Edward, Prince of Wales photomontage. RPPC. Private Collection.
When I got this photo postcard I was excited about two things; it combines early 20’s men’s fashion with a beautiful street view of Montreal. I had no idea who the man was, although he looked vaguely familiar.
But when I posted it here, Kate of the Photobooth Journal, mentioned his uncanny resemblance to King Edward VIII…Well, yes, it happens to be a photo of King Edward VIII! At least from when he was Prince of Wales, and…it is a photomontage!
The Prince of Wales did spend a few years in Canada in the early 20’s, but he did not pose for this street candid!
Here’s the original of the Prince on a boat. I was shocked, and then I laughed. I got duped by an early 1920’s “photoshop”! They even changed his cane’s position! Still a beautiful, expertly done photograph. I’m impressed.
Source: kingedwardviii.tumblr.com
You can also see the sign for the Allen Theater, once at 698 St. Catherine West (now a less grand Five Guys burger joint). The Allen was bought and renamed The Palace in 1922. St. Catherine West was a hub of movie-going and nighttime entertainment.
Restored image © Caroline E. Ryan
RPPC: AZO squares 1926-1940s. (Data from Playle.com, but this shows AZO squares were available in 1923)
Bowlers And High Collars 
March 4th, 2016 at 5:58 pm
Hi Caroline,
He really reminds of of King Edward VIII. I even wondered if it actually was him. Maybe it is just a similar fashion sense.
I have had to stop myself branching out into yet another collecting stream, as I adore photos of people walking along streets. I love the action, as most snaps of this era and beyond, were very static. I also love the story of the itinerant photographers (and their equipment) who took this type of photo.
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March 4th, 2016 at 6:05 pm
He does look like him! Hmm…I thought this could be a postcard, but there is no number or publisher name. I wonder now if he visited Montreal. I don’t see him walking by himself, so if it is him the men behind him were with him. I’ll have to look into this!
I love people on streets too. I know what you mean…I can’t get into paper moons, I’ll be broke in no time. lol!
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March 4th, 2016 at 10:43 pm
Oh, Kate. The mystery is now solved. I changed my post and mentioned you. *still laughing*
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March 4th, 2016 at 6:01 pm
Not to mention the fantastic period detail of cars and buildings these pics often show. I suppose I could look more at straight street scenes of these eras, but if their are no people in them, I lose interest very quickly.
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March 4th, 2016 at 6:22 pm
Me too. The people make the streets. Another world entirely. Sometimes I Google Street view the same streets and so much has changed architecturally, and not for the better. -sigh-
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March 5th, 2016 at 4:23 am
Wow, oh wow! That is extraordinary! Together we have found and solved a mystery. Who would have thought this was a doctored image! Great sluthing, Caroline. Thanks for mentioning me. I am chuffed.
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March 5th, 2016 at 9:25 am
You’re welcome, it’s the least I could do!
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