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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: Laine on Saturday 05 July 08 03:46 BST (UK)
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Please can anyone help me by dating this photo from the wearer's dress. My only info I have is that the lady is my grandfather's father's grandmother, but this would mean around the late 1700's/early 1800's when I doubt photos were in existence.
Laine
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Hi Laine, what a wonderful photo...judging by the hair and dress I would guess at about early to mid 1880s...the hairstyle still has a severe center part, but the fussy 1870s look doesn't seem to be there...and the puffy shoulder seam of 1889 isn't there either. So maybe 1883-1885 or so. Just my opinion, you may get others.
You're right about the dating of photography...the first photo was 1829 and the exposure took several hours, and commercial photography didn't come about until ten years later and was mostly on glass. The quality of this photo is so good it has to be much later. Could you scan the entire photo including the mount, including the corners, and if there is a design on the back that would be helpful in dating as well. Lovely photo!
Cheers,
China
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Hi China
This isn't the original photo - it is a restored copy of the original done by a pro photographer, that's why it looks so good. The original is with my cousin and I have asked her to e-mail me a scan of the original - I can't remember if there was a mount or not. If it's date is around the early 1880's then it would have to be my grandfather's father's mother and not his grandmother. I'll post the original when I get it. In the meantime thanks for your help.
Regards Laine
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Hi China
Here is the original photo of the one I am trying to put a date to. The back of the photo in very, very tiny print says:
W. HERMANN &
CO
BERLIN
Any help much appreciated.
Laine
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Hi Laine
I think this might be the photographer:
the photographer Walton Adams had an "Art and Science Studio" at 29 Blagrave Street, Reading, from 1886 until he retired in 1922.
http://www.berksfhs.org.uk/journal/Dec1999/dec1999QandAGodfrey.htm
This suggests that it would be 1886 at the earliest.
See also:
Arthur) Walton Adams (1842-1934)
Adams was a photographer who worked in Southampton and Reading. He was the co-inventor of the dry-plate process, the father of photographer Marcus Adams and the grandfather of Gilbert Adams.
http://www.npg.org.uk/live/search/person.asp?LinkID=mp08079&role=art
Regards
Gadget
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Nice catch, Gadget. So looking at the sleeves of the dress, the distinctive shoulder seam that came out in 1889 isn't there, so if this was a lady who kept up with fashion the photo would be 1886-1889 or so. That's a pretty narrow window!
The professional restorer missed a bit at the back of the bodice.
Cheers,
China
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Look, here's a picture of the photographer's studio...this lady would have walked through the doors:
http://readingimages.epixtech.co.uk/loc/1210127.PDF
Cheers,
C
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Nice catch, Gadget. So looking at the sleeves of the dress, the distinctive shoulder seam that came out in 1889 isn't there, so if this was a lady who kept up with fashion the photo would be 1886-1889 or so. That's a pretty narrow window!
The professional restorer missed a bit at the back of the bodice.
Cheers,
China
Just noticed - we amateurs wouldn't do that ;D
He looks like quite a famous one, China - piccies in the Nat Portrait Gallery :)
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As you two have done all the hard work I thought I would step in & do the easy bit ;D
Here's a restore of the restorer's restore....if you see what I mean.
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but but - you've left the bit on the back as well, Jim ;D ;D ;D
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I thought it was part of the dress...doh!
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That's better! :D
She has a very pronounced bustle, hasn't she? Somewhere I read that the bustle peaked 1885 to 1888 and went out of style in 1889...so our window just narrowed to 1886-1888 (theoretically anyway ;D)
Cheers,
China
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And I think those shiny beads would be jet, mined at Whitley Bay.
C
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That's better! :D
She has a very pronounced bustle, hasn't she? Somewhere I read that the bustle peaked 1885 to 1888 and went out of style in 1889...so our window just narrowed to 1886-1888 (theoretically anyway ;D)
Cheers,
China
I was thinking 1887 might be a good year :)
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My, my you guys have certainly given me some help here and also food for thought. Thanks a heap!
Laine
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Hi Laine ..........Heres my colour interpretation of your photo.
Carolyn :)
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Wow, bonus photo! Thanks Carolyn and very well done.
Laine
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I couldn't pass this one by...well, my old home town for a start...
You've said everything I was going to say, jet beads, good healthy bustle you could carry the shopping home on, and that ridiculous bit up her back....
One thing you haven't picked up on... the absolute sadness in the picture.
To prove they could read, a book was often used as a prop. This lady has a photograph album.
Has someone recently died, someone very close to her?
Oh, and here's another colour version....