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Grandfather at the Sphinx

Submitted by andykeck on Tue, 07/22/2008 - 10:09pm.
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Here's my grandfather at the Sphinx in May 1945, plus or minus a month or so. I've recently run across a stash of his photos and am slowly working my way through scanning them. Sadly, he wasn't much for labeling his photos unless these have fallen out of an album I haven't uncovered yet, so beyond some of the more obvious landmarks, it's difficult to impossible place the photo in time and space. This one's easy though. As a C-47 pilot (https://www.shorpy.com/node/4003) based in Naples at this point, he made several trips to various North African destinations, apparently with enough time to take in the sights now and again. His photographer is never identified, but seems to put a little more thought into the composition than your average snapshot-taker. I showed this photo to my wife. "Where _is_ he?" she exclaimed. I want to believe that she was really wanting to know more about _why_ he was there than his actual location. I told her it was the Luxor in Vegas.

Here's my grandfather at the Sphinx in May 1945, plus or minus a month or so. I've recently run across a stash of his photos and am slowly working my way through scanning them. Sadly, he wasn't much for labeling his photos unless these have fallen out of an album I haven't uncovered yet, so beyond some of the more obvious landmarks, it's difficult to impossible place the photo in time and space.

This one's easy though. As a C-47 pilot (https://www.shorpy.com/node/4003) based in Naples at this point, he made several trips to various North African destinations, apparently with enough time to take in the sights now and again. His photographer is never identified, but seems to put a little more thought into the composition than your average snapshot-taker.

I showed this photo to my wife. "Where _is_ he?" she exclaimed. I want to believe that she was really wanting to know more about _why_ he was there than his actual location. I told her it was the Luxor in Vegas.

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Permission Request

Submitted by JeffBuzz on Fri, 06/20/2014 - 1:58am.

Hi Andy,

Great photo!

My name is Jeff Burzacott.

I publish a Facebook page called 'Hieroglyphica' (40,000+ fans).

I would love to post the photo of your grandfather in front of the Sphinx on the Hieroglyphica page and am writing to request your permission.

If it’s not too much trouble, I am also hoping you’ll be able to help me and shoot me a larger-format version so the image is as crisp as it can be. Naturally you will be given due credit.

My email address is burzacott@bigpond.com

If you'd like to check out ‘Hieroglyphica’ first, here is the link:
http://www.facebook.com/Hieroglyphica.Ancient.Egypt.Revealed

Let me know if you're OK with this - or otherwise - and any conditions you would like to see.

Once again, fantastic photo.

Kind regards,

Jeff Burzacott
Adelaide, Australia

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War damage

Submitted by andykeck on Wed, 07/23/2008 - 10:07pm.

Thanks for that link. I've wondered what exactly was wrong with that photo and it didn't click until your response. Doesn't seem to be much info out on the net about what was being attempted so perhaps an actual library trip is in order.

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Scaffolding

Submitted by jnc on Wed, 07/23/2008 - 11:44am.

Great picture. The scaffolding is interesting, must have been during a restoration period.

Edit: There is a contemporary photo saying the Sphinx is "'buttressed against war damage in the 1940’s."

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