date photo & what do the clothes indicate?

[jim1]

Ok lets assume the original isn't going to appear and take what we can from this.
His hairstyle & beard would fit with an 1860's date as would this heavy probably 3/4
overcoat.Turned down collars became fashionable 1860's but were worn with a cravat as ties didn't become mainstream until late 1880's and for best/formal wear shirts were always white.So a workmans shirt with something round his neck that isn't a cravat or tie.
The half length pose isn't 1860's as lenses weren't advanced enough and would result in blurring of the image but his hand in the foreground does show this.
The card stock I would say is at least 1880's.
Only explanation is an 1880's/90's reprint of an 1860's early 1870's photo.

jim

[petercr49]

Thanks Jim,  that sounds very credible.

I'm green when it comes to old photo's, what does it mean "card stock"? Does it mean the format/type of card?

As I said previously, Isaac died 6 Oct 1890.  I wonder if his widow, Isabella Cheesebrough Crowther, ordered a reprint of an earlier photo after his death?  If there was an original of, say, late 1850/early 1860 as you suggest, what condition would you expect the original to be in after about 30 years between 1860 and 1890?  Maybe Isabella just wanted a good copy of the old photo.  Or would the original photographer keep the original negative and just do a reprint on new "card stock"?

I haven't given up on the original yet, but it won't appear quickly.

regards

Peter

[PrueM]

Jim, you are quite possibly right with your suggestion of a reprint - I was thinking that last night as I tried to get off to sleep (yes, sad - I know!!).  The framing/cropping of the photo and general blurriness hint at a reprint.

Peter, it's most likely that a reprint was made by photographing the original photo, making a new negative, and printing from that.   

[jim1]

There you have it Peter,our expert has spoken.
The earliest this can be is 1860's and it's quite possible this was
a commemorative reprint.
The card stock is as you say,the style of the card itself which changed
over the decades and is a good dating tool.Take a look
http://www.cartes.freeuk.com/time/time.htm

jim

[petercr49]

Thanks both Jim and Prue.  Sorry to have kept you awake at night!

regards

Peter

[chinakay]

I think this photo is just screaming "reprint"!

The quality of the photo itself doesn't line up with a 90s date at all. If that picture was taken by a professional photographer in 1890 or so, he ought to be strung up

We know it was common to have reprints of earlier photos taken for distribution to family members after the death of the subject...memorial photos. The date of Isaac's death would be perfect...

Cheers,
China

[IgorStrav]

I'm still interested in what it is he is holding.

Do you think it is a photograph?

[jim1]

I think it's a letter,we've seen a few like this before.You can just make out the seal,
this was pre envelope days.You can imagine loved ones asking for a photo in return
if the receiver is away from the family.
jim

[petercr49]

Hi,  It could be anything as it is quite blurred.  The round shape visible could be some sort of Seal and he appears to be holding it between his index and middle fingers.

However, if the original photo could have been as early as 1858 then I had hoped that it might have something to do with the death of Isaac's Mother.  Attached is a copy of a eulogy from Isaac on the death of his Mother 27 Sept 1858 and I wondered if it might be a copy of that eulogy at the time of her death.  Do Isaac's clothes indicate mourning or did they wear clothes like that at any time?

regards

Peter