Date of photo? Another Cowen but not sure which one...

[MJBatten]

Hi again,

Another Cowen from Newcastle area. My guess is it's either Sarah Cowen or the mother of Sarah who was Margaret Cowen. Again, depending on the date I am not sure which one it is.

Thank you.

MJ

[PatBot]

A reply in the Mr Cowen thread by Hillhurst may help in this one as well...

 "It's definitely 1871 to pre-1887. In 1887 P.M. Laws became "P.M. Laws & Sons".
Peter Maitland Laws began appearing in local trade directories as early as 1859/60. By 1871, his business was based on Blackett Street. Comparing the fancy logo artwork on the OP's photo to the later "P.M. Laws & Sons" logo, I'd agree with Gadget and date the photo as circa late 1870s.

Hope this helps solve the date.
Pat

[MJBatten]

Thank you for this Pat

[jim1]

Sorry have to disagree. Not 1870's, the bodice & skirt are wrong
for that decade. It's 1880's & looking at the thickening of the top
of the sleeve I would suggest mid-late decade.

[MJBatten]

Thanks Jim. I can disregard it being the mother then. It is one of the daughters, but still makes no sense. As I have been told PM Laws became PM Laws and Son around 1887 but if it's Mary Cowen she'd be 14/15 in this photo, a bit young maybe? the other sister wasn't born until 1879, so cannot be her. There was an older sister born in 1868, so could be her. That's if PM Laws and Son added Son to the photo card straight away. I don't know how printing then real works, but if you have card in stock already with the old logo, my guess is you'd use it up before buying newly branded material. I guess it will have to remain a mystery as to which sibling

[Gadget]

I've only just seen this.

I think Pat was quoting from another thread, Jim, but didn't do the quote correctly.   I agree with you that it's 1880s.

The photographer became ' & sons' in 1887.

Gadget