RootsChat.Com
Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: Joy Dean on Saturday 31 January 26 20:57 GMT (UK)
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Having inherited some photos from my father's cousin, this possibly could be a widow of a Mr Edwin Watts. He died in 1886 age 30, She was born in 1863. What ages do you think the lady and child could be and when do you think it could have been taken?
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Not an expert but I'll have a stab. Early 1890s, late 20s for the lady and around 6 for the child.
Peter
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I would say the same for the child, lady around 30.
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Thank you.
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Hi, Joy. I thought you might like a restored version of your lovely photo. I've finished it in a deep sepia tone to try to make it look like it might have when new.
Peter
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Do you have a confirmed photo of Mr Edwin Watts at any age?
You might see a resemblance in the child if your thinking is correct..
I agree. The woman is around 30 years and the child between 6 and 7 years.
Sue
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Lovely, clean restoration peter with rich dark tones most suited to the l890s early 1900s.
They both look rather serious and not smiling which sometimes can indicated poor dental health or missing teeth. It wasn't uncommon for sitters to adopt a serious or neutral expression it was the norm for the time.
Carol
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A newspaper advert for "Arthur Simmons, Photographer, 258 Westminster Bridge Road" first appeared 17 December 1887 in Ally Sloper's Half Holiday.
An advert referring to him at that address appeared 8 Sep 1906 in The Southwark and Bermondsey Reporter.
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Great find Hanes Teulu,
The dates fit.
carol
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Treetotal,
I never cease to be amazed by those who can pinpoint a period of time based on the dress etc. of those pictured and equally so by the restoration that can follow.
Magic!
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A little cleaning
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Thank you very much for the restoration and the cleaning, and for the dating of advertisements.
I cannot be certain this next photo is Edwin but I am hoping it is he. Edwin died in 1886.
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The lady and her daughter are wearing what looks like mourning dress. The little girl's dress is tempered by lighter coloured collar and cuffs which would be removable. The woman is wearing a flower spray.
This might mean that while still being in mourning they both have been invited to another possibly family function and she has been given a spray or that the flowers are specially chosen to mark the death or an anniversary associated with the death. If we could identify the flowers it might tell us more.
But a beautiful photograph that has been beautifully restored.
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I don't think this is Edwin as The High Collar and Four in Hand Tie was a popular arrangement in the 1890s.
Its worth remembering that we can't be sure of the colour of the Mother and Child's dresses, they could be any dark colour.
Clothing was sometimes hired or borrowed from Family members.
Carol
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Treetotal,
I never cease to be amazed by those who can pinpoint a period of time based on the dress etc. of those pictured and equally so by the restoration that can follow.
Magic!
Hi Hanes Teulu, I have been doing this for 20 years and sometimes I do get it wrong as eras often overlap, and slight fashion changes in clothing design become updated.
I do have several books on Men's and Ladies' fashion through the decades which do help, but poor
people can be wearing "Hand-Me-Downs" for decades. They are often altered to fit in the case of Children's' clothes.
Photo Dating is not an exact Science so there will always be room for error.
Carol
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Cleaned Edwin for you, regards, John.
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Thank you very much, John, for cleaning Edwin.
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Looking at info on the printer, etc...the years 1894 to 1899+ are looking pretty solid.
The v-waistline & lesser puffed sleeves as well...although as stated, may have been worn for years.
The decade was a back & forth love of puffy sleeves, layering, & big collars...
The Bridgerton series pokes fun at some of the eras more far-out-fashion-musts, methinks...
A. Your photo back mount has potted peacock feathers... his second print back design (C below)
Starting using c.1893 or later as advertises carbon prints ( pigmented gelatin rather than metals)
B. Found this with same updated back, with a waaay off base dating of ca. 1860s?
Talented infant as the photographer's birth was registered in 1858!!!
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1462020/a-portrait-of-a-woman-photograph-a-simmons/
C. Arthur Simmons photo back from 1884 has a different back print ad (a potted bamboo)
NOTE* Astley's Amphitheatre appears online as dated 1773 - demolished in 1893!...
- Advertised as an art studio - Firstly as a portrait painter, then photographer
He could enlarge to any size then finish in oils, watercolour or crayon!
One could add texture, mimicking brushstrokes, with results much like a modern giclée!
Lithographs were around astonishingly early, so who knows when this method began
He advertises his tintypes as: "Instantaneous using a new patent apparatus"
https://tupap0.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/simmons-b.jpg
- The mount was produced by Reeves & Hoare - Lithographers, Book Printers
Who made & also likely supplied to Simmons, a range of photographic equipment...
...including manufacture of artist colours, to professional studios during the 1880s.
This lovely page's contributor found lots of basic info on A. Simmons
His occupation switches on censuses & docs from photographer to confectioner.
https://tokensofcompanionship.blog/2021/07/01/cycling-enthusiasts-at-a-rally-in-london/