date and clean up please

[MeganJR]

Hi

I'd love some help getting an indicative date for this photo, may be a little tricky as it was taken in Melbourne, Australia and I assume fashions would have been a bit behind the trends in the UK. The photo is on a glass plate and the whole thing is about the size of a postage stamp. The back has the details of the photography studio in Prahran Victoria, "Pom Pom Opalette from Yeoman & Co Photographers Chapel St Prahran"

Whilst visiting my parents over the holidays I found my 'treasures tin' and inside was this photo. Many of my treasures were given to me by my grandmother (born in 1879), and most have been lost over the years. This photo is the best treasure a budding family historian could discover. We aren't sure who it is, but suspect it may be my great grandmother. Only one photo exists of her as a much older lady. My grandmother destroyed a lot of photographs and records and we know very little about her family.

cheers

Megan

[chinakay]

The photo is directly on the glass, or is on paper fixed to the glass?

I'm wondering if it might have been a locket of some kind at one time.

Anyway, looking at the hair and the shoulder seam I would put this photo between 1889 and 1893. But, don't think that fashions would lag behind just because it's Australia, things weren't the same then as they are now...for one thing, all dressmaking was done by a local dressmaker, and the ladies' magazines, which were the authority on the latest styles, would arrive in a timely manner. Then, all that needed to be done was show a picture of the newest fashion to one's dressmaker, and in a week or so, voila! So, I'm fairly confident in the date window I've suggested.

Cheers,
China

[MeganJR]

Thanks China
I'm not really sure if the photo is on the glass or on the paper affixed to the back of it. I can't really tell. I'm not keen on trying to peel the two apart to determine this either!
With these dates it is unlikely to be my great grandmother, the mystery of who she is will continue.
cheers
Megan

[VictorianDreamer]

A couple to start the ball rolling. No idea about dates though

Victoria

[chinakay]

Hmmmm...just had another look at what you said is on the back...and looked up pom pom opalette...no results but there are several results for Rotary Real Photographic Opalette Series, which seems to be a "gem" sized photo (about an inch) under glass within a postcard. Famous people are featured, and the photos are oval in shape. So yours may be a similar production by a local photographer who was doing photos of granny to be incorporated into postcards. I think this photo is of a family or friend rather than some famous actress or princess because the quality is not great compared to some others I've seen...anyway, here are a few of the Rotary series...

http://www.historicopera.com/jseries_gem_page.htm

Cheers,
China

[PrueM]

I'd never heard of PHotographic Opalette pictures, so thanks Megan and China for introducing them to me!

When I first saw the pic, it reminded me of a Crystoleum (http://www.artgallery.sa.gov.au/noye/Colorist/Crystolm.htm), but one which had not had the paper backing removed nor had any colour added.  It's definitely an albumen print stuck to glass.  The idea might have been to give the impression of an Opalotype (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opalotype), but without the expense of having one of those made.

I agree with China on the date, too    Australian women - particularly those in the big cities - would have been right up with the latest trends from home...prints of English summer fashions would have taken a couple of months to reach Australia, by which time it would be our summer, and the ladies could be up to date in time for the new season 

[terry h]

A try from me

Terry

[MeganJR]

Thanks to everyone!
You are all wonderful!
Terry and Victoria I love what you've done with her photo! Have emailed it through to my mum who is thrilled too.
China and Prue you have given me so much information I am now on the trail of learning more about old photos and will be taking this further. Your links inspired me to google the photography studio which appears to have operated 1884-1891, consistent with the dates you have advised.
Given the dates it is unlikely to be my grandmother's family but a good chance it maybe someone from my grandfather's side who did live in the Prahran area during the period.
China, you comment re a locket has my mum trying to work out what happened to an old locket we had.
thanks again
Megan

[Dave Hall]

One from me
Dave