An examination and explanation of clues to establish the
date of 19th century photographs.
This Weeks Photograph - April 23, 2012
Photo Facts
Photo Type:
Tintype
Size:
2 1/2" x3 1/2"
Sleeve
None
Front Imprint:
None
Back Imprint:
None
Photo Technology:
Tintype
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 photographic style of the subject, with a pronounced vignette of the image, where the background is faded away quickly, is typical of the late 1860s and early 1870s. This allowed the photographer to concentrate on the subject and not have to worry about the background and props.
The sausage curls, seen in the 1850s, enjoyed a revival in the late 1860s. Usually worn only by young girls and women, they were considered very stylish, if not flirtatious.
The off-the-shoulder look can be seen frequently in other photographs of the time.
Estimated Date: 1869+- 2 Yrs
Tintypes sometimes offer very few dating clues other than the person's style and clothes. This is because the technology changed very little over its lifetime, and any supporting evidence such as paper sleeves with artwork are usually long since worn out and discarded.
Click Here for similar image with young girls and sausage curls
A Young Mona Lisa Look
The quality of the photograph at the time it was taken was excellent.
The clarity and sharpness of her hair, earrings, and comb, complement her somber yet innocent look.
Over time the image has begun to ripple, probably due to excess collodion used on the tintype. The collodion base is what the silver nitrate would adhere to. The collodion was a liquid poured onto the plate, if it was too thick, cracks or ripples could occur easier.
There are some significant scratches to the image, but none through critical areas. These flaws just add to the character of the photograph.
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.