Date? Mourning?

[Lolly2881]

Hi
Wondering if someone could date this for me? and i think its a mourning picture, but does anyone know why the children were not in black? and what she may be holding?

this is for some friends, so unfortunely i dont have anymore details.

many thanks
Lorraine xx

[jim1]

There's no evidence she's in mourning & children weren't included in the etiquette of mourning anyway.
Taken just pre WW1 & she appears to be holding a letter perhaps communicating thoughtfulness towards the sender who is about to receive this photo.

jim

[g eli]

Looking at the children's clothes they are practically identical to those worn by my grandmother & siblings taken 1895/96,including the sailor suit worn by the boy.
Liz

[chinakay]

Children's clothing did not change at the same rate as adults' clothing, so these could very well be the same as 20 years prior...in fact these garments could be 20 years old.

Agree with Jim on the date, and as it's not a colour photo the woman's dress could be any dark colour. Isn't it a lovely one.

Cheers,
China

[Lolly2881]

I have just discovered, that her husband was away in the war so its around 1915, Jim1 was right I think its a picture to send to him, unfortunately the women pictured past away that year.  The husband did survive the war though.

Thanks for all your help, brilliant as usual x
Lorraine