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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: Old Mother Reilly on Saturday 15 June 24 09:43 BST (UK)

Title: Date for Mystery Bannister Man, Please
Post by: Old Mother Reilly on Saturday 15 June 24 09:43 BST (UK)
This small photo of an unknown man has been discovered among a relative's effects.  From the UK,  his identity and dates are a mystery.  I wonder if anyone can spot any possible dating evidence, please?
Title: Re: Date for Mystery Bannister Man, Please
Post by: japeflakes on Sunday 16 June 24 20:22 BST (UK)
Having a guess at Victorian:
Title: Re: Date for Mystery Bannister Man, Please
Post by: Rena on Monday 17 June 24 03:30 BST (UK)
In the event he has business interests (or his family had business interests)  I thought I'd have a look to see if that surname was mentioned in any historical directory.   These are kept at Leicester University and can be searched online simply by entering a name and a choice of years.  I did this but the website decided to rest on Sundays.

https://le.ac.uk/library/special-collections/explore/historical-directories

I next thought he or/and his family might be mentioned in Graces Guide.   What I thought interesting  was that the search results brought up several Bannisters with middle surnames.  Those middle surnames could be a link to another surname that you are interested in.   

https://gracesguide.co.uk/index.php?search=+Special%3ASearch&search=Bannister&go=Go
Title: Re: Date for Mystery Bannister Man, Please
Post by: Old Mother Reilly on Monday 17 June 24 10:10 BST (UK)
Thank you, Rena - I'll have a look at those.

I would still be interested if anyone can have a try at dating the photograph.  I know there isn't much to go on (wide patterned necktie/cravat, fastened with stickpin; wide lapels on a coat (double-breasted?) of heavy cloth, and hairstyle).  I'm leaning towards late 1860s?
Title: Re: Date for Mystery Bannister Man, Please
Post by: fiddlerslass on Monday 17 June 24 11:01 BST (UK)
I would agree around 1860's . Possibly the earlier years going by side parting and lack of mustache?
Title: Re: Date for Mystery Bannister Man, Please
Post by: Old Mother Reilly on Monday 17 June 24 11:13 BST (UK)
Thank you, Fiddlerslass, that helps  :)
Title: Re: Date for Mystery Bannister Man, Please
Post by: jim1 on Monday 17 June 24 11:17 BST (UK)
I don't think you're far off with the date but I
would put it in the 1870's.
Title: Re: Date for Mystery Bannister Man, Please
Post by: Neale1961 on Tuesday 18 June 24 10:13 BST (UK)
It is difficult to see, but I think he may have a Newgate Frill beard.
Title: Re: Date for Mystery Bannister Man, Please
Post by: Old Mother Reilly on Thursday 20 June 24 11:47 BST (UK)
Thank you all for your suggestions and observations, which have been a great help.

Taking his clothing, apparent age, and approximate date of the image into consideration, together with what is known of my relative's family tree, my suggestion is that this is a picture of Amos Pickup of Chorley, Lancashire.  He was a bookseller in Blackpool.