Are you familiar with the photographic legacy of Albert Kahn yet?
I think you might be interested to be.
The nine episode documentary series on the subject is being broadcasted at the moment here in Finland, and it is all mindblowing stuff: the world of 100 years ago - in vivid colour (and I mean vivid, not faded).
like this:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dalbera/2792132351/
or, moreover, like this:
http://www.albertkahn.co.uk/photos/Far% ... ndia_3.jpg
http://www.albertkahn.co.uk/