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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: USCRx on Thursday 30 November 17 14:31 GMT (UK)
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This is a daguerreotype in my possession. I have assumed is was my g-g-g-grandmother, Janet Moscrip. It was pretty spotted, and I had it professionally cleaned last year. I'm wondering if anyone had a date range guess, based on clothing, hair style, studio, etc. I can post a photo of the case, if that would help. Thanks!
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My guess would be 1850s but Jim will be more precise...I wouldn't mind seeing the whole thing including the union case and unrestored.
Carol
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Just to educate me can I ask what a daguerreotype is please? :)
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Just to educate me can I ask what a daguerreotype is please?
They were the first photographs ever produced commercially in 1839.
The image was superimposed on a thin sheet of copper covered in a light sensitive gel.
The image you see is what went into the camera (no negatives) & the images were always in reverse as you can see by her wedding ring.
Agree with Carol although with an older lady who's pretty much covered up it's difficult to see any detail other than the Brettelles of her bodice which are typical of the 1840/50's - early 1860's.
As Dags were superseded by Ambrotypes in 1851 my conclusion would be 1840's - v.early 1850's.
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Thank you for the explanation Jim :)
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Here's the case opened and closed. Hope this helps in the dating.
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Oh it is lovely isn't it...thanks for sharing. I can't add to Jim's date but for comparison my early 1860s Ambrotype can be seen here and:
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=737233.msg5832053#msg5832053
The front of mine is nearly the same but black but it only has one clasp and yours has two.
Carol
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Although the earliest Daguerreotypes & Ambrotypes are far superior in quality to the later albumin prints.
I much prefer them to anything else & it's nice to see one in such good condition.
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I would agree with that too.. I think she looks to be in her mid late 40s. She's not yet going grey and doesn't appear to have cheek Jowls.
Carol
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Usually with these hand coloured portraits they were sent off to a miniature artist with a note re her clothing complexion etc.
As she's wearing black & is holding what may be a prayer book or book of Psalms begs the question who died ?
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That's a really good point Jim...I was wondering about that too.
Carol
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We are happy to help but if you don't respond, we have no idea if our suggestions help you in your search ::)
Carol
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I had not thought about this photo occurring around a period of grief. Janet was a very good day woman. I have a copy of the Bible she gave to my father's great aunt. However, in 1848, she lost 2 of her grandsons and her son-in-law to dysentery. Do you think this might fit with the photo?
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I meant to type she was a very godly woman.
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It's quite possible as 1848-50 would fit well with this.
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I'm sorry. Those 3 passed away in Sep.1847, but her husband passed away in Oct. 1848. Any thoughts about which of these might be connected to the photo?
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It could be either but I suspect it's for her husband. The usual term for mourning was 2 years for a spouse.
It could be this is at the end of the 1st. year as she's wearing a white bonnet. If she stood strictly by convention she would be in all black for the 1st. year.
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Thanks so much, Jim! Very interesting!
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I wonder if she could be holding a daguerreotype of her late Husband?
Carol
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I wondered about what she was holding too. It looks slimmer than a book plus it's open slightly with her finger in the gap. I don't know but wouldn't imagine you would do that with a bible.