THE 3rd CAR PRODUCED BY VOLVO. Swedish Cyprus Archaeological Expedition 1927-1931.

The car is now back in the Volvo car Museum.

In 1927-1931 Prof. Einar Gjeistad did his thesis on Archaeology in Cyprus. During this time the Crown Prince of Sweden Gustav VI visited the expedition. Prior to his arrival the then newly set up car manufacturer Volvo sent their third production car to Cyprus so that the Crown Prince could be driven around the island. My Grandfather, who worked for the expedition, also had the job of driving the Crown Prince. They are both seen here and I believe the Prince is the one on the left in a white costume sitting down. Prof. Gjeistad went on to become a world authority in archaeology and his methods are followed right up until today. This expedition brought to light countless finds, archaeological treasures that mapped the history of the island. These finds, most of them restored by my Grandfather, are housed in the Nicosia Archaeological Museum. The Swedish share of the finds, a whole boat load, was transported to Stockholm accompanied by my Grandfather, where the restoration continued. They are housed today in the Medelhavsmuseet in Stockholm and they are the only legitimate antiquities outside of Cyprus. My Grandfather went on to become its first curator until his retirement. The expedition’s Swedish photographer took around 8000 photos which are also in the archives of the Museum in Stockholm. I have lots of original copies that were given to my grandfather at the time and of course over the years they needed restoration. I have done that and I will be posting some of them for whoever is interested.

 

 

 

 

well done

Excellent idea Dimitri and very interesting subject to deal with. I should suggest you, besides your postings to PN, to make a special web page and put on it the photos and their history. It will be very convenient for those interested in. I have done this for my family's old documents from Corfu and Venice (since 1430) and it is very successful. Have a look at

http://marios-archives.blogspot.com/

 

Regards, Marios

When I first saw the photo I wondered why it was posted as it os obviously not taken by yourself unless it was a costume drama. However the story is totally fascinating and I'm sure lots of us want to know more.

Are there old photos - you could photograph them today and let us see the diferences - creating some more history for the future.

Best wishes

 

Jeffrey, your comment is deeply appreciated,warm regards, Dimitris.

 

Marie, you are the one that basically gave me the idea with ‘’the back story’’. All of us have ancestral back stories to tell and since we are interested in photography, what better way to do it with. Photography is a visual narrative, artistic or not. Most of these old photos have very little artistic value but some of them have a back story attached to them that can be interesting to a lot of us. I am very interested in history, as you know, and the above little story, has tremendous implications on the archaeological world and history of the 20th Century in general. Toulis happened to be my grandfather and who better to tell this particular story. Prof. Gjeistad who was the leader of the Archaeological expedition said in his obituary on Toulis in 1972 that was published in a Stockholm news paper, that the most important find in Cyprus was this man. Toulis amongst other things negotiated the purchase of land for the digs with the local peasants and you can imagine how difficult that was dealing, with mostly illiterate people who were full of prejudices and mistrust against foreigners. He was responsible for hiring and training local labour for the digs. He was the factotum of the expedition as far as I can tell. But most of all he developed extreme skill in piecing together fragments of archaeological finds.I had a look at your family archive Marie. Sheilagh wants to do the same. What caught my eye was you’re your Hellenic Conservatoir book where you studied the violin. I also went there In 1964 and I studied opera singing with Mrs Spiliopoulou. But that’s another story. Warm regards, Dimitris.

 

 

 

Terry, nice of you to comment. The answer to Marios Lefterioti’s comment would give you some more information about the ‘’back story’’ of the picture. I will be posting some more archive pictures that I have restored at least on my page. I will also be posting some more pictures of the Swedish Cyprus archaeological expedition 1925-1931 as I think they are of some interest. Warm regards.Dimitris.

Dimitri

 

I'm deeply moved with your memories on the archaeological digging facts in Cyprus by your grandfather Toulis. There are so many things you can do with all these.., even editing and publishing a book, or telling the story to the press, or making a short video and uploading it on the web, or.. or..It's up to you to find the most convenient way to let the others inform of this so interesting story..

 

Regards, Marios

Very nice. Best regards Antino

excellent series. i like aged pictures always. are there more ? i like to see them all. maybe you can consider publish them. congrats.

Thank you Marie. In fact there is a book, It is called: An archaeological adventure in Cyprus. Published by the Mediterranean Museum in Stockholm. It tells the story of the digs and it contains many photos of the event. The Museum also made a documentary film of the expedition.I will try and get hold of the documentary and upload it on the web.

Thank you, antino. I appreciate your comment. Best regards, Dimitris.

Thank you Chan. Yes there is more and I will be posting some in the future. Best regards.

this is really a wonderful idea vre. well done