Young lad 1860s?

[Westfrem]

Hi all

Another one of those photos. Looks like the posing frame again!
Any ideas on date, age of subject, possible ocassion?

Thanks

[PrueM]

We're into the 1870s with this one, I think - 3/4 pose, big chair, thick card with rounded corners, design on the back...could the occasion be to do with whatever he is holding? It might be a medal, but unfortunately it's faded out too much to be certain 

[Westfrem]

Thanks

Have had a closer look at photo but as you say it is very faded now. I think the object may be a watch but you may be correct with medal. What is with that hat?

[PrueM]

I did wonder if it was a watch     The hat looks like it might be a uniform cap, whether it really is or it just looks like one to modern eyes is the question.  He might have just got his first job, or got an award from his place of work...all pure speculation!

[jim1]

Agree with Prue,mid-late 1870's.
Although posing stands were fazed out around 1870 as lenses improved they were on occasions used for children or sometimes older chaps who had a problem keeping still.
His cap is typical boyswear for the time.They wore similar into the 1920's.
Looks like a watch,if it was a medal wouldn't he be wearing it?
Maybe a birthday photo.

jim

[Westfrem]

Good point!

Another no match!!

[Seoras]

May I propose an answer to what he is holding 

Joking apart, I've seen the exact back dated 1879 so 1870's looks good.

[Westfrem]

Yay an entrepeneur in the family!!

More like what I will be holding in 2 minutes!!

Thanks Seoras

[Whipby]

Just to add my two pennorth, for what it's worth ... whatever he's holding must be on a chain or a ribbon or something else which is bunched up in his hand, because it would be difficult to hold that object, using just the tip of his thumb and his knuckle as he is, without dropping it - unless it's on the end of something clutched in his hand.

My guess is a watch on the end of a fob chain, and to me he looks about 12.

One of my ancestors was awarded an education medal for good attendance and punctuality at school, although it was on a clip rather than a chain, but maybe, given his young appearance, it could be something like that?

But it looks more like a watch to me, it looks too thickly bevelled to be a medal in my opinion.