Could Some one give me a possible date for this photo?

[The-AC-Project]

Another of my recently found ancestral photo's, with no identifiable names.

So a possible time frame on the photo of this austere couple would be great

Thanks for looking

Al

[chinakay]

Around 1900 or so. Unusual landscape style.

Any design printed on the back?

Cheers,
China

[BridgetM]

What a wonderful photograph!

[mrs.tenacious]

Am no expert - so referred to the excellent book "Family Photographs & How to Date Them" by Jayne Shrimpton.

I would suggest 1880's, possibly early 1890's. 3-piece lounge suits for men and the winged shirt collar were typical of this period. Women's dresses are usually easier to date, and the woman's dress sleeves are not the puffed shoulder that came in during the 1890's.

However, apparently we have to remember that the older generation were less likely to wear the more modern & fashionable styles straight away, and for this reason the photo could possibly be up to the mid-1890's.

Any further details like photographer or studio address?

[chinakay]

That woman's dress is absolutely not 1880s, nor 1890s.

[PrueM]

Hi Al 

I agree with China, I'd put the picture around 1900 and the landscape format is very unusual, although I do have a couple in my collection...

woman's dress sleeves are not the puffed shoulder that came in during the 1890's.

Hi mrs. tenacious    You are correct that the woman's dress sleeves are not the puffed shoulder that came in during the 1890s...they are a later style, though, not an earlier one    If this photo was 1880s or just into the 90s, you'd expect a very close-fitted sleeve and not one as roomy as this.  Also, the photo style is not consistent with this early a date. 

I hope you stick around and have a go at some more pictures, we need all the help we can get sometimes! 

Cheers
Prue

[The-AC-Project]

Many thanks for all your input, digesting all that you have brought to my attention.

Unfortunately no photographers address or studio, the picture was printed as a postcard, and the
" A half-penny stamp for inland One Penny foreign " does not narrow the time frame down either.

The only inscription on the back is hand-written " For Joe " so am searching for a Joe in the family around the turn of the century. { that would be 1900s keep forgetting we are in another Century now }

Many Thanks

Al

[jim1]

the time frame for the postcard is 1902-18,however I would agree early 1900's.The mans suit is a throwback to the 90's but being older I wouldn't expect him to up to date.The lady however is in this silk day dress & with him wearing wing collar & cravat I don't think a working class couple.

jim

[The-AC-Project]

Thank you Jim,

I had the thought of not a working class photo myself, which puts the cat amongst the pigeons as all my fore bears were working class.

Little bit more diggin I think

Thanks for the input

Al