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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: Cynfran on Friday 13 April 18 22:45 BST (UK)

Title: Hoping to date this photo of boy with train
Post by: Cynfran on Friday 13 April 18 22:45 BST (UK)
I would be most grateful for any idea as to when this rather strangely posed picture was taken. It was produced on a metal plate, sized about 3" x 2".
Title: Re: Hoping to date this photo of boy with train
Post by: Treetotal on Sunday 15 April 18 13:44 BST (UK)
I would say early-mid 1890s.
Carol
Title: Re: Hoping to date this photo of boy with train
Post by: Cynfran on Sunday 15 April 18 13:50 BST (UK)
Thanks Carol. That would certainly narrow it down a lot.
The picture was found amongst my Mother's things and there is now no-one to ask about it.
The picture was in a little frame with a string hanger, so must have been displayed as quite significant to someone in the family.
- Cynfran
Title: Re: Hoping to date this photo of boy with train
Post by: Treetotal on Sunday 15 April 18 14:03 BST (UK)
If you have the original and would like it restoring....scan at a resolution of 300dpi...you will need to amend the subject title to include a repair. The photo is a mirror image and would look like this>
Carol
Title: Re: Hoping to date this photo of boy with train
Post by: Cynfran on Sunday 15 April 18 14:15 BST (UK)
Thanks for the kind offer Carol, I'll have to see if I can find it. How interesting about the picture being a mirror image, was that due to the process involved?
-Cynfran
Title: Re: Hoping to date this photo of boy with train
Post by: Treetotal on Sunday 15 April 18 14:25 BST (UK)
Yes that's right.
Carol
Title: Re: Hoping to date this photo of boy with train
Post by: Treetotal on Sunday 15 April 18 14:44 BST (UK)
I wonder if it could be three generations...Two sisters with their Father in the middle and their Husbands with the children.
Carol
Title: Re: Hoping to date this photo of boy with train
Post by: Cynfran on Monday 16 April 18 09:08 BST (UK)
It's certainly a thought thanks Carol, or possibly two sons and families?
Based on your estimation that photo taken in early 1890's, then the younger men could possibly have been born around 1860-1870 and the older perhaps 1830's ?
- Cynfran
Title: Re: Hoping to date this photo of boy with train
Post by: Mowsehowse on Monday 16 April 18 09:22 BST (UK)
What a brilliant photo, and such a shame you don't know who they are.  :'(

Perhaps I am imagining it, but the woman behind the older child seems to have badges on her jacket? So a uniform of sorts perhaps?
Title: Re: Hoping to date this photo of boy with train
Post by: Treetotal on Monday 16 April 18 09:47 BST (UK)
I think the two women are very much alike.
Carol
Title: Re: Hoping to date this photo of boy with train
Post by: Gadget on Monday 16 April 18 10:01 BST (UK)
Quote from: Treetotal on Monday 16 April 18 09:47 BST (UK)
I think the two women are very much alike.
Carol

and they have very similar noses and cheeks to the man in the middle  :)
Title: Re: Hoping to date this photo of boy with train
Post by: McGroger on Monday 16 April 18 12:24 BST (UK)
Had a go at a restore but can't really do it justice; too blocky.

I agree with Carol and Gadget that the two women look very much like sisters, more so than the men being brothers.

Peter
Title: Re: Hoping to date this photo of boy with train
Post by: Cynfran on Monday 16 April 18 16:39 BST (UK)
Thank you Carol, Gadget and McGroger for your interesting opinions regarding the subjects' relationships and also McGroger for the restore. All given me fresh hope of an answer. Cynfran
Title: Re: Hoping to date this photo of boy with train
Post by: AJ100 on Tuesday 17 April 18 10:10 BST (UK)
Was this taken in America? The locomotive the child is holding has a spark arrester that he is hiolding it by and spark arresters were widely used in the States. The date of the locomotive would be anything from 1860 onwards but I agree that the photo would be around 1895.

Regards

AJ
Title: Re: Hoping to date this photo of boy with train
Post by: Cynfran on Tuesday 17 April 18 19:29 BST (UK)
Thanks AJ110. What an interesting idea regarding the train, well spotted! It opens up a whole new 'can of worms'!
Your and Treetotal's time frame makes for a useful line of searching, there were indeed family members who emigrated to America and the picture could well have been a memento of loved ones who were unlikely to be seen again.
Thanks also to mowsehowse for your comments, sorry I missed your post at first go.
-Cynfran