Photo date?

[chinakay]

I have to admit that, not being an expert on men's clothing, I was looking more at the format. The clothing does seem earlier, but the mount (matte and backing etc) is early 1900s. So now I'm thinking it may be a reprint.

But the clothing and pose are not inconsistent with 1890s.

Cheers,
China

[Seoras]

How old was James when he died ?

[Wab]

He was 66.

[Kevin137]

I knew I'd seen that image somewhere before...

A copy of this photograph (together with one of his son James John and wife) appears on the Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Canterbury Provincial District] page at:

http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc03Cycl-t1-body1-d7-d13.html

The text on that site reads:

Mr. James Rapsey, who was an Old Colonist of South Canterbury, was born in Devonshire, England, in 1830, and came out to New Zealand in 1863 in the ship “Echunga,” which landed at Timaru. He worked for four years on the Otipua station, and then bought a farm at Pareora, where he cultivated his property, and also carried on contracting for some years. Mr. Rapsey was the first to buy land and settle in the Pareora district. He was a member of the Pareora school committee. Mr. Rapsey died in 1896, leaving a widow, three sons and four daughters.

I hope that helps!