An examination and explanation of clues to establish the
date of 19th century photographs.
This Weeks Photograph - February 13, 2012
Photo Facts
Photo Type:
Carte de visite
Card Size:
2 3/8" x4"
Card Color
Natural
Card Border
None
Front Imprint:
None
Back Imprint:
Horizontal Ad
Photo Technology:
Albumen
Special
Rounded corners
About the Case Studies
Each week a new case study of a picture typical of old family photographs will be published.
These examples can help genealogists learn the skills that will help date their own photos.
An estimated date (if one was not available) will be given with a +/- number of years it could be. Dating old photos is a science that provides answers usually within 2 - 6 years of when the photo was taken.
This carte de visite offers many clues that it was taken in the mid-1870s.
First item that jumps out is the cameo or oval framing of the picture and the thick card itself with rounded corners.
The cameo mask (a template the photographer would use on the photographic paper when exposing the picture) became very popular in the 1870s. The oval was used on tintype sleeves in the 60s, and the mat in cased images since the 1840s. It more than just a decorative style, it hid flaws or stray artifacts in the scene from view.
Her collar and necklace was part of the 'busy' look of the 1870s. Her type of stylish hair came into vogue in this time period, with the plain, pulled back look of the 60s disappearing.
Documented Date: 1874
Card style 1870s
Cameo oval popular 70s
Busy collar and necklaces the rage in the 1870s
New hairstyle
Horizontal back imprint
Numerous examples of dated photographs, with similar card treatment and style in the gallery
The horizontal back imprint became popular in the 1870s, seldom seen in prior years. It allowed a larger image to be printed.
Fortunately, this card actually contained the date of '1874'. The card could have been used a year or so later, but with other clues, this is a valuable dating clue.
You can become an expert at analyzing photographs.
Much of the information used to analyze this photograph is covered in the Identification section of this web site. In addition, comparison to similar yet dated photographs in the Gallery section will help confirm the estimates. Even greater detail, organized for this type of research is available in PhotoTree.com's books. Learn More.