Old photo for dating please

[AlexHoughton]

Dear All,

I recently came across this photo and I've been trying to work out who the photo is of, regrettably without much luck. I would be very grateful for any help with the date.

Is the little one a boy, as it is hard to tell from the face?

As well as this, on the back by the negative number there is the name Jones, from experience does this make it likely that the family who ordered the photo are the Jones’s?

I look forward to hearing your suggestions. 

Many thanks,

Alex. 

[AlexHoughton]

Here is the back.

[dave-the-rave]

hi dont know if this site will help in wales http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/wal/VicPhoto1.html dave

[chinakay]

1880s by the design on the back, and likely early. What the lady is wearing isn't much of a date indicator, as it's pretty generic and not much is visible under her strange outer garment which looks like a sort of mantelet. The photo may actually be a reprint as the floor is extremely fuzzy and out of focus, more common in 1860s photography. Reprints were often made after a person had passed away, as a memorial photo.

So....not much help I'm afraid Alex

Cheers,
China

[AlexHoughton]

Thank you Dave, that is a really useful link that I will hold onto for future research!

[AlexHoughton]

Dear China,

Awfully kind of you to reply so quickly. That is all very interesting, I would not have even considered that the photo might be a reprint.

I think I may struggle to work out who it is in the photo. Perhaps if it is a reprint, I can find someone else in the family with a copy that knows who the photo is of.

Have a lovely Christmas.
Cheers and kind regards,

Alex. 

[Brittaya]

Not sure if this helps you at all but it kind of looks to me like the woman might be pregnant. I hope you can figure it out!

Britt

[jim1]

I don't think it's a reprint,I think it's just a badly taken photo.The strange garment is called a dolman which was a type of shawl with arms.Her bonnet is called a toque.These are associated with older women but it's difficult to say from this how old she is.
As China says 1880's & probably early-mid decade.
It's not usual to see a name next to the number so it probably is the customer.
With regard to the child it's impossible to say if it's a boy or girl as they were dressed the same at this age.

jim

[chinakay]

A dolman, right. The dolman sleeve is still around.

If it's not a reprint, the photographer should have been strung up