Photo clean up and date pleeeeeeeeeease :-)

[Rachatfalcon]

Hi all,

Wonder if anyone can help with this photo at all... In real size, it is about 4.5" x 6.5" and on really thick cardboard.

My theory for the date, is that it was taken in 1896. I have nothing to go on other than the photo itself, and I can't really tell anything from the fashion so I'm just basing it on the photographer and his location. If my web searching is right, the studio was there for a short period 1896 - 1897. Can anyone confirm this? One of my ancestors, Beatrice Clark, was born in South Norwood in May 1893 so logic tells me that surely this has to be her?



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Its a bit faded and there are scratches etc - can anyone improve it at all? I would be really grateful.

Thank you in advance for reading and helping,

Rachel x

[roymeddy]

Rachel,
Done my best with this, hopefully someone can improve on my efforts



Roy

[Rachatfalcon]

Roy, that is incredible thank you SO much. It brings a whole new level to it yet without changing the feel of the photo at all; really really nicely done thank you.

Rachel x

[saddles]

Hi........Heres my try, not an easy one but I have tried.

Carolyn 

[Niksmum]

my try

Irene

[chinakay]

This is what I've found:

Hopkins, Walter
Born in Englefield Green, Surrey 1863.
STUDIO: 19 Station Road, South Norwood 1896 - 1897

So I'd say you have a fantastically narrow time window here and very likely to be Beatrice...iirc the dark backing of the photo was in vogue during the 1890s.

The restorers have done lovely work! The contrast is so light it couldn't be an easy job.

Cheers,
China

[Rachatfalcon]

Thank you to all the restorers - the results are incredible, I am amazed it can even be done!

China - thank you for confirming my findings about the studio, what a stroke of luck having such a short window for the time frame!

Rachel x