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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: NicoleO on Thursday 03 January 19 11:36 GMT (UK)

Title: Dating help for Bowen and Arnold family from South Wales
Post by: NicoleO on Thursday 03 January 19 11:36 GMT (UK)
My aunt found these family portraits in her grandmother's belongings when she passed away years ago. We believe the man and the lady in the hat are either her parents or grandparents.
We are either looking at:
James Bowen (1856-1923) who was a watchman at the docks later in life, and his wife
Annie M Morse (1854-1896) both from Pembrokeshire.
Or
James Bowen (1820-1870) a master mariner from St David's, and his wife
Ann Davies (1826-?)
The damaged portrait we believe to be my great grandfather's mother. Her name was Mary Jane Arnold (nee Rees) (1872-1931) from Swansea.
Any help with dating these portraits would be greatly appreciated.
Title: Re: Dating help for Bowen and Arnold family from South Wales
Post by: McGroger on Friday 04 January 19 20:32 GMT (UK)
My dating guesses aren't good enough in isolation - they may be misleading - but bumping it up the board might get it noticed by the experts.
Peter
Title: Re: Dating help for Bowen and Arnold family from South Wales
Post by: NicoleO on Friday 04 January 19 21:42 GMT (UK)
I appreciate that, thanks
Title: Re: Dating help for Bowen and Arnold family from South Wales
Post by: jim1 on Friday 04 January 19 22:46 GMT (UK)
The 2 of the women are over-sketched enlargements which often make them difficult to date. However I would suggest the 1st. is 1880's & 2nd. is Edwardian. Possibly the same women about 20 years apart.
Title: Re: Dating help for Bowen and Arnold family from South Wales
Post by: NicoleO on Saturday 05 January 19 06:07 GMT (UK)
Thank you Jim1, now that you mention it there is a similarity,  particularly around the mouth. Could 1896 be considered Edwardian-ish, maybe done just before she died?
Title: Re: Dating help for Bowen and Arnold family from South Wales
Post by: jim1 on Saturday 05 January 19 10:11 GMT (UK)
Afraid not. Although there's not much to see the panelled & pleated bodice was an Edwardian style.
Title: Re: Dating help for Bowen and Arnold family from South Wales
Post by: NicoleO on Saturday 05 January 19 13:26 GMT (UK)
Might have to rethink the identity then. Thank you
Title: Re: Dating help for Bowen and Arnold family from South Wales
Post by: James Henton on Sunday 15 May 22 10:08 BST (UK)
If there are photographer's details on the photos, either on front and back, they will usually give location. And there are databases of which Welsh Victorian photographers operated and their rough period of operation. I have found these little details useful sometimes.