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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: nika on Tuesday 24 July 12 12:09 BST (UK)

Title: COMPLETED: Photograph for dating only please
Post by: nika on Tuesday 24 July 12 12:09 BST (UK)
Dear all,
I'd be very grateful for your thoughts on the age of this photograph.
It is studio posed (I've also attached a scan of the reverse), card mounted, sepia, with square corners. It measures approx 6.5cm x 10cm (2.5" x 4").
I think it may have been taken in the 1820s or 1830s.

The people in the photo could be:
The adult on the right - Ann Holford, previously Philpott, nee Fryer 1794-1871 and three of her daughters, either:  Ann born 1817, Caroline b 1821, Elizabeth b 1822, Hannah b 1824, Eliza 1830, Amelia 1834, or Mary b 1836.

Any thoughts would be very welcome.
Nika

Title: Re: Photograph for dating only please
Post by: chinakay on Tuesday 24 July 12 17:01 BST (UK)
Late 1860s and very inventive for the time...a posed family group rather than an individual or a couple, with a backdrop!

There's usually a floor blooper somewhere in 1860s photography, and in this one it's a bit of the rug kicked up :D

Cheers,
China
Title: Re: Photograph for dating only please
Post by: nika on Tuesday 24 July 12 18:09 BST (UK)
Thanks Chinakay, how interesting! I hadn't even noticed the kicked up rug before. ;D
If its 1860s its not the people I thought it could be  :'(
Nika
Title: Re: Photograph for dating only please
Post by: jim1 on Tuesday 24 July 12 22:45 BST (UK)
Have to disagree.1870's.The back is a mid- decade design.
The Polonaise style overskirt is also 1870's.
At least one of the little ones is a boy.
jim
Title: Re: Photograph for dating only please
Post by: nika on Wednesday 25 July 12 06:59 BST (UK)
Thank you Jim1.
Could you tell me how you can you tell that one of the little ones is a boy? I know little boys were dressed much the same as girls but it would be interesting to know for this particular photo what leads you to say that.
Nika
Title: Re: Photograph for dating only please
Post by: jim1 on Wednesday 25 July 12 11:06 BST (UK)
The one on the right.
His hairstyle is a bit of a givaway.It was common with boys to curl the hair on top of the head only giving this look.

jim
Title: Re: Photograph for dating only please
Post by: PrueM on Wednesday 25 July 12 11:37 BST (UK)

I think it may have been taken in the 1820s or 1830s.


Not possible I'm afraid - photography (of this sort anyway) hadn't been invented yet  ;) ;D

I agree with the dating estimates heretofore given by the experts  :P
Title: Re: Photograph for dating only please
Post by: nika on Wednesday 25 July 12 13:06 BST (UK)
Thank you Jim and Prue - I've learned two new things!  ;D
Nika
Title: Re: Photograph for dating only please
Post by: jim1 on Wednesday 25 July 12 16:16 BST (UK)
3 things actually...you are now aware there's such a word as heretofore..sounds like a Bushism to me.
Title: Re: Photograph for dating only please
Post by: mahalia on Wednesday 25 July 12 23:40 BST (UK)
Interesting photo and  the info re the children.  I have noticed on some photos something that seems out of whack and the thought crosses my mind why didn't they straighten the rug, or twitch the folds in the curtains into a better appearance etc etc and now it appears that perhaps these 'overlooked'
untidiness  were deliberate, perhaps an attempt to make the photos look less posed

Quote
There's usually a floor blooper somewhere in 1860s photography,

Is that a correct assumption????

Cheers

Maureen
Title: Re: Photograph for dating only please
Post by: nika on Thursday 26 July 12 22:03 BST (UK)
Yes, although it does sound awkward, heretofor is a word which means"before this".
 ;D
Nika
Title: Re: Photograph for dating only please
Post by: SherlockBones on Thursday 26 July 12 23:27 BST (UK)
I herein state that I hereinafter intend to use the aforementioned heretofore....;-)

Jon
Title: Re: Photograph for dating only please
Post by: IgorStrav on Friday 27 July 12 23:01 BST (UK)
Just another observation - I think the lady on the left is sadly deficient in the teeth department......
Title: Re: COMPLETED: Photograph for dating only please
Post by: nika on Saturday 28 July 12 14:56 BST (UK)
Thank you all for your interesting information and observations.  8)
I know I've got the right family but I still don't know who they are. Try as I might, shouting at the photo "who are you" doesn't work!  ;D
Nika