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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: geri_hill on Saturday 01 June 13 17:00 BST (UK)

Title: Help with dating
Post by: geri_hill on Saturday 01 June 13 17:00 BST (UK)
Could someone please help me with the approximate date this photo may have been taken?
Thanks
Title: Re: Help with dating
Post by: mopsy_jay on Sunday 02 June 13 02:09 BST (UK)
I am definitely no expert... My best guess would be  c 1910 - 1920. Although there were a few trend setters, bobbed hair for ladies didn't really become fashionable until after WW1. It wasn't considered respectable! that is until women were called up to do war work. I am assuming that children's hair also followed along with that but I could be totally wrong. The little girls shoes & socks were around in the Edwardian era too, not sure if they were around earlier than that.

The collar the boy is wearing was dying out during the Edwardian era. Having said that, some schools continued that tradition.

I am sure some of the experts on here will advise you better.

In the meantime, I did a little tidy up of the photo.

Title: Re: Help with dating
Post by: geri_hill on Sunday 02 June 13 02:41 BST (UK)
Oh Mopsy_jay, that is just wonderful!  Thank you so much.  I, also, love genealogy.  I admit it, I am sadly addicted....    We live in Canada and went on a big trip in 2004 back east, down to Tennessee, the Gulf Coast and thorough AZ to the Pacific and back home.

In celebration of our 10th year on-the-road, we are doing another big trip this year, but this time, we are going to "take in" the corner we missed last time.  North & South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, so excited!

Your work on the picture is awesome!  I will probably never know who it is, but it brings me joy!

Thanks so much  Geri
Title: Re: Help with dating
Post by: chinakay on Sunday 02 June 13 03:48 BST (UK)
Hi Geri....I've been staring at this for a while, and while it definitely isn't 1910, I think the rest of mopsyjay's estimate might be about right. The hairstyle is not a bob, but is a typical postwar/early 20s chignon style. The outfit...I do wish I could see her standing...that jacket certainly has the very loose look of the 20s, but without seeing the waistline I can't be sure. I think Jim mentioned once that the suffragette suit style had a brief comeback in the 20s, and if so this could be it.

The material has a very luxurious, expensive look to it. Makes me want to rub it between my fingers :D

The boy's collar is sort of a classic stand-up collar that's still around in formal wear. But the chair he's sitting in is quite a bit older, 1890s.

The little girl has the exact same haircut my mother had, bless her. The rice-bowl look :D That would be late 20s.

Is this a colour scan? Is it true b&w, or sepia? Don't suppose the back is available...

Cheers,
China
Title: Re: Help with dating
Post by: geri_hill on Sunday 02 June 13 05:55 BST (UK)
Thanks so much for the information China!

The photo came from my Granny's album.  She was born in 1905 Belfast.  I think it was black and white when I scanned it.  I don't remember anything on the back, but I will look again when I get to Mum's next month.

Geri
Title: Re: Help with dating
Post by: jim1 on Sunday 02 June 13 11:31 BST (UK)
I would go along with early-mid 20's.Although the man is formally dressed his jacket/waistcoat is typical of this decade & completely different from the style which dominated the previous one.

jim