Lombardi - 1915?

[Jonesy1965]

Does anyone know where this photo of my ancestors was taken? The poster on the left is advertising the Electric Theatre which opened in 1909 and I would guess that this photo was taken about 1915.
Any help would be really appreciated.
Thanks!

[Phil]

Hi Jonesey
 
It seems you suffered a little problem in uploading your photo, if you follow the instructions here you should have no problems.
 
http://www.birminghamforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,4681.0.html
 
I'm sure if the members can see you photo, someone will be able help, in the meantime welcome to the forum.
 
Phil
 
 
 

[Jonesy1965]

 
Hope this works! Better late than never ...... Thanks Phil 

[Phil]

Hi Jonesy
 
What a great photo, sorry I can't help with the location. It doesn't look like any part of the Italian quarter I remember. I'm assuming that it's some sort of a restaurant, but I can find no trace of it in the Trade Directories I have from that era. Perhaps Mikejee might be able to come up with something. The other thing is, are you sure it's Birmingham?

[mikejee]

I'm afraid I cannot find anything either. i have chaecked the directories and the telephone directory (though not many had phones) for that period and all i can find is The lombard Rim & Tube co, no Lombardi
Mike

[Phil]

Mike
 
It doesn't quite have the look of Birmingham to me, I wonder if Jonesy's ancestors were Italian because they certainly have that look and I wonder if they were related to the Lomardi who is supposed to have introduced the pizza to America?

[roy one]

  looking at the dress style and the way the photo was developed its an early plate negative  took with a poor flash possibly powder in flash tray   at a guess i would say it was took in the u.s.a not that i know any thing about photography at all so looking at the style of the men the way they dress its a u.s.a style

[Jonesy1965]

They were not Italian but 2nd and third generation Polish Jews. The older gentleman with the 'tash is my great great grandfather and he was at one time a photographer. He was born and raised in Birmingham and moved to London when he was married although most of his children were born in Birmingham and the surrounding areas. This is one of the main reasons I thought it was in Birmingham in addition to the poster which is advertising a local theatre.
Let me know if you need any more info and thanks to all  !

[Phil]

Jonesy
 
The problem is the local theatre you mention was the Electric Cinema owned by Electric Theatres (1908) Ltd who were based in London and who had many such theatres in many City's.
 
There was an Electric Theatre on Coventry Rd, Small Heath also owned by Electric Theatres (1908) Ltd, but it was renamed The Casino after a short while and it was replaced by the Grange Cinema.