An examination and explanation of clues to establish the
date of 19th century photographs.
This Weeks Photograph - September 19, 2011
Photo Facts
Photo Type:
Carte de visite
Card Size:
2 3/8" x4"
Card Color
Natural
Card Border
Two thin lines
Front Imprint:
None
Back Imprint:
None
Photo Technology:
Albumen
Special
No tax stamp
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 1863 Carte de visite (CDV) is actually dated in period style on the back. That helps us confirm our studies.
This time period marks the introduction of mass produced card mounts. Early CDVs were mounted on bristol board cut by the photographer. With the introduction of factory produced cards, different border styles are found. The earliest one had two thin lines that framed the image. In 1864, a thin and thick line bordered the image is found.
The balustrade he is leaning on was used quite often in the early 1860s, to the point that scathing editorials were written about them being overused. The simple background (with no painting) and the tall wall trim at the floor was standard in studios in the early part of the decade.
His overcoat collar is trimmed in velvet, the fashion style of the early 1860s.
Date: 1863
Civil War era Carte de visite
Card mount with two thin border lines - pre-1864
Early studion setting of a balustrade (and sometimes columns) mimicked the masters' paintings. Common in early 1860s
This style of coat with a velvet collar was popular in early the 1860s
Stark studio wall and floor.
There was no Federal tax stamp on the CDV, which was required from August 1864 - August 1866
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.