COMPLETED Date Ideas?

[vazzycat]

I would welcome any suggestions as to a possible date for this (as yet) unidentified ancestor. The photo was taken by Harris, Son & Co at 88 High Street, Merthyr. Investigation suggests that they were trading from that address up until 1895/1898 as in an 1899 directory they have moved to 13 High Street. I'm uncertain when they began trading out of 88 High Street but they are listed there in a directory for 1875.

Her attire does seem quite stylised. And her hairstyle seems quite modest.

And any guesses at her age? I'm thinking perhaps abt 20 yrs old?

Any suggestions gratefully received!

[Gadget]

Hi 

Hairstyle and top of dress looks early 1880s - say 1882-ish. However, it would have been nice to have seen the bottom of the dress to confirm.

I'd say and age of late teens-early twenties. The severity of the hairstyle makes her look older than she is, I think.


Regards


Gadget

[jim1]

Agree with Gadget,the neckline suggests an early 80's date.Age 18-early 20's.
jim

[chinakay]

Yes, agree.

Any printing on the back of the card? The design on the back can help with a date too.

This may be a red herring, but the arch shape at the top of the card is something I've seen mentioned as being a design of a memorial photo. I have one myself which is an obvious reprint--the format of the photo doesn't match the clothing worn by the sitter by decades. I've included it below.

Cheers,
China

[vazzycat]

Gadget, Jim & China  - Thanks so much for the input - the dating will really narrow things down - and if it does prove to be a memorial photo that will of course narrow things down even further.

China - Here is the back of the photo which may help.

Many Thanks once again!

[Gadget]

That hand writing has given me such a shock - it's very like my Mother's was   

I suppose the writer might be the same generation as her (1909-1999) and we were from North Wales 


Gadget

[vazzycat]

Hey Gadget - The dates couldn't be closer - the writers dates are 1909 - 1996! Funny though - I'm sure that my handwriting is nothing like I was taught in the 60's 70's.

[chinakay]

Apparently Cleopas Harris set up his first photo shop in 1866. He had 3 sons, who had artistic talent and their first job was hand-colouring photos. They were so good that Cleopas sent two of them to Paris where they trained at the same studio as Claude Monet.

The design suggests late 1880s. It could be a memorial photo.

Cheers,
China

[jim1]

Has to be a reprint,.China could be right although I would say this is an 1890's back.

jim