Date Request: Photo from Vine's Studios, Wangaratta, Victoria, Australia

[Seaton Smithy]

Hi.

I would like opinions on the date for this photograph, please.  Apologies for the quality, it is the best I have as I do not have the photo in my possession.

Separate to this I am trying to find out the years the studio was in operation as this has proven useful in dating other photos.

EDIT: I have found references to John Vine operating in Beechworth from 1889 to 1900, but have also seen photos from Vine's Studios credited beyond that date.

EDIT 2: On Trove I found reports of John Vine making a deposition in court in 1897 and offering to take photos for the local council in 1905, so probably operated outside the dates above.

[Treetotal]

My guess would be Edwardian.
Carol

[Seaton Smithy]

Thanks, Carol.

That would indicate it could not possibly be the man it was proposed to me it was.

This is the second photo that has been purported to be him - the first was from the right era but both the men in the photo were the wrong age.

[Seaton Smithy]

It has been suggested to me that although the card is Edwardian (and that appears to coincide with the period the photographer was active in Wangaratta) the actual photo may be earlier.

The reasons given are that the circular "ghosting" would be a  way of separating the individual from a group photo, the beard is not in the Edward V shape and the waistcoat does not have a distinctive V shape.

I would be interested in opinions.

[mozza29]

A couple of fun ones for you.  Regards,  Morrie

[Matsinoah]

Searching for my Dad's (89) Dad's missing roots. First evidence of his existence found 1914 aged 24, family never knew his family. Dad said his mum said she had a photo of him with is older brother. We have found a bunch of photos of unknown people, this the best, and think it must be him, the younger one.  Matched it with one of him near death, died day before what was believed to be his 76th birthday Richmond Victoria Australia. Was a horseman, Married Dad's Mum from El Dorado country Vic in Wagga Wagga over the border in NSW Dec 2017, first child born Feb 2018.  Dad wonders if this pic may have been taken around time of his marriage.  Would also like to know more about Vines Studio.  We are facing a solid brick wall and are very excited after finding these photos, especially this one. Fingers x. 

[Neale1961]

As you do not give a name for the person you seek information on, it is not possible to Provide help.
It would be advisable to start a new topic in the Australia forum.

[Matsinoah]

Didn't think to do that. Hoping to date the photo. Name Herbert (Bert) Gray. As died day before believed to be his 76th birthday August 1965 believe born August 1899, but we don't know where. Have DNA tested Dad, myself and my daughter and have us on multiple platforms. We have so few DNA matches with Gray surname, it's conspicuous by absence. Marriage Cert shows parents Herbert Gray and Kate Moloney both deceased at time of marriage. Have even less matches with Moloney surname. Unable to find BC or put any Herbert Gray with Kate Moloney (or variations) marrying, living or having died, either of them or any of them together anywhere. Eg only 15 Herbert Gray died in Victoria Aust between 1889 and 1917 and all were under age 15. 1st evidence of Bert's existence found him living in a room in Richmond Victoria 1914 aged believed to be 24.  Surprise in ethnicity also. Have not been able to get anywhere with close matches able to put likely above Bert, with common other surnames either. But this and some other old photos feel like a break through after up against a solid brick wall. Thank you for your advice, will take it.   

[jim1]

The style of dress suggests a starting date of around 1910 owing to the
2 1/2" starched collar of the seated man.
They were short lived & I've not seen one after 1914.
However the general style could be anywhere from that date & into the early 1920's.
Oddly it's the bench that stands out as this Art Deco style furniture wasn't around
as early as 1910 & was first seen late war & became the norm in the 1920's.
As they are both dressed in identical suits & the standing man has a corsage suggests
a pre wedding photo, so 1917 is a distinct possibility.