Can someone please date and identify regalia

[bruceward51]

This image is of William Stewart, born in Scotland in 1869, died in Queensland, Australia in 1935. Served in the Black Watch Regiment and saw active service in the Boar War. Served as Police Constable in Edinburgh from 1902 to about 1911. Also served in Ireland, either as policeman or with the regiment, in the 1890s.

Two copies of the same photo, on mounts of two separate photographers! Front of one shown and back of the other (it has more information). I suspect the second print has been pasted onto a reused board as the photo partially covers the photographer's name. Certainly taken in Ireland though.

The back of one print suggests he is in piper's uniform, but I think this unlikely. He was a bandsman, but was the 'big drummer' according to newspaper clippings, incorrectly reporting his death in the Boer War. I think it is more likely this is some form of Lodge regalia.

So if anyone can help with the date and perhaps some information on the regalia, that would be great thanks.

[Treetotal]

Hi and welcome to Rootschat...He only looks to be in his late teens..could you scan just the shield on his collar at a resolution of 1200dpi and we could try to indentify any writing on it...I don't think it's a Freemason's Regalia as there is no Square & Compass.
The daters wiil be along soon to help you 
Carol

[jim1]

The back is typical 1880's but can still be seen early 1890's.
The regalia may be Orange Order,I've seen one similar to this.

jim

[jim1]

Just spotted the MIP date code of 1887.

jim

[Lydart]

Jim ... what's an MIP date code please ??




(Trying to learn from an expert !!)

[jim1]

Marion Imp Paris were the worlds largest card manufacturers.From 1880-1900 they put a code next to their name on the bottom of the cardstock.It's not fully understood as it varies with Quotes (").However quotes to the left of the name indicate 1880's & to the right 1890's although you can see cards without quotes.There's also a series of dots & dashes which seem to indicate a date. 2 dots with l/h quotes = 1882.The confusion arrives (if it hasn't already) with the introduction of dashes.The general consensus of opinion ( ok it's Roger Vaughan & me) is that a dash indicates after 1885 or 1895 (see reference to quotes) so a dash followed by 2 dots & a dash ( _ .. _ ) = 1887.
Glad you asked?

jim

[Ruskie]

THere was something similar to this posted not too long ago. I will see if I can find a link to the discussion. (added: I found the discussion but the original poster has removed the photographs  )

[Treetotal]

I'm wondering if he could be a member of the "Good Templars"...and C.T. could be "Chief Templar"
Carol

[Lydart]

Yes Jim ....glad I asked !   Its interesting ... I wonder how many people notice the dots and dashes !

Thanks you.



Ruskie .... is it worth putting up the link ?