An examination and explanation of clues to establish the
date of 19th century photographs.
This Week's Photograph - May 13, 2013
About the Case Studies
Photo Facts
Photo Type
Carte de visite
Card Size
2½" x 4"
Card Color
Off White
Card Edges
Straight Cut
Front Imprint
None
Back Imprint
Medium Size
Corners
Rounded
Print Technology
Albumen
Each week a new photo case study typical of old family photographs is published.
These examples can help genealogists learn the skills that will help date their own photos.
An estimated date (if one is not available) is assigned 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 is a great image that shows the transition from the rustic looking cartes de visite of the 1860s and 1870s, to the more sophisticated images and styles of the 1880s.
The CDV card has rounded corners typical of mounting cards made after 1870. Prior to 1870 the cards were produced with square corners, which then became dog-eared. Rounded corners allowed the card to be inserted into albums much easier also.
Confirmed Date: 1879
The Man and His Style
He is neatly groomed, and the mustache is of the Wyatt Earp style which was very popular during the 1870s, though this gentleman's mustache is not as bushy as many others.
His tie is very modern for the time. The bow, string, and other styles left over from the cravat era were still widely used in the 1870s as the modern tie was slowly taking hold.
We were lucky to have a back imprint that included the year 1879.
This may not be the actual year the photograph was made - though it probably is very close. The photographer could have purchased enough card inventory that it lasted until 1880 or even later.
However, it is safe to say the photo was not made prior to 1879.
Of course the back imprint gives us the photographers name and city also which can be used in research.
.
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.