Can somebody please DATE this photo?

[chinakay]

Hi Rachel...you might want to mention to Grace not to try to remove the photo from the cardboard. Old photos like that one were printed on material so thin that it couldn't survive without backing. It is fixed permanently to the backing by the photographer and there will be nothing on the back of the photo itself. Removing it will tear and ruin it

What we meant by "anything on the back" was that many old photos have a design printed on the back of the card backing, with the photographer's name and address and such. The designs underwent changes over the years and the style can provide valuable dating clues, just as the style of clothing can.

The backing may have been brown to start with, as well...colours came and went along with designs. Every little thing can be a clue...

Cheers,
China

[Rabbit B]

It's a tease, isn't it Rabbit. You can see there is so much there that is just out of focus.

Yes PaulaToo,

It certainly is, I would love to get a better look at that broach!

Rabbit B 

[PaulaToo]

It's the props on the right hand side that are driving me nuts, Rabbit.
Can't make top nor bottom of them....

[lubok]

Merry Christmas everyone! Thank you for your help!
I'm still waiting on a better scan from my rellie.... hopefully it will happen soon 
It's great that we have a date of the late 1870s, though!

Best wishes
Rachel

[karenfrisky]

Hi there - I'm not an expert but to me that necklace looks like a watch like the school teachers wore back then.  Is it possible she is a teacher (possibly the ribbon signifying that she just graduated??)

Just a thought to ponder!!!


FYI I checked at ancestry.com and there is a Jane Cleland in Sterlingshire born c1855 who was a teacher in 1871.  No idea if this is helpful.

Merry Christmas

[PaulaToo]

Hi karen, good thinking there, it all follows up with that ribbon.

[Rabbit B]

Hi there - I'm not an expert but to me that necklace looks like a watch like the school teachers wore back then.  Is it possible she is a teacher (possibly the ribbon signifying that she just graduated??)

Just a thought to ponder!!!

FYI I checked at ancestry.com and there is a Jane Cleland in Sterlingshire born c1855 who was a teacher in 1871.  No idea if this is helpful.

Merry Christmas

Hi karenfrisky,

Welcome to Rootschat and a Merry Christmas to you too,

I am sure that it is a watch, however it is too big to be a ladies watch, [mine is half that size.] there might have been a way that she could pull the chain down to be able to see the dial.  She would have to be very short sighted to look at it at that length.   If it was extendable, it could account for  the extra chain at her waist!

If that is not the case then a watch is not very likely, unless worn as an ornament!  They are very attractive and beautifully engraved as a rule.

I think that the bow on the dress is decoration, I have seen one of those similarly placed in a much later picture

Rabbit B 

PS PaulaToo, I think that the LH side piece of decor, is one of those lovely pieces of furniture with curved arms. 

[PaulaToo]

I don't, Rabbit... I think it's a 'thing.'
Probably a bit o' furniture as you say, but I can't make anything of it, or what is on the floor in front of it.... yet.
I don't like that rosette, whether it's meant to be there or not. Makes her look like 'best heffer in show,' and that's not nice.

[lubok]

Hello!
Grace, my rellie, had another go... but looking at the size of the image that she emailed me, it doesn't seem like it worked out for her (rescanning it to 600dpi).
I'll attach it anyhow. I fear that Grace has given up, given that she's having problems scanning...
Still, it's great to know that the image was from the 1870s - and thanks for your help on this!
Merry Christmas!

Rachel