Dating Photographs from Abernathy's Studio, Belfast

[Runnicus]

Dear Members, The well-dressed gent in the full-length portrait is my great-great grandfather, John Kerr, Mariner of Carrickfergus; his birth date has not been found. He married Margaret Wilson in 1860 when he was reputedly twenty years older than his bride whose birth date is also not found (blame the very common names). Miraculously the family has a copy of their marriage entry - both are "Of Full Age". The last child found was born in 1875.
 
The head and shoulders photograph is of their son, David Kerr, as a midshipman, born 1870.

The down-to-the-knees photo is an unknown but owing to similarities of photograph and eyes could he be John Kerr's brother?

Can anyone help with dates on these please?

[jennifer c]

Can you show the backs of the original photographs.

Jennifer

[aghadowey]

Can you show the backs of the original photographs.

Jennifer

And also the whole front of the photos, please. Wording and lettering varied according to date. Here are some examples-
https://www.flickr.com/photos/37053660@N02/4353121489

[Wiggy]

Guessing mid 1860s for first one  . . . . . and possibly third.   

 I can't see liknesses so won't comment on that.

But yes, as requested  - all photo, with corners and backs are helpful for the daters.

Wiggy

[Runnicus]

Thank you, Wiggy and Jennifer, for responding. 

Sorry, I should have said.  Apart from my pencilled scrawl of their names, the backs are completely blank.  It's interesting you mention the 1860s, Wiggy, are you going by the fashion or the studio setting?

I've got two more of John Kerr's wife and children in worse condition and not Abernathy's.  I'll post them for comment later if that's OK.  Didn't want to overload anyone. 

Thanks, Ann

[Wiggy]

I am trying to guess by the Clothes . . .

But those who know will tell also by the corners on the photos and the settings.
 I am not brilliant at this . . Still learning and guessing, but I have photos in my book looking like similar clothes in the 1860s.   


You need the real dating people to drop in!   

[Treetotal]

The corners of Carte De Visites where square up to early 1870s when they became rounded off, so after that, but probably not much.
Carol

[jim1]

1. 1870's
3. 1860's & possibly a late 1870's reprint.
Seeing all of it would help.

[despair]

Internet searching for William Abernethy,photographic studios seems to suggest he opened his studio in Belfast in the mid 1880s.One newspaper snippet,which I think relates to his death in 1930 gives his age as 66,i.e.born circa 1864,consistent with the above(?).

Regards
Roger