Mason?? 'Too Grand...' id please

[maccalenny]

hi - i have a boxful of old photos, some of which are annotated. This one is of one of my g-g-granny's brothers  - born between 1845 and 1864 (does not narrow i down much i know!). My g-aunt, who owned the photos, had written on the back that 'he was too grand for them'. Wondered if anyone recognises his waistcoat thing?

Thanks

[jim1]

I can't comment on the regalia but his formal dress style could be 1870's on,however the pocket handkerchief would put this more into the 80's.The embossed card stock is a more 1890's style but as his trousers are uncreased would date this early.Late 1880's - early 1890's I would suggest.A scan of the back might give a more accurate date.He looks late 40's early 50's.

jim

[jim1]

Might be the Buffs.

jim

[Niksmum]

a clean

Irene

[Mike from Leicester]

Greeting’s ….Folks.

If it helps :~

1899. Wrights Trade Directory :~

Wm. Henry Warwick. Photographers & Picture framers

173. Belgrave-gate

 S.A. Warwick  Photographers & Picture Framers

 114 Church-gate Leicester.

MIKE. ……

[PrueM]

Hi maccalenny 

We've had quite a few photos posted recently with men in regalia associated with friendly/fraternal societies, and it's pretty near impossible to pin down which societies they were in unless it was one of the larger organisations (such as Masons, Oddfellows etc.) as there were hundreds of them in the 19th century.

Apparently the Freemasons will attempt to identify regalia such as this collar, even if it's not masonic -  here is a link: http://www.freemasonry.london.museum/museum.php

We've been trying to identify another chap in someone else's photo, and he has even an more elaborate collar than your fellow, but it's proving very difficult even so    http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,443595.30.html

Cheers
Prue

[maccalenny]

Hi - thanks everyone for yout thoughts, and for the beautiful clean-up job! I should have said at the start - the back is plain, same grey-green as the surround of the picture.

kate

[Kateharding]

Might be the Buffs.

jim

Hoping Jim can help me further with this one, after a very long interlude and a change of username when i couldn’t get into my old account!

Still trying to narrow down his identity between two brothers.

Jim, you mentioned that this gentleman’s waistcoat might be The Buffs. I’ve googled this now, and realise it is an army battalion - I didn’t get the reference before. Can I ask how you are able to identify it? One of the brothers was indeed in The Buffs, so hopefully this is the end of the quest for him.
Thank you so much.

[Michael J]

The Buffs is also short for the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (RAOB), and this waistcoat looks similar to their regalia.

I would say that he has nothing to do with the army regiment.

Michael.