Photo Dating. COMPLETED

[dawsheath]

I'm not sure if this will work and I am a complete dinosaur when it comes to trying to upload photos but this photo was taken in India where my grandfather was born in 1884.  I wonder if this very faded photo is of him but I do know that he had a brother several years older than him.

I would be most grateful if anybody could help date this photo.

Many thanks

[chinakay]

So faded, what a shame

GW Lawrie was taking photos in the Lucknow region in the 1880s and 1890s, and I have found a photo by him apparently after he expanded to Bareilly and Ranikhet, so as yours only has Lucknow and Naintal on it, I suggest it's from the earlier part. The chair is a typical 1870s thing with the horrid fringework on it, so early-mid 1880s perhaps?

The boy's clothing is also kind of typical for the times.

I have some information on Ranikhet if it's any use to you.

Cheers,
China

[dawsheath]

Thank you China for your thoughts on the photo.  My grandad was born in 1884 so if the photo was taken at that time then it probably wasn't him unless he was very big for his age!  His brother died before my grandad was born so maybe the photo is of a different family member.

Once again, thank you.

[chinakay]

Any design or printing on the back? if so could we see a scan please...everything's a clue

[Lynntony]

Hope you don't mind me having a go at this. I've used a little artistic licence on the background and just cleaned up the face a little, but thought that, if you could see a little more of the facial features, you might be able to tie him down to a particular family member. ( If you don't like it, I can delete it)

Tony

[dawsheath]

Yes, there is writing on the back.  The photo is larger than 500 kb so I have copied it and hope it works!  You offered some information on Ranikhet - is that a place?  It's not a place I know.  My family were in Bihar and Lucknow.

Thank you.

*Moderator comment:  image changed from PDF to JPG to allow online viewing *

[dawsheath]

Wow Tony.  Thank you!  I must show my mum this - she may be able to see if this is her dad.  Doesn't it make a difference to see it so clearly.

Many thanks.

[Lynntony]

If you want others to have a go at the pic just change the title of your post ie Restore please etc. 

This is quite a rough go at the pic - there are some brilliantly talented restorers here as well.

Tony

[dawsheath]

That's good enough for me.  It shows the background which I didn't realise was there at all!