Social class suggested by clothing - Levi Mark Cathedral Road, Cardiff

[hanes teulu]

Historical Directories (online)
"Kelly's 1895 Directory of Monmouthshire and South Wales" has Alexander Lawrence at 80 Queen Street. No entry in that Directory for a J. Lawrence, photographer.

The "Cardiff Directory 1901" has an entry for a J Lawrence, photographic artist, 3 St. John's sq.

I don't think J. Lawrence was at the 80, Queen Street studio for long. The only mention to date is August 1895 (newspapers).

 

[ShaunJ]

Looking at newspaper references, Alexander Lawrence (photographer at 80 Queen Street) died on 31 December 1894.

As mentioned by Hanes Teulu,  J Lawrence is reported as a photographer at that address in various papers in August 1895. "A very perfect photograph of the principal officers who were present in the service on Friday connected with the hanging of the old Crimean colours has been taken by Mr J. Lawrence, of 80, Queen-street, Cardiff"

John Lawrence had moved to St John's Square by August 1899 "At a convenient moment the whole party were photographed under the Castle walls by Mr John Lawrence, of St. John's-square, Cardiff"

So this photo dates from that 1895-1899 period.

[hanes teulu]

I had checked post 1901 Directories eg. "Wales Trade Directories 1912" in case J. Lawrence had returned to 80 Queen St - nothing found.

ShaunJ's "August 1899" newspaper find is a good one.  I think 1895-1899 is the period in question.

[ShaunJ]

I think we can narrow the window even further. J Lawrence is at 3 St John's Square in the 1899 Cardiff Directory which would have been prepared in 1898.

[ShaunJ]

"LADY'S Bangle Found in Queen-street.—Apply J. Lawrence, Photographer, 3, St. John's- square, Cardiff." (Evening Express 27th January 1898)

This narrows the window for J Lawrence at 80 Queen Street to the period 1895-1897.

[AJ100]

I would put the date at around 1880 -90 and the children are middle to lower middle class. They would definitely have dressed up for a studio photo.

Regards
AJ

[Regorian]

Plus Fours and lower middle class boys, I don't think so. More like upper middle class or above. Also I suggest you google Cathedral Road, Cardiff, they could well have lived there.

[angelfish58]

I have a photo of my grandad that dates from around 1907/8 and he's wearing an almost identical outfit to the older boy. I can't  tell the quality of the fabric or workmanship but the family was definitely  working class, great grandad was a driller in the shipyards.

[brigidmac]

i think the age gap between the boys could be bigger
Maybe 6 and 10 years
do you have likely candidsates for the ages and dates being suggested .?

if they are jewish and one is wearing a kippur ..is there an age to start wearing them ?

I never knew we had jewish relatives so am learning

the cloth looks very thick ...
I too think lower middle class but dressed up .