Dating two photos of the Watson Family

[McGroger]

Just a couple of thoughts on the people in these photos.

After working on them closely, I think that there is quite an age difference between them, particularly if, as Carol has indicated, the photo of the lady could be up to a decade later than that for the man. (Note that although they were taken in the same position in the same studio, they are sitting on different chairs, the camera angle is different and the tones of the photos are quite different.)

If they were husband and wife, you may be looking at an age difference of up to 20 years or more between them. Alternatively, could they be father and daughter? (They both have unusually pale, piercing eyes, which could be a family trait - or I may be completely wrong!) 

Hope this helps. Cheers, Peter.

[medpat]

They look similar and like McGroger I feel they could be father and daughter. Their eyes do appear to be a family trait.

 

[Girl Guide]

Hi Peter and Medpat - Thanks for your comments.

Gosh what a difference doing a clean up makes! Really appreciate that Peter.

I did the back of the lady as that was cleaner than the male one but his is just the same.

I'll have to have a look and check if I have a good enough photo of Kate Watson to check out the eyes. Now that the photos have been cleaned up you can get to see more detail.

Such a pity that no names or dates were put on the photos.  Would have made life so much easier if that had been done.

Perhaps I had better go through my photos and put names and dates on them.  That will take a while!!!

[Treetotal]

I think they were taken in the same studio at the same time which points to 1870s rather than 1860s, the man's beard is called a Newgate Frill. I believe they could be man and wife, just my opinion. The corners are rounded so more likely to be early to mid decade.
Carol

[Girl Guide]

Many thanks for your opinion Carol, much appreciated.

[jim1]

The woman is early - mid 1860's & as they were both taken in the same studio with the same backdrop the one of him was probably as well.
The cardstock is mid-late 1870's so reprints.

[Girl Guide]

Thank you for your input Jim.

I have just discovered from the Fading Images website that Thomas Stearn was made bankrupt in 1864.  So he then decided to set up as a photographer and in August 1865 advertised in the local Cambridge newspaper as a photographer.

So the photos that I attempted to attach!, must have been taken any time from 1865 onwards.

[jim1]

must have been taken any time from 1865 onwards

No.
The Stearn cardstock is mid-late 1870's & are reprints of earlier photos. This doesn't mean Stearn was the original photographer.

[Girl Guide]

Ok Jim, fair enough, I'm willing to accept that.  I don't know very much about dating photographs and certainly not early ones.