Otto Schweim (1894-1956)

An undated portrait of Otto Christian Theodor Schweim (1894-1956), taken in Kiel in Germany, probably around 1901. Photo by Studio Billström/Kiel, Scan © by Mark Zanzig/zanzig.com


The story behind the image

This historic photo shows my grandfather, Otto Schweim.

Otto was born in Kiel in Germany in 1894 when the military harbour was growing quickly. So it is no surprise that he showed early interest in the navy, and I can imagine him standing with his parents at the harbour of Kiel, watching the ships go by and dreaming of becoming a sailor.

This portrait shows him at the age of six or seven years in a navy uniform with a toy gun. The CdV (Carte de Visite) was taken at the Billström photo studio in Kiel, one of the early photographers in Kiel. Like most photographers at that time, Billström was popular and very busy. You will find countless CdV prints by Billström on eBay today.

Indeed, Otto joined the naval forces in January 1915 as an officer at the age of 20.


The high resolution image

Capture Dateabout 1901
LocationKiel, Germany
Image Source6 x 10 cm black & white CdV
Digital Image SourceEPSON Perfection 4870 Photo
Digital Image Source FormatTIFF, 48 bits/pixel, sRGB
Edited Image FormatJPEG, 24 bits/pixel, sRGB
Edited Image Dimensions2736 x 4104 Pixels
CopyrightPhoto by Studio Billström/Kiel,
Scan © by Mark Zanzig/zanzig.com

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