Reversed image photos

[prewarsports]

The editors did not print the photos so a photographers error is highly unlikely. These photographs would have been developed by the photographer themselves (or a developer that worked on behalf of all the photographers at specific agency). You would order prints from the service and could specify whether you wanted them reversed or not as some papers were heavier into engraving. Many times the service or the receiving paper would make note that a photo was "Reversed" and sometimes there were even stamps that would say "Reversed for Engraving" on them. If it is a press photo from an agency with a stamp on the back and it is reversed, it was absolutely intended to be reversed. I get why sometimes people don't like them (if it looks like Babe Ruth is coming home from First base for example after a Home Run) but they are really interesting pieces of photographic history.

These were big in the late 1910's through the 1920's and were obsolete with newer technology that made printing photographs by newspapers easier by the 1930's (and with the wider use of Wire Photo Technology).

[billyb]

Rhys,
Thanks for all the information. Thanks to everyone for all the input.

[thecatspajamas]

Originally Posted by prewarsports

The editors did not print the photos so a photographers error is highly unlikely. These photographs would have been developed by the photographer themselves (or a developer that worked on behalf of all the photographers at specific agency). You would order prints from the service and could specify whether you wanted them reversed or not as some papers were heavier into engraving.

Good point, and I hadn't considered the engraving angle and reversed prints actually being used as part of the printing process in some instances. Can I recant my earlier statement about all reversed prints being goofs?

[Lordstan]

I have one. I got it pretty inexpensively.




As has been stated already, I think in most cases the value would be less than the correct print.

I guess this guy disagrees...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Babe-Ruth-Lo...p2047675.l2557

LOL

[billyb]

Mark,
That is a nice photo. I understand that the reverse image is not valued much at all, but a photo like that is hard not to throw a few dollars in that direction. Mark, I don't blame you al all for grabbing that one.

[JoeyF1981]

I definitely disagree that reverse image photos are considerably less valuable. The image is still original and depicts an actual event. For instance a reverse image of let's say Joe Jackson where maybe the team logo was reversed would still sell for thousands. I guess it's all up to the buyer. I don't believe they're for beginners or someone on a budget. It's a original image from the period.

[billyb]

Joey,
I know how you feel, but these above experts have been at it for a while and have given good advice. Although some were done for a purpose, seeing Gehrig or Ruth bat and throw right handed, just seems wrong. They may have some value, depending also on the content. Not so sure of in the thousands. I know that some may say, a Ruth is a Ruth, a Gehrig is a Gehrig, but when the player himself is altered, by reversing the image, then it just is not a true Ruth or Gehrig. It would show well if you hang a photo like that across from a mirror.
The above Gehrig has great content, and I would throw some money at that photo anytime.

[JoeyF1981]

Originally Posted by billyb

Joey,
I know how you feel, but these above experts have been at it for a while and have given good advice. Although some were done for a purpose, seeing Gehrig or Ruth bat and throw right handed, just seems wrong. They may have some value, depending also on the content. Not so sure of in the thousands. I know that some may say, a Ruth is a Ruth, a Gehrig is a Gehrig, but when the player himself is altered, by reversing the image, then it just is not a true Ruth or Gehrig. It would show well if you hang a photo like that across from a mirror.
The above Gehrig has great content, and I would throw some money at that photo anytime.

I just recently bought one that I just posted on the pickups thread which shows Ruth crossing home plate and has gehrig and some other guys there to celebrate. It only shows the numbers on the back of the jerseys as reversed. That to me is no big deal at all