San Telmo
("Saint Pedro González Telmo") is the oldest barrio (neighborhood) of
Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is a well-preserved area of the Argentine
metropolis and is characterized by its colonial buildings. Cafes, tango parlors
and antique shops line the cobblestone streets, which are often filled with
artists and dancers. A street named the "Illuminated Block" is where
many of these important historical buildings can be found.
San Telmo's attractions include old churches (e.g. San Pedro
Telmo), museums, antique stores and a semi-permanent antique fair (Feria de
Antigüedades) in the main public square, Plaza Dorrego. Tango-related
activities for both locals and tourists are in the area.
Wikipedia
In our last trip to Buenos Aires in 2017 I made it a custom
to return to the old barrio of San Telmo on a Sunday. There are many Americans
there and I have the suspicion that they are looking for SS/Hitler memorabilia
among the wears displayed in the antiques market.
There is a store there that is dedicated to the Argentine
caramel called “dulce de leche”. Rosemary and I enjoyed a dulce de leche ice-cream
and we purchased some jars of San Ignacio Dulce de Leche which we deem to be the
best.
At one of the “puestos” I spotted an old box camera. I
haggled with the man and bought it for about ten Dollars. What was surprising
about this German-made camera which used 120 format film (taking pictures that
are 6x9 cms) was that there was roll of film in it. I was curious and promptly
forgot about it.
A week ago while suffering the doldrums of extended rainy
and grey days I wondered about the film.
I carefully wound the film back. When I took it out it was
Kodak Verichrome which I know to have been a b+w film introduced around 1912.
Of the camera I looked it up and found this:
A rectangular
metal box-camera type device with chrome edges, taking 6x9 images on 120 film;
made from c.1951 for Gevaert by Hermann Wolf GmbH, Wuppertal, Germany.
Single-speed + B shutter; f8 lens, stopping to f.11 & f.16, focusing 5ft-infinity; two waist-level viewfinders (for landscape and portrait formats).
The date of the introduction of my Gevabox means that the
startling nude photographs that were revealed when I processed the film in
Kodak HC-110 (8 minutes at 20 degrees in Dilution B) must have been taken soon
after. I have scanned here one that will not offend any in social media.