Help needed dating photo

[carolchipp]

I'd appreciate any suggestions re a date for this photo (on glass) and a possible age for the sitter
Carol

http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/carolchipp/bamberphoto.jpg

[Mutley]

Pictures on glass were called ambrotypes and were introduced in 1851.

With his wing collar, knotted tie, bowler hat and moustache I would take a rough guess at 1880 but he could probably be 10 years either way.

However, he looks very much like a Charlie Chaplin 'look a like' which could put him much later, by 30/40 years. ;)

[Hugh Thompson]

He looks quite young up close.
Hugh.
http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/oo154/hughpics2008/touchup.jpg

[David Annis]

A young man.
Clear eyes but slightly dark skin round them. His face has clean unmarked skin and he looks as if he is not over eating. His mustache looks like an early attempt. His teeth are in good condition.
The hat fits but then all men wore hats in those days.
The jacket fits and is almost overcoat thickness, so not of any great quality. The waistcoat, well again the usual apparel for clothes around the turn of the century, 1880/1900
The shirt may give it away that its not his normal everyday clothes.
His collar is not straight and the one wing looks as if its tucked inside.
I think he's 17/20yrs, in his Sunday best, possibly a birthday photo.
If it was a wedding photo then I dont think it would be a single portrait, as having your picture taken would have been fairly expensive.
It may well have been taken as a keepsake or a rather up market love token to give to a young lady.
Hugh you did a fine job with cleaning up the picture.
Cheers
Dave.

[Hugh Thompson]

Thanks Dave, I'd say it's his 21st birthday photo.
Hugh.:)

[carolchipp]

Thanks for the suggestions. Great job on the photo Hugh.
There are two possibilities. It's either my great grandfather, who was born in 1855, so 25 years old in 1880. Or it's his son who was born in 1883 so the photo would have been taken around 1900-1905. I was hoping his attire would date it but reading Mutley's post it seems not. I think it's probably the son but was hoping it might have been his father.
Carol

[Mutley]

Well, I am still not sure as neither seem to fit with your dates.

The ambrotypes (on glass) were very rare by the 1880s, that was the main reason I went for, about that date.

But during the early 1890s the trend for portraits was for the camera to move in closer for a head and shoulders shot and for 'vignetting' to be applied. This means the head and shoulders appear in an oval in the centre and the outer part of the picture fades away to white. The clothes go with the 1890s also.

If, it seems he could be 21 then we are looking at 1876 or 1904. Must be the older man. :confused:

[Hugh Thompson]

It could be the older man, take a look at the fashions of the 1860's at this site, (address below) I see the same coat collars and bowler hats around 1867.
Hugh.:)
Look at "People 1860-1900."
Victorian and Edwardian Photographs - Roger Vaughan Personal Collection

http://www.rogerco.freeserve.co.uk/index.htm