The first step in dating an old photograph is to determine what type of photo it is and when that type was being used. Is it printed on paper stock, metal or glass? How big is it? Read Identify Types of Old and Antique Photos for more information about cartes de visites, cabinet cards, daguerreotypes and more.
Photographer’s Stamp on Back of Picture
Check the back of the photograph for the photographer’s stamp. These began with a simple ink stamp or handwritten name, and evolved to include logos, fancy scrollwork, different colors, and even names of famous customers. (Click on image below.)
Clothing Fashions Help Date Old Photos
Both ladies’ and gentlemen’s fashions changed with time, as they do today. From hoop skirts to flapper dresses, from bonnets to bows to straw hats, fashions give great clues to the period of the photograph. Look for:
- Skirt length and shape
- Sleeve length and shape
- Necklines and collars
- Style of jacket
- Vests & Waistcoats
- Shoes
- Hats
A fashion in a photograph may mean that it was taken no earlier than a certain date, but be aware that it may have been worn for much longer. Not everyone could afford to keep up with current fashions, and what was new in the larger cities may take years to reach the frontier.
19th Century Hairstyles Help Determine Dates
Hairstyles are something that could be adapted quickly, without the expense of a new wardrobe. Changing styles include:
- Length
- Size and placement of bun on back of head
- Curls and ringlets – size, number, placement
- Whether or not ears are visible
- Bows, feathers and other accessories
- Length of sideburns
- Type of beard or mustache
Date Photos by Personal Belongings
With a household photograph, look closely at the items purposely included, as well as those that just happen to be in the background. Is there a clock or pocket watch in view? What books are in the bookcase? What about the design on the wallpaper? Is there sheet music on the piano? Jewelry styles can also give clues if it is new enough not to be a family heirloom.
Frontier photographs often seem odd to modern viewers; the whole family is gathered outside the cabin, and the sewing machine, rocking chair and possibly a mule are prominently placed. These are things that the family was proud of, and can give clues to the family circumstances. Keep in mind that the sewing machine and similar items may not be new, so using it to date the photo would give an earliest-possible date, but the actual date may be decades later.
There’s not usually much relevant background in studio portraits, but look to see if a painted backdrop was used. The style of the backdrops changed periodically, and can verify or narrow down the dates gleaned from clothing fashions.
Handle Old Photographs with Care
Remember that these priceless photos of ancestors are fragile antiques. Handle them as little as possible, away from sunlight and any source of moisture. Read Protect and Preserve Antique Photographs for more information.
Help in Dating Old Photos
The Roger Vaughan Picture Library is an extensive private collection of CDVs, cabinet cards, and early 20th century portrait postcards, viewable online. It has a good section on dating photos, with examples of fashion, hairstyles, and photographers’ stamps for various years. Remember that the photos there are all privately owned and under copyright protection.
Additional sources:
- American Museum of Photography
- Frisch, Karen. "Finding Clues in Old Photographs", Ancestry.com Article Archives
- Smith, Juliana. "Identifying the Subjects of Old Photos", Ancestry.com Article Archives
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