An examination and explanation of clues to establish the
date of 19th century photographs.
This Weeks Photograph - August 8, 2011
Photo Facts
Photo Type:
Cabinet Card
Image Size:
4 1/4" x 6 1/2"
Card Mount
Multi-Layer Card
Card Color
Enameled White
Card Border
Fine Embossing
Front Imprint
Printed
Back Imprint:
None
Print Technology
Collodion
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
Woman's Dress
Embossed Card Edges
Rich Colors
This lovely woman's dress gives a couple significant clues as to the date. The raised shoulders were popular throughout the 1890s.
The most accurate clue however is the sleeves. The very early 1890s sleeves were tight to the arm, then they gradually became looser until the mid-90s they were very large and bulbous. Beginning in 1896 they became less bulky, more stylish, and extended further down the arm. These sleeves are typical of post-1895 style.
Another great clue is the fine embossing around the edge of the card. Introduced around 1893, they are found very frequently on 1896 era cards. An enlarged part of the card at left highlights the embossing.
Another clue as to the 90s is the rich hues of the photo. Collodion-based photo processes began replacing albumen in the late 1880s. Albumen was a surface base of the photo, and is characterized by a sepia tone. Collodions exhibited rich blacks and dark blues or purples with great tonal range - like this photograph. By the late 1890s, sepia photos were seldom made.
Estimated: 1897 + or - 2 Years
Late 1890s Cabinet Card
Shoulders and Sleeves are after 1895
Very fine embossed edges around card are usually 1895 and later.
Rich hues of card is collodion process of the 1890s
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.