An examination and explanation of clues to establish the
date of 19th century photographs.
This Weeks Photograph - August 15, 2011
Photo Facts
Photo Type:
Tintype
Image Size:
2" x 3 1/4"
Sleeve Size
2 3/8" x 3 7/8"
Card Sleeve
Deep Embossed
Card Border
None
Front Imprint
None
Back Imprint:
None
Print Technology
Tintype
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.
This tintype is uncommonly well composed and executed, obviously from a skilled photographer. Most tintypes from this era are not of this quality.
The paper sleeve covering the tintype was embossed with a deep and bold pattern. This is typical of pre-1870 embossing. Later embossing became very fine and shallow.
The photo size, with a large sleeve opening is typical of late 1860s and beyond. Earlier images were usually much smaller.
The women's cheeks and lips are very lightly tinted. The level of excellent workmanship faded in the early 1870s.
The dresses seem to embody the hoop style and contain some of the popular military chevron-like trim, highly popular during the civil, fading in the late 1860s.
Hair styles became less conservative in the late 1860s, with use of curls, some sculpting. and not tightly pulled back.
Estimated: 1869 + or - 2 Years
Late 1860/1870s Tintype
Heavy embossed sleeve typical of 1860s. Embossing became much finer in the 1870s.
Image area became larger in late 1860s.
Finely tinted cheek and lips, quality typical of mid-sixties. Became lost art after 1870
Dress are hoop dresses with military-like chevrons
Hairstyle less restrictive than plain, tightly pulled back of early/mid 1860s.
Click Here for similar tintypes and here for late 1860s examples.
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.