Help with dating, etc.

[PrueM]

Ooh, quite early - the man's clothing suggests 1860s at the latest.  In fact, I'd suggest this might be a reprint of an earlier photo than that, possibly 1850s? But need China/Jim/Old Rowley/JDJames to have a look at it to be sure. 

Can you get it out of the album so we can see the card and what's on the back? This could clinch a date - the actual photo could have been printed 1900 but the original image is much earlier.

Cheers
Prue

[chinakay]

Ooh...yes, very early. As Prue suggests, we'd like a look at the surrounding backing, if you could slip it out of the album page. But also as Prue suggests, I think this may be a reprint. However, if so its a reprint of something early.

Cheers,
C

[Cornopean]

Many thanks chinakay and Prue! Unfortunately I haven`t got the original at the moment but hope to have it soon. I know for sure that there is nothing on the back. If it`s 1850-60 it rules out the person who I thought it may be so I`ll have to think again.

This is a photo of my Grt. G,Mother. If this is around the same date, the mystery man could be my Grt. Grandfather.

[chinakay]

Ah, now it's this one that's around 1905ish, give or take a bit depending on how fashionable she was. Way different time frame.

The guy, now, don't you think he looks like Johnny Depp.

Cheers,
China

[Colin Cruddace]

I love browsing this board and the marvels that are proguced. I also pick up a bit of knowlege here and there, and this is what Johnny Depp should have looked like. 

[chinakay]

Good catch, Colin

Cornopean, the point Colin is making is that images on glass, ambrotypes (which this image probably originally was) are reversed because they were developed directly on the glass without a negative. So this is how the sitter was actually posing

Cheers,
China

[Cornopean]

Thankyou, chinakay and Colin! I had no idea that the image was reversed. I have a small box of glass negs., not as old as the two photos posted -  must have a go at printing them, but haven`t got the equipment to do it now. I was a process camera operator in the printing trade and did print a couple some years ago which was quite easy, except that finding the right grade of paper. It was either extremely hard or very soft. I`ve only a very basic scanner but will have a go.

[Cornopean]

Many thanks chinakay and Prue! Unfortunately I haven`t got the original at the moment but hope to have it soon. I know for sure that there is nothing on the back. If it`s 1850-60 it rules out the person who I thought it may be so I`ll have to think again.

This is a photo of my Grt. G,Mother. If this is around the same date, the mystery man could be my Grt. Grandfather.

Please can you date this one? Is it the same person?

Edit: I think I`ve made mess of this - it refers to reply#11