An examination and explanation of clues to establish the
date of 19th century photographs.
This Week's Photograph - June 27, 2011
Photo Facts
Photo Type:
Cabinet Card
Size:
4.25" x 6.5"
Card Mount:
Multi-Ply Board
Card Color:
Dark Maroon
Borders:
None
Front Imprint:
Small Cursive
Back Imprint:
None
Photo Technology:
Albumen (sepia)
About the Case Studies
Every Monday 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.
Past Cases
Front Side
Clues
Explanation
Dark Card - ~ 1884 - 1892
Bustle 1880s
Rounded shoulders < 1890
High Neck line: 1880s
Small text imprint: < 1890
Est. Date: 1886 +/- 2 Year
Numerous clues from this elegant photograph help narrow the date to the later half of the 1880s.
Dark maroon cards became very popular by 1885.
The bustle was still in vogue
Her shoulder pads have not yet become raised or pointed, which were first seen around 1889.
The sleeves are still tight on the arm, they progressively become looser and larger in the 1890s.
The high neckline and hairstyle can be seen in numerous 1880s pictures.
The small text imprint is indicative of early/mid 1880s.
View the 1880s section in Gallery for similar images. Click Here
How 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.