An examination and explanation of clues to establish the
date of 19th century photographs.
This Weeks Photograph - March 5, 2012
Photo Facts
Photo Type:
Cabinet Card
Card Size
4.25" x 6.5"
Card Color
Beige
Card Edges
Scalloped
Front Imprint:
Printed
Back Imprint:
Full Artwork
Print Technology
Collodion
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.
The wonderfully composed photograph is full of well established clues as to its date.
The gigantic sleeves were at their peak size in the 1895-1896 timeframe. The slightly viewable topknot at the back of her head was a late 1890s fashion statement also.
Beginning around the middle of the 90s decade, a lighter, softer studio setting was in vogue. In particular, white or very light colored rattan or wicker furniture was used for props.
Lastly, the fine, even, serrated edges were appearing on the scalloped cards. Prior to 1895, the cuts were very uneven, of different heights and widths. The method of creating high quality dies to cut the cards must have improved. This was the era an industrial revolution.
Documented Date: 1896
While the cabinet card was dated on the back, the four clues described to the left would have put the card at that near-exact year.
Click here for other late 1890 cabinet cards. Other categories in the gallery that show similar images is Women's Fashion: 90s Shoulders, and Topknot Hair. Also, the Studio Prop: Wicker gallery, and Miscellaneous: Scalloped Edges offer many similar examples.
Back Imprint Information
This cabinet card was fortunately dated on the back. The date was a convenience for the photographer as well as the customer. If the customer desired a reprint, the photographer could find the negative easier from the dated card.
Unfortunately not all photography studios used this self documentation. It would certainly help genealogists in dating their old photographs.
The back of this card is very interesting on several accounts. First is the clean design which is very attractive. Second, we are lucky enough to have the date actually printed on the card. This is probably within a year or so of when the picture was taken. This helped in card stock inventory management, but also help the photographer find a negative is someone came in wishing a reprint. Also, the following paragraphs point out another use of the date.
From the photographic history perspective, the words printed on the lower card portion are interesting. They read:
"This photograph is warranted to stay good TEN YEARS from date. If there should be signs of fading before the expiration of that time, it will be substituted by a new one on demand without charge"
Here it is 116 years later and the photographic image is magnificent. The photographic technology at this time, in an experienced photographer's hands, was very capable of producing quality, lasting photographs. The guarantee on the card was a fine gesture of making a customer seem very secure in their purchase, and they would probably return with more business.
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.