Mystery photo from UK

[DavidTaylor]

Is it possible for you to show us the back?

I wish. Only had a copy and no idea who has the original

[PatLac]

So, if she is who you think she is this photo couldn't have been taken after 1883, right?

Here's another photo c. 1880 and the woman is wearing a dress with puff sleeves.

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-elderly-victorian-couple-circa-1880-outdoor-formal-portrait-in-a-rural-32174511.html?imageid=05872628-A33B-48A5-82A5-0B7AE6CC8CD2&p=164363&pn=1&searchId=96518880c47d54fca5c7377a22e45ed9&searchtype=0

[DavidTaylor]

It could, she died Feb 3, 1885. but again, this is all guesswork on my part.

[PatLac]

Of course. Do you think the hat/cap she's wearing is a sort of widow's cap?

[DavidTaylor]

Of course. Do you think the hat/cap she's wearing is a sort of widow's cap?

really not sure but I can’t imagine they are the same age. I think she looks much older than him personally

[PatLac]

I agree and they look very similar so mother and son is my vote. Although his wife also looks similar!

Maybe you could post the photo and ask for the resident photo experts to restore it so we could have a better idea of the hat/cap?

[JenB]

I'm far from being as knowledgeable on dating of clothing as are Gadget and Treetotal.

However the shape of the sleeves on the woman's dress are characteristic of the mid to late 1890's, not the 1880's. In the 1880's sleeves were usually fairly tight. The rather elaborate bodice with lacy insert and collar was also characteristic, according to my book on dating of costume by Jayne Shrimpton (also referred to by Gadget in reply #12) https://jayneshrimpton.co.uk/

Please refer to the photographs in the link which Gadget gave to confirm this. https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~victorianphotographs/history/date/main.htm

[Gadget]

I was just about to suggest that, Jennifer.

As David is only surmising who the people are and doesn't have the original, they could be anyone.

Gadget

Add - the cap is most likely a small 'day cap'

+ the man's outfit could possibly be from either decade

[Wexflyer]

What about the man's whiskers - another possible dating clue. They seem to be a somewhat earlier style than mid 1890s to me - but I am no expert. Just putting that out there as so one else has commented.