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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: JenB on Sunday 04 June 17 11:32 BST (UK)

Title: Group photo by Allan Ramsden for dating please
Post by: JenB on Sunday 04 June 17 11:32 BST (UK)
I would welcome a date, please, for this rather down-trodden looking group. The small boy in sailor costume seems to be clutching a hat which is several sizes too large  :-\

Although the photograph has 'Hexham' printed on the back, Allan Ramsden actually appears to have been an 'itinerant' photographer, judging by his 1928 obituary, plying his trade in the north of England and south of Scotland in a caravan. In 1891 and 1901 he was living in County Durham, but not very far south of Hexham.



Title: Re: Group photo for dating please
Post by: JenB on Sunday 04 June 17 11:33 BST (UK)
Here is part of the 1928 obituary
Title: Re: Group photo by Allan Ramsden for dating please
Post by: Treetotal on Sunday 04 June 17 23:39 BST (UK)
I would say this one was 1870 s Jen.
Carol
Title: Re: Group photo by Allan Ramsden for dating please
Post by: JenB on Monday 05 June 17 10:23 BST (UK)
Great, Carol, many thanks indeed.
I love the little chap in the sailor suit.
I had read of itinerant photographers before, but not of one who wrote a book about it (see the obituary snip in #1 ) It would be fascinating to see if any copies are available in local libraries.
Title: Re: Group photo by Allan Ramsden for dating please
Post by: jim1 on Monday 05 June 17 11:14 BST (UK)
Agree with Carol mid-late 1870's.
They don't look down trodden to me.
Title: Re: Group photo by Allan Ramsden for dating please
Post by: JenB on Monday 05 June 17 11:55 BST (UK)
Agree with Carol mid-late 1870's.

Thanks you Jim  :)
Title: Re: Group photo by Allan Ramsden for dating please
Post by: cazza59 on Tuesday 06 June 17 09:19 BST (UK)
I was bored Jen.  I think they scrub up not too badly though, and perhaps it's the faded state of the photo that makes them appear downtrodden.

Caz
Title: Re: Group photo by Allan Ramsden for dating please
Post by: Handypandy on Tuesday 06 June 17 09:42 BST (UK)
Nice job Caz, they didn't look downtrodden to me either, actually quite smart. However, without wishing to be cruel, I wouldn't have wanted to bump into them on a dark night..
Title: Re: Group photo by Allan Ramsden for dating please
Post by: JenB on Tuesday 06 June 17 10:18 BST (UK)
Caz, that's lovely.

this rather down-trodden looking group.

Clearly I am comprehensively out-voted on this point  :)  ;D
Title: Re: Group photo by Allan Ramsden for dating please
Post by: HazelBea on Tuesday 06 June 17 10:23 BST (UK)
Could they be in mourning Jen ? The dark dress and beads made me think this.
Does this help with your dating ?
Title: Re: Group photo by Allan Ramsden for dating please
Post by: cazza59 on Tuesday 06 June 17 10:26 BST (UK)
Nice job Caz, they didn't look downtrodden to me either, actually quite smart. However, without wishing to be cruel, I wouldn't have wanted to bump into them on a dark night..

Thanks HP.   I was meant to be doing the washing but got distracted!  😁
Title: Re: Group photo by Allan Ramsden for dating please
Post by: cazza59 on Tuesday 06 June 17 10:27 BST (UK)
Caz, that's lovely.

this rather down-trodden looking group.

Clearly I am comprehensively out-voted on this point  :)  ;D

Looks like it Jen!  😂😂
Title: Re: Group photo by Allan Ramsden for dating please
Post by: JenB on Tuesday 06 June 17 10:40 BST (UK)
Could they be in mourning Jen ? The dark dress and beads made me think this.
Does this help with your dating ?

I'm afraid I don't know who they are, so can't say whether or not the woman is in mourning. This is a carte which I bought on ebay  :)
Title: Re: Group photo by Allan Ramsden for dating please
Post by: JenB on Wednesday 20 September 17 18:20 BST (UK)
Allan Ramsden actually appears to have been an 'itinerant' photographer, judging by his 1928 obituary, plying his trade in the north of England and south of Scotland in a caravan. In 1891 and 1901 he was living in County Durham, but not very far south of Hexham.

Today I have been lent a copy of his book, 'Life in a Caravan' and to my delight it actually contains a photograph of the man himself by the caravan.

He says that before it was converted into a 'photographic saloon' it had been used to transport the 'Norfolk Giant' around fairgrounds http://www.thetallestman.com/roberthales.htm

Ramsden recounts his travels all over the north of England in the caravan. Apparently his wife and children often accompanied him on his journeyings.
Title: Re: Group photo by Allan Ramsden for dating please
Post by: Brett on Sunday 28 July 19 00:56 BST (UK)
Hi Jen - I'd be very keen on getting hold of a copy of this book. Have you any idea where I might find one, even a digital version.
Regards, Brett Payne
Tauranga, New Zealand
Title: Re: Group photo by Allan Ramsden for dating please
Post by: JenB on Sunday 28 July 19 18:15 BST (UK)
Brett, my copy was a lucky find via Amazon a year or so ago. I don't think it's available as an e-book.
Your best bet is to keep on looking on second-hand internet booksellers on the offchance that one turns up sometime.
So sorry I can't be any more help.
Title: Re: Group photo by Allan Ramsden for dating please
Post by: Brett on Sunday 28 July 19 19:21 BST (UK)
I'll do that. Thanks for your esponse, JenB. Much appreciated. Regards, Brett
Title: Re: Group photo by Allan Ramsden for dating please
Post by: jim1 on Sunday 28 July 19 19:32 BST (UK)
While we've got your attention Brett I'd like to say thanks for the website.
Very useful to us amateurs.
Keep up the good work.
jim
Title: Re: Group photo by Allan Ramsden for dating please
Post by: Brett on Monday 29 July 19 05:47 BST (UK)
 :) Thank you, Jim. Much appreciated, although I must admit that I haven't added to the web sites much in recent years. However, my research continues and I am still compiling information which will appear somewhere, in some form or other, eventually.
Regards and best wishes, Brett