Lifted from Mick and today’s ephemera, some eye-catching apparel.
The imposing gentleman is Mohammed Alim Khan, Emir of Bukhara and supposedly a direct descendant of Genghis Khan. As photographed in 1911 by Sergey Prokudin-Gorsky, whose pioneering colour images deserve investigation.
Not everyone could wear a coat like that. The photos are amazing.
Posted by: rjmadden | June 18, 2010 at 16:50
“Not everyone could wear a coat like that.”
Yes, and combined with those boots it might almost look... girly. If not for the sword.
Posted by: David | June 18, 2010 at 17:03
He's clearly a fat, ill, poof
Posted by: DavidNcl | June 18, 2010 at 18:58
Is he a founding Evil INC member? He has a Gold Illuminati badge!
Posted by: AC1 | June 18, 2010 at 22:09
For some reason I’m reminded of Captain Pugwash. Maybe it’s the boots and the physique.
Posted by: David | June 18, 2010 at 22:49
Captain Pugwash? Oh no. Surely Abdul Abulbul Amir...
http://wonderingminstrels.blogspot.com/2000/03/abdul-abulbul-amir-percy-french.html
Posted by: Horace Dunn | June 18, 2010 at 23:18
"I saw it in the window, and just had to have it."
Posted by: Wm T Sherman | June 19, 2010 at 07:36
I can't see him galloping on a horse and firing an arrow backwards.
Posted by: Rob | June 19, 2010 at 10:04
These are wonderful photos. Amazingly vivid. They have a sort of stereoscopic feel to them -- Mohammed and his fabulous dressing-gown appear to be on a different visual plane to the concrete wall. I'm glad that the photoshop boffs didn't try and make them too natural or blended. The hyper-real quality is very attractive.
Posted by: witwoud | June 19, 2010 at 10:47
Those photos are awesome. We tend to think of the past as black-and-white, or sepia-tone, but (pace Calvin's Dad) of course it wasn't. Victorian houses had eye-thrashingly colorful paint jobs, clothing was vivid, and even advertising was garish and gonzo.
The Russian photos of central Asia could almost be taken today -- just add some AK-47s and cover the faces of the women.
Posted by: Trimegistus | June 19, 2010 at 13:26