Dating Photograph - T Tufnell Thompson, Blackpool

[Treetotal]

It could be earlier. Men dressed like this over a long period.
However the gold embossed cardstock is a v.late 1890's style & typical of the 1900's.
I don't think I've seen it any earlier.
It wasn't unusual for studios to carry on trading under the original name, often by their wives.

A
That would have been my guess too going by the gold embossed card....I have a few in my collection...that was before I read your answer Jim. He looks to be in his 20s
Carol

[IgorStrav]

It could be earlier. Men dressed like this over a long period.
However the gold embossed cardstock is a v.late 1890's style & typical of the 1900's.
I don't think I've seen it any earlier.
It wasn't unusual for studios to carry on trading under the original name, often by their wives.

A
That would have been my guess too going by the gold embossed card....I have a few in my collection...that was before I read your answer Jim. He looks to be in his 20s
Carol

I agree Carol, I'd thought about 23 before reading your response. 

[David Lea]

Thank you everyone for your time and trouble in replying to my post.

It's left me in a bit of a quandary in that from the ages of my grandfather and his brothers (1877, 1884 and 1887), it would suggest that it must have been taken some significant time after the death of Thomas Tufnell Thompson in 1892.

It may be explained as Jim suggests, that such businesses may continue to trade in the name, even after the person has died, so that must be the case here I think?

From my estimate of their ages, I think maybe 1905... this would put my grandfather in the middle as aged 28yrs, the chap at the right (who I think looks next eldest) as 21yrs and the man on the left as 18yrs.

Could be totally wrong, I know that but probably the closest I'm going to get?

Thanks again for your help.

David

[*Sandra*]

I believe that Ernest Thompson (son) succeeded Thomas Tufnell Thompson

Here is the family in Blackpool in 1891 13 Wellington Terrace

Thomas L Thompson   52 Born Macclesfield 1839. Photographer.
Ann Thompson   56 Born Didsbury 1835.
Ernest A Thompson   25  Born Manchester 186. Photographer
Geraldine Taylor   38 Niece. Widowed. Assistant. Born Manchester 1853.

Sandra

[David Lea]

Just another thought... I can't be 100% sure that the two men with my grandfather are his brothers but I feel pretty confident they are... if they are... then the youngest man actually died of TB in 1907, meaning the photo must have been taken prior to this date.

[*Sandra*]

1901 13 Wellington Terrace Blackpool - Ernest A (Ayrton) Thompson

Ernest A Thompson   34 Photographer.
Ada Thompson   36
John Whittaker   63
Beatrice Thompson 3
Gertrude Taylor   51 Photographic Assistant
Ann J Ashcroft   46


Sandra

[*Sandra*]

"Photograph of Wreck of the ship 'Sirene' of Sonsberg at Blackpool".
Copyright owner of work: Ernest Ayrton Thompson, South Beach, Blackpool.

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C9253113?descriptiontype=Full&ref=COPY+1/410/85

Sandra

[Trishanne]

It would seem that Ernest Ayrton Thompson took that photo in 1892, the wreck of the 'Syrene'.
in that case it doesn't sound as if he is continuing the business in his fathers name. Very curious.

[Treetotal]

Maybe David has the wrong family...easily done...dating is not an exact science and there will always be exceptions. Although I have to agree with Jim on the date for the card stock.
Carol