplace, and tucked away in one of the extra boxes was a small Paterson developing tank. I unscrewed the lid—just curious—and saw there was still film spiraled on the reel.
Even more surprising? It had images on it.
I couldn’t believe it. Did someone really develop this and just… forget about it? Or maybe it got lost in a move. Either way, there’s a real chance I might be the first person to ever see these photos. My mind immediately went to wild possibilities—maybe it’s lost history. The Babushka Lady’s angle showing flashes from the grassy knoll. Mallory and Irvine standing atop Everest. Some forgotten masterpiece.
Instead, it’s a St. Louis family’s holiday party from the 1950s.
Honestly? Still kind of magic.
If anyone has any information on the people or location in the photos, would love an assist in helping to return these to the family
[ UPDATE #1 ]
July 23, 2025
I reached out to the American Czech Education Center, sent them the pics and they immediately started recognizing faces! While I wasn't able to meet with the widow of one of the men in the pictures, I brought their group extra prints and spent a wonderful afternoon learning about their history and reminiscing on the photos.
[ UPDATE #2 ]
Sep 28, 2025
This weekend, I went to grab another development tank and found one from the same lot that the original negatives were found in. Unscrewed the top and what do you know, there's another roll of Super XX still spooled on the reel. I scanned them and sent them to the family this morning but dropping the latest finds below -
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