Hi Paula,
Thanks for coming back to me - sorry it's taken me a while to get back to you, but I had to go out.
I was wondering 1880 -1885, but your date seems about right
Well, the only way I can give my guess (and I stress it is a guess) is to include a couple of photos.
The first I know was taken about 1870/1 as this poor chap (photographer) died in 1871. The second photo was his brother, who went to St.Perre, Martinique to work as a nautical artist, but died in 1875 - I think this must have been taken just before he left - so probably 1874/5. (Don't know what the cause of death was - they didn't put it on the overseas certificate
).
Anyway, they're typical of all the ones I have, and those I've seen today, in that the earlier ones seem to use heavier props(photo 1 here) and chairs, suits less tailored, then a bit later you start to see more of a rustic effect coming in(phot 2 here); but the ferns, bamboo, and rustic furniture come slightly later(photo of the lady above).
The high stiff collars (with narrow opening) and cravats seem to be very late 1870s through into 1880s.
So, overall my guess is 1881 at earliest, maybe later. Feel he might have more whiskers if it had been earlier. Though you only have to look at the informal pose, lack of whiskers in the 187o photo to see that nothing is ever straightforward
Flooring in the Stockton photo is a puzzle though, I have to admit, China - not an easy one to date.
Open to correction.
Paulene
