An examination and explanation of clues to establish the
date of 19th century photographs.
This Weeks Photograph - Dec 12, 2011
Photo Facts
Photo Type:
Tintype
Sleeve Size:
2 3/8" x4"
Plate Size
Gem
Sleeve Border
Gold Artwork
Front Imprint:
None
Back Imprint:
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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 paper sleeve is the most datable portion of this tintype. Typical of the 1870s, with printed artwork, it replaced the more expensive embossed sleeves of the 1860s. Not really a complete sleeve, it was usually just a covering with a window, then the tintype was placed on the back and another piece of paper was glued on, holding the tintype in place
This is a larger 'gem' size. As the picture below shows, it is approximately as wide as a quarter. Gems as small as a dime can be found. Gem tintypes were popular from the mid 1860s through the 1870s.
This elderly woman is still wearing a tightly pulled back hair style of the 1860s, with a comb on the back of head. While the 1870s styles were sporting curls and looser hair, it is not uncommon for the elderly to keep an older style. The dress is fairly conservative also, still found in around 1870.
Estimated Date: 1872 +/- 2 Years
Several examples of photographs of tintypes of similar size and sleeves are available in the gallery
Instead of gluing a plain piece of paper on the back to hold the tintype in place, this photographer used the space as an advertisement. This became common place from the late 1860s forward.
L. Horning was a Philadelphia photographer throughout the 1860s and early 1870s. He advertises not only these gems at '2 for 10Cts' and the newer 'Card' photographs (Carte de visite) for $2 per dozen.
It is interesting that the ad also includes "PRESERVE THE PICTURES OF YOUR DECEASED FRIENDS" by copying old daguerreotype and ambrotypes. This is a mantra that continues today for genealogists and historians.
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.