The First MIss Universe 1952, Finnish Beauty Armi Kuusela, with hubby Filipino businessman Virgilio Hilario in 1953

Colorized in two versions a damaged photo of the first Miss Universe Armi Kuusela, a 17-year old Finnish beauty who was bagged by a Pinoy as his wife in 1953. Here was Armi and the 25-year old Pinoy millionaire businessman Virgilio Hilario. Their romance story is online, no need to replicate it here. The whirlwind courtship ended up with Hilario gifting Armi with a 3-carat diamond engagement ring, a Cadillac and a wedding honeymoon in Tokyo. She was also the first Miss Universe to resign less than year before relinquishing the crown to the next, to get married to Hilario. Representative Ferdinand Marcos tried to attract her when they met at the Philippine senate, a year before meeting Imelda. Hilario died in 1975 leaving 5 kids with Armi, all settled in many places around the world. One of them lives in the Philippines.

Mata Hari in one of her erotic dance routines, ca 1906

Colorized a vintage photo of Mata Hari in one of her erotic dance routines.  This one is relatively tame as her other photos showed her nude or partly nude with just some jewels covering her neck and breasts.

 

Czarina Alexandra and Czar Nicholas ca 1908

Colorized a rather faded and dark vintage photo of the last Romanoff couple to rule over Imperial Russia.  Other photos suggest this was taken on a ship voyage or cruise ship.

Iron Breast, an American Indian from the Piegan tribe, by Edward S. Curtis, ca 1900

Colorized a portrait of Iron Breast, a Piegan American Native, wearing war bonnet, holding tomahawk and animal pelt draped over his arm.

 

Colorized American Cree Indian, ca 1915-17

Downloaded from the Canadian Historical Archives.  Could be a Canadian Indian.  

 

Colorized American Farmer in the Great Depression Years 1930s

Colorized this vintage photo of an American farmer in the 1930s depression years, whose property was optioned by the US Resettlement Administration in Oneida County, Idaho, Taken circa 1937 by Russell Lee.

American Native Shoshone warrior Gor-osimp. ca 1884-5

Colorized a native American Indian by the the name of Gor-osimp of the Shoshone tribe, circa 1884-85.  Composited a few gold coins, a Colt revolver and a native orbweave for the braided dangle (not really sure what it was, as it could be a shiny metal or oyster shell).  Detailed the beaded neck wear as well.

 

A back-breaking kiss

Colorized a 1950s photo of a couple parting and making a last goodbye kiss.  (The guy could be going to the Korean war or to be stationed in a far base.)

 

Can't Wait to Get Home for Christmas

Colorized a vintage photo of a Parisian boy running home carrying a baguette or stollen bread (often served during Christmas), taken by Willy Ronis, circa 1952.

Ageless French Kiss

Here's my colorized take on two kids with what looks like the start of wonderful relationship, a vintage photo circa 1950s

Clark Gable and his 1936 Duesenberg SJ Convertible

Colorized a photo of Clark Gable in his 1936 Duesenberg convertible with body works customized by Bohman & Schwartz.  This car was quite well-preserved to this day. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ch0OqM5m3vc&feature=youtu.be

Colorized Judy Garland Photo 1943

This is my colorized take of Judy Garland from a promotional still of her movie "Presenting Lily Mars" released by MGM in 1943

The Report Card

Colorized a vintage photo from a renown British street photographer Roger Mayne  (1929 - 2014) who built some reputation taking street photos depicting post-war London street scenes and stolen shots of people in poor communities. (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/10901219/Roger-Mayne-obituary.html ). I just titled this photo "The Report Card" clearly written on what the kid was holding, possibly causing his depression while he gets some consolation from a street dog. As usual, extensive creative liberties drove a lot of guesswork greatly aided by the fact that the dark shadow parts revealed enough  information when lightened.

The Star Bus Line Co. with orphan kids in an excursion circa 1923

Here is my colorized take on the Star Bus Line Co. with orphan kids in an excursion circa 1923. The bus is a Mack Model AB built by the International Motor Truck Company that started in 1914. Nothing else is known about the picture other than what is obvious - those kids were having the times of their lives while the driver even allowed a couple of kids to the front to play with the wheel.. Used creative liberties on every aspect of the original vintage photo. In short, it's all guesswork.

Colorized Ava Gardner 1946

Didn't notice I haven't posted this from the start. This was my earliest colorization effort and the first for a vintage Hollywood celebrity back in Feb 2016. The promo still was from her 1946 movie "The Killers" with Burt Lancaster. I took some liberties on the dress which was really black, but I preferred it red, than added some sparkle on her ring.