Shots of Hollywood greats in the frame for the first time
Thousands of images, including pictures of Audrey Hepburn and Dirk Bogarde taken by photographer George Douglas, were discovered at his Brighton home by neighbour and fellow photographer Roger Bamber, who inherited the property following his friend’s death.
The negatives, which had not seen the light of day for years, include images from the 1940s to the 1960s of Gary Cooper, former US president Harry Truman, Roger Moore and Peter Sellers.
There are also social and historical images of the period, including the Queen’s rat-catcher and Britain’s first female chimney sweep, Mr Bamber said.
Just 30 pictures from the archive will go on display at Mr Douglas’ former home in Sillwood Rd as part of the Artists Open Houses festival in May.
Photographer Nigel Swallow, who is now living in the property, said he is expecting it to take him at least a year for himself and Mr Bamber to sort through the photographs, and that he has taken advice as to how it can be properly archived.
Mr Swallow said: “It’s something that should be taken very good care of and I am chuffed that I have been asked to look after the archive.
“The first priority is making sure we preserve George’s work.”
Mr Douglas, whose nickname was Speedy George for his fast-paced work ethic, worked for many years at Picture Post magazine.
He spent much of his time in California, but would spend his summers in Brighton, Mr Bamber said.
He retired to live in his house full-time in 2007 until his death in December 2010 at the age of 88.
Mr Bamber said Mr Douglas, who was born in Rottingdean, East Sussex, but moved to Dallas, Texas, in 1939, trained in aeronautical design engineering but his heart was not in it.
He said: “The Leica camera he bought from a pawnshop consumed his spare time and once he had sold his first picture, for $30 he handed in his notice.”
*
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
