Kodacolor was one of the first colour print films- meaning that the finished photos were put into an album or picture frame instead of being projected onto a wall (i.e. slide film). Kodacolor was introduced in 1942, but the war meant that it wasn't widely available until the 1950s.

Unlike slide film, print film tends to be a bit more tolerant of mistakes in exposure- hence why the ad promoted that 'any camera' could use it- even the simple snapshot models which didn't have the controls to cope with slide film. But, because making prints from negatives cost a lot of money, most colour film photographers still used slide film.

All this was only relevant if you could afford colour film at all- up until the late 1950s many snapshooters stuck with black and white. However, by the mid 1970s over 90% of snapshots taken in Western Countries were in colour. Cheaper processing meant that at lots of these were now print films.

The original Kodacolour print film was discontinued in 1963, so we know that this slide was made before then. The 'Kodacolour' name was still being used for colour films right up until the end of the 1980s.

A 1950s advertisement for Langtry's Pharmacy boasts of their photo developing service which could return your film in twenty four hours. Online records suggest that Langtry's shop was demolished in 1975, but this is to be confirmed.

The art of the 'silly cat photo' so beloved by the internet dates back to the 1870s. Cats have been seen dressed up in suits (one even had a monocle on!) and were often accompanied by silly captions. 

This cat doesn't look at all pleased to be in it's photograph. As an image it lacks technical polish- the shadow of the photographer intrudes into the image. A hand (soon to be scratched, maybe?) holds the unwilling feline still. The whole thing is overexposed. 

While it wouldn't win any awards, snapshots like this are some of the most pure slices of life ever to be recorded. Even better, it is a magic lantern projector slide- it took effort to make it. So someone, somewhere saw the photo and thought 'that is worth keeping'. 

But it probably wasn't the cat.

Although magic lantern slides were most famously used professionally by schools, universities, churches and lobby groups they were also used by amateur photographers. The glass slides, 'masks' for displaying the image and fixing chemicals could be bought from local photography stores. Anyone with darkroom could have a go.

What makes this slide unusual is that it is in colour- by this stage, most amateurs had abandoned magic lantern slides in favour of smaller, 35mm film. The car's number plates are pre-1964 which gives us an idea of the last date this slide could have been made.

Regardless of how it was captured, this photograph is of a wonderful 'Kiwi' caravan holiday. Where it was taken remains a mystery. 

Dora Adkin and Ron Law sitting on motorbike on beach with boys on horses in background.

Photographed Wednesday December 26 1917 at Hokio Beach.

From Te Papa Collection:

http://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/ObjectDetails.aspx?oid=123403

Child on a home made rocking horse?

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Written on back with blue ballpoint pen: “(3) M.D. Father Branaghan Outside Club Hotel.”

Penciled on back: “c / 8”

Father Branaghan standing beside a car outside the Club Hotel, Shannon.

1 B&W photo print, copy

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Mother and baby.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Three sisters Diane, Kathy, and Pirihira are pictured here with the 'Platters'.The Warren Sisters were known for their harmonious voices. The sisters come from a family that was very musical, as most of their brothers and sisters played and sang in bands.

Man in Period Costume

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Penciled on back – Otaki

Written on back with blue ballpoint pen – Otaki 3c

Man & woman (unidentified) 1 B&W photo print

Man (left) wearing knitted wool cloak & dark glasses. Woman (right) wearing torn sack cloak & dark glasses.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Written on back with blue ballpoint pen: “Back row Harry Whibley, Gwen Stuart-Forbes Lf to rt, 1920’s Jacky Charles, Clarry Satherly, Pearl Satherly, Sandy Logan, Athur Satherly & Brian Clayton”

NOTE – spelling: Satherly (on back of photo) but Satherley (on info sheet)

Eight children in fancy dress representing Ireland at Empire Day celebrations, c.1920. Harry's mother was a dressmaker (who owned a camera" and his father worked at flax mill. Harry was wearing a green waistcoat and Gwen wore a green dress and had shamrocks in her hair. Costumes made by Mrs Wibbley.

Photo taken behind present Fire Station Grey Street, Shannon.

The children pose with Harry Whibley’s six pet rabbits. Those in the photograph are from left to right:-

Back Row : Harry Wibbley and Gwen Stuart-Forbes. Front Row: Jackie Charles, Clarry Satherley, Pearl Satherley, Sandy Logan, Arthur Satherley & Brian Clayton.

1 Colour photo print, copy (of sepia tone original)

NOTE – spelling: Satherly (on back of photo) but Satherley (on info sheet)

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Inscription on reverse reads: “Helen Simpson with Mr J Corry cutting the ribbon at the opening of North School 1954”

Helen Simpson cuts the ribbon held by Mr Corry to open Levin North School in 1954. An unidentified man stands to the right of the photograph.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Elizabeth Swan and baby daughter Bronwyn (3 months), May 1971

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The Swans of Wahroonga

Elizabeth Swan and her children, 1975

David, Stephen, Bronwyn and Fiona.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Grandmother (?) holding baby

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Young woman sitting on lawn.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Shirley Sunley at Shanon sub station.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Black and white photograph.

Larry Sykes, a magician who resided at Foxton Beach 1980-90s.

Black and white photograph.

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Man on a rope ladder

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Ernie & Dorothy Cresswell on Molly the Shetland Pony.

c. 1945

Ernie Gates and Dorothy Lawson. "The Wreck Book" by Steve KLocker-Lampson & Ian Francis gives a brief history of the wreck. Copyright prohibits me copying this information at present. Except to say it has been at Waitarere, since 24th June 1878.

Ernie, David, Norman (father) Dawne Gates & Ivan Lawton, who was from the USA 7 was based at Kimberley Air Force Base in Levin, had a delayed action Camera which was used for this Picture.

Written on back with black ballpoint pen – 10 / 1965

Children’s section, Levin Public Library, 1965 1 B&W photo print

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Penciled below photo, as caption: “Summer Holidays.”

Written on back with blue ballpoint pen: “Hydrabad about 1930.”

View of seaward side of the shipwreck “Hydrabad”, looking north from the rear of the wreck with the tide washing against it. There are a number of people on the wreck and swimming in the sea.

1 B&W photo print, mounted

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

This photo was scanned from one owned by Bob Ayson of Foxton. Unfortunately we still need to name it.