An angler who hooked an antique camera while out fishing has appealed for help after trying to find its owner.
Tony Boyle was enjoying a pleasant day out with his two children on the River Finn at Donnyloop.
He bent down to pick up some grass at his feet to wipe off his fishing rod when he noticed a black strap sticking out of the riverbank.
He pulled it out of the ground and discovered it was a camera case – with a Kodak Instamatic 124 camera inside.
The camera, which was made in America, dates back form the late 1960s.
Since his discovery, Tony’s discovery has now brought him on a search to America and back in an attempt to find its owner.
A surprised Tony said “It was soaking wet. I didn’t know what it was. I pulled the strap and lo and behold it came out.”
Tony took the camera home to his house in Clady, Strabane to examine his find further.
When it dried out he discovered an identification card inside with an address in New York.
In between Tony contacted Fuji who asked him for a serial number from the film in the camera to see if they could process it.
He was delighted when the film giant contacted him and then processed a number of black and white shots.
The pictures show a number of pictures of people posing at a farm gate and also in front of a car.
Tony was delighted and showed the pictures to many people but still had no success.
“I showed the pictures to my parents and they felt they recognised someone from them.
“They told me to ask my uncle but he didn’t recognise the people in the photo either. The man in the picture looks very familiar – he could be anyone’s grandfather,” said Tony.
Frustrated, Tony then decided to contact the person named on the identity card in the camera case.
He sent some of the developed black and white pictures and a letter to Tiffany Harrison, 7 Brook Lane, Milford, New York.
But he was left even more frustrated when a few weeks later his letter was returned saying the street name did not exist.
“I really want to find the owner. It must be of sentimental value to them. It would also give me peace of mind,” said Tony.
