Identifying Your Photos
Photograph Types
- DAGUERREOTYPE (1839 - 1870,
approx.)Metal
- CALOTYPE (1845 - 1855, approx.)
- AMBROTYPE (1854 to the end of the Civil War) Glass
- THE TINTYPE (1856 to W.W.II) Metal
- THE CABINET CARD (approx. 1866 - 1906)
- THE STEREOGRAPH (1849 - 1925)
- THE WET PLATE PRINT (c. 1853 - 1902)
Identifying Features
Several noticeable features in old photos will help to you to
identify them.
Consider the following:
For
the Ladies
- Hair styles
- Bodice
- Neckline
- Sleeves
- Accessories
- Background items
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For
the Gentlemen
- Coats
- Shirt
- Necktie
- Trousers
- Hair and Beard
|
 |
Identifying the type of photo as above can begin the process of dating
the picture. By consulting fashion and grooming trends, many
photographs can be identified for dates within a very few years.
Consult the web for costume dating and grooming trends. Carefully
inspect the photographs for clues such as photographer's identity and
added markings such as dates and names. Many photographers can be
studied to find out the period within which they offered their
services. Jewelry, watches and other accessories can often be dated.
Question relatives, do they recognize anyone in the image?
Don't forget to consider ethnic cultural origins. If you have
more than one photo of an individual, attempt to use multiple pictures
to add up the clues. You can also compare photos to cataloged images
for date and style comparisons.
There are many good books available, follow this link to
Amazon if you would like to check out an excellent book on
this subject.
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