Introduction

A short talk about various aspects of the art of understanding family photographs, particularly those from the 19th century. A book such as Robert Polls "Dating Nineteenth Century Photographs" will help to fix a date for those elements of the photograph listed below.

Remember that in the 19th century in particular, photographs were expensive and took time to arrange with the photographer and/or studio as well as the sitters. Generally, there was a special reason for the photograph, try to work out what was the occasion.

Aspects of the Photograph

* Print & Format

* Types of Mount and/or Frame

* Studio/Photographer Identification

* Setting/Composition

* Women's Dress Fashions

* Women's Hair & Hats

* Children's Clothes

* Men's Clothing

* Men's Hats, Hair & Neck Clothes

* Uniforms

* The Occasion being Celebrated

Print and Format

* Is the picture printed on glass?

* Is the picture printed on metal?

* If on paper, is it black & white or sepia tones?

* If b & w is it good contrast or shades of grey?

* If coloured, is this done by hand?

* What type is the paper, thick, thin, postcard?

* Square, landscape, portrait, circular, vignette?

N.B. some types of processing reverse the image!

Print Dates

Print Dates

Daguerreotypes c.1841 – early 1860s (most common c.1845-55)

Ambrotypes (collodion positives) c.1852-1890s (most common 1855-early 1860s)

Another unique picture, the ambrotype was a negative image on a glass plate, backed with black varnish ( shellac ) or velvet to create a positive photograph. Image may be reversed.

Cartes de visite c.1858-1919 (most common c.1860-1908)

The small carte de visite , measuring around 10cms x 6.5cms, was the first commercially produced card-mounted photographic print.

Cabinet Prints c.1866-1919 (most common late 1870s-c.1910)

In 1866 the cabinet photograph was introduced – another print mounted onto card, but, measuring around 16.5cms x 11.5cms including the mount, over twice the size of the cdv.

Tintypes (ferrotypes) In Britain 1870s-1940s

The tintype, or ferrotype , is identifiable as a photographic image struck directly onto an iron plate. Image reversed.

Portrait postcards c.1902-1940s

As its name suggests the size of postcards, with space for message and address etc on the reverse.

Types of mount

* What size is the mount, in inches?

* What thickness is the mount card?

* Are the corners round or square?

* What colour is the card, soft or stronger, dark?

* What lettering style is used on the front?

* What is the design on the back – plain or fancy?

* Does the reverse include birds, plants, fans etc?

* Does the mount or frame seem to be missing?

Studio/Photographer Identification

* Is the photographer identified on the front or back?

* Is the name/address listed anywhere?

* Are any dates of awards, exhibitions given?

* Is any royal warrant claimed?

* Is business in Post Office/Kelly's directories?

* Taken in the studio, at home or outdoors?

* Background: screens, stands, props etc.?

* Furniture: e.g. chairs, benches, leather, or plush?

Setting/composition?

* A large or small group of people?

* An individual?

* Height: full, three-quarter, half, head & neck?

* Is anything displayed, books, trophies?

* Are there any flowers/bouquets on display?

* Are the hands and rings prominently displayed?

* Any other unusual aspects?

* Family likenesses between faces?

Women's Dress Fashions

* Dresses or skirts with bodices?

* Corsets, crinolines, bustles, trains?

* Blouses, ruffs, necklines?

* Buttons plain or ornamental?

* Sleeves, long, short, or in between?

* Sleeves, narrow, wide, or both – also cuffs?

* Gloves, worn or held in hands?

* Skirts full, narrow, long, short etc.

Women's Hair & Hats

* Ringlets, loops or coils of hair, extra hair?

* Bun placement, central, back of head, top of head?

* Central parting, ears covered, ears exposed?

* Plain or ornate style; fringe: plain or crimped?

* Bonnet or indoor cap?

* Pork pie hat, small hat, boaters for women?

* High neckline, pie-crust frill, small collar, brooches?

* Varied neckline, frills, scarves, jabots?

Children's clothes

* Christening robes?

* Boys wore dresses until 'breeched' circa age four.

* Sailor suits – boys, sailor skirts/tops – girls?

* Ribbons or frills, skirts layered or flounced?

* Short crinolines showing pantaloons – girls?

* Knickerbockers or “Little Lord Fauntleroy” look?

* Smocked Yoke dresses, Scottish look, e.g. plaids?

* Plain, elaborate or complicated girls styles?

Men's Clothing

* Frock or morning coat, Dress suit or Lounge suit?

* Lapels long or short, wide or narrow?

* Everyday or working clothes?

* Waistcoat high or low fronted?

* Norfolk jacket, reefer jacket?

* Trousers wide/narrow, pinstripe, creases, turn-ups?

* Shoes, boots?

* Walking stick, cane, riding whip?

Men's Hats, Hair & Neck clothes

* Top hat, how high, what crown?

* Top hat brim - flat, wide, narrow?

* Boater, homburg, bowler etc style?

* Collar height?

* Cravat, large/loose, or narrow tie?

* Shoes square or pointed, spats?

* Hair short or long?

* Beard and/or moustache style?

Uniforms

* If uniform, Army or Navy?

* Dress or service uniform?

* Reserve or full time?

* Cap or other headgear?

* Regimental badges on cap, sleeve, or tunic?

* Insignia of rank of sleeves, shoulder?

* Belts, tassels, swords, guns, pouches?

* Puttees and boots, cavalry boots, spurs?

The Occasion being Celebrated?

* Christening?

* Girls' “coming of age”?

* 21st Birthday, or other, flowers/jewellery?

* School, college or work event?

* Engagement (spot the ring), maybe girl only?

* Wedding or anniversary (beware assumptions)?

* Mourning, generally females?

* Going off to war?

Conclusion

* We know the family line of the sitter(s).

* We can estimate the date of the photo.

* We know the location where it was taken.

* We can guess the status of the sitter(s).

* We can guess the relationship between sitters.

* We can guess a likely occasion.

Match all the above to the individuals in your family tree and you may be able to put a name to the person!