Husband or Son? Help please

[rubyrose]

This tintype was in a bunch of photographs borrowed from my husband's cousin and we can't figure out who these people are.

It would help if someone could date the picture and also give an opinion on whether they are mother and son or husband and wife. The check trousers and waistcoat are unusual, any ideas?

Many thanks.

Ruby

[madpants]

I think that they are husband and wife, he may be a little younger than her but she looks older because she seems to be having a really bad hair day.

Sorry can't date it for you though 

[chinakay]

Hi Ruby, the woman's dress says late 1880s to me, around 1887, 88 or even 89 but before the puffy shoulder (called a kickup) started in 1889. I think this lady is having a bad hair day because she has just taken her hat off!

Before I read Madpants' post I was going to say mother/son, because there is definitely a resemblance between them. Now I'm wavering again...I can see why you're not sure either This much I can say for sure, though...they are related, because they are touching, in the photo.

Fabulous old picture, I hope it cleans up!

Cheers,
China

[jc26red]

You're going to hate me for saying this but....

The lady looks like a man dressed in women's clothes! 
She has short hair which is very unusual, and her features are extremely masculine for a young woman. She is also wearing gloves and her fists clenched so we can't see the size of her hands, but the length of her thumb is equal if not longer than the man seated. If a man wore a bodice tightened like that, it would give him the look of having a female chest!
The unusual dress for the man seated makes me think that they were either in theatre or having fun dressing up for the picture.   
They do look quite similar so  perhaps they are brothers.

Everyone is going to shoot me down in flames now... I just know it!
jc

edited: just read China's thoughts on the hair being flattened by a hat, possible but still looks short to me

[Treetotal]

I agree with Jenny...the shoulders are very wide and the hips look unnatural and a little too high...there is a definite masculine feel to the female...this was my gut reaction even before I read Jenny's response ...the pose is more chummy too rather than familiar ....it's a woman thing
Carol

[rubyrose]

jc - how cheeky can you get - you did make me laugh because she does look very masculine now you come to mention it. Don't know how they kept straight faces if it is a man!

Seriously, my husband's great great grandad was born in 1841 so it can't be him. Great grandad was born in 1863 so it could be him but my husband doesn't think it looks like him (he's the one on the left in my avitar) I'm inclined to think that it does, but its his great granddad.

Any other suggestions? Otherwise it will be another mystery to drive me nuts!

Cheers

Ruby

[ludovica]

They look so alike, they could be brother and sister.

I think it is difficult to say for sure, but both sure do have "attitude"!

[madpants]

Unfortunately as soon as I saw this photo the 'lady' standing reminded me of a friend of mine who is most definitely female, she looks exactly like her to me.

And...speaking as one whom in no way can be described as petite, there are big ladies out there, in fact in a photo standing next to my sister in law who is on the short side it was remarked 'you look like a transvestite!' which I thought was particularly charming 

[ukpapasmurf]

Can I say that I too am not sure
But 'er indoors' says its mother and son - and dare not argue

I've given it a very quick clean
That doesn't help either

Smurf