An examination and explanation of clues to establish the
date of 19th century photographs.
This Week's Photograph - September 24, 2012
Photo Facts
Photo Type
Card Photo
Card Size
2.25" x 3.375"
Card Color
Off White
Card Edges
Plain
Front Imprint
Embossed
Back Imprint:
Advertisement
Print Technology
Collodion
About the Case Studies
Each week a new case study of a picture typical of 19th century 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 card photograph, it is actually an error to call it a cabinet card, is only a little over two inches wide and three inches tall.
This card style with its pressed artwork (right) and embossed studio name became very popular at the turn of the century. It ushered in the modern look. These cards were actually available in the 1897 Sears Roebuck catalog in over 16 sizes and styles.
Her dress carries over the large shoulders and sleeves of the mid-decade, yet they are more subdued.
The photographer is on Broadway in New York, and she obviously wears the latest 90s fashions. With the date, this is a great benchmark photograph.
Confirmed Date: 1899
We were lucky with this picture, "Jan 99" was written on the back in period ink, along with "With Love for Mother". It was signed J. Lecord or something close. See image below.
The shoulders and sleeves still keep some of the bulk from the mid-1890s, but are certainly more manageable.
This is a great hat to compare others with from the era.
You can become an expert at analyzing photographs.
Much of the information used in this 19th century photograph case study covered in the Identification Section of this web site. In addition, comparison to similar yet dated photographs in the Gallery of 1000 Images will help confirm the estimates. Even greater detail, organized for this type of research is available in PhotoTree.com's books.