Vintage Camera Discovery Sparks Search for Ski Trip Participants

An amateur photographer in England recently purchased a vintage Zeiss Ikon Baby Ikonta camera from a thrift shop for $13. Upon examining the camera, he discovered a roll of undeveloped film dating back approximately 70 years. The photographer took the camera to Salisbury Photo Center in Wiltshire, where staff members carefully developed the film, revealing images from a ski trip in St. Moritz, Switzerland, likely taken in the late 1950s.

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The developed negatives depict a group, possibly a family, enjoying winter sports. Notable images include a smiling woman in ice skates in front of the iconic Badrutt’s Palace Hotel, a landmark established in 1896. The film used, Verichrome Pan 127, was released in 1956, and the skiers are seen wearing bibs with the name “Cow & Gate,” a British baby formula company that sponsored the Cow & Gate Ski Trophy during that era. Ian Scott, the general manager of the photo center, expressed enthusiasm about the find, stating, “These are amazing... What a glimpse into the past!”

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Despite the intriguing nature of the photographs, identifying the individuals remains a challenge. Staff at the thrift store, Alabaré Wilton Emporium, noted that donors typically leave items without providing information about their origins, complicating efforts to trace the owners. Faye Tryhorn, a spokesperson for Alabaré, remarked, “It’s lovely that we have these donations in, but quite often that means it’s difficult to trace back where they’ve come from.” Scott has actively sought assistance through social media and local news outlets, hoping someone might recognize a face in the images.

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Scott has experience in solving similar photographic mysteries. In a previous case, he assisted Oliver Barnes, an antique camera enthusiast, in processing film found in a 100-year-old Pocket Kodak. That film revealed a gathering in Chipping Sodbury, England, connected to the Good sisters, the first surviving quadruplets born via C-section. Scott noted, “At the very least, it has been a privilege to have played a small part in preserving these moments from the past.”

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The discovery of the undeveloped film has not only provided a window into a bygone era but also sparked a community effort to uncover the identities of those captured in the photographs. As the search continues, the story of the ski trip remains a captivating mystery, inviting anyone with information to come forward.

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