Figure 1.---This boy is Llewellyn Walker. He was born in 1864 so we suspect the portrait was taken about 1870. He wears a fancy suit with elaporate tripe detailing. This was similar to many period sailor suits. In this case, however, the collar is not right. It looks to be more of an army outfit. The studio was Brigham in Scarborough. Notice the red ruling and the studio and city information at the bottom. The red color and ruling looks more like a 1860s than a 1870s CDV, but this example here shows that some of the 1860s styles being carried over into the early-1870s. Notice the use of the table.

The CDV became popular in England during the 1960s. And it continued to be the primary English photographic portrait format in the 1870s. We have so far found relatively few English cabinet cards from the 1870s. We see mostly CDVs, but only few are dated so we can use them here. We note mostly rounded corners in the 1870s, but are not yet sure about the chronology. And this can be a little tricky at some of the sharp corners wear down over time. English and other CDVs by the 1870s had destinctive fronts. We see far few blank mounts with no printing on the front or back. We do see mounts with an abreviated studio name at the bottomm left and the city at the right. This became standard for the rest of the century. We also see this format in other European countries as well, but not America. We do not see this printed information on the front of American CDVs which in the 1870s were largely replaced by cabinet cards. We also see cards with ruling off in colors to sort of frame the image. We believe the ruling began in the 1860s, in part we have dated images from the early-70s. We do not have, however, a large enough archive to date when ruling began with any preceision. Nor do we know how common ruling was in mounts. The color of the ruling and printing is also a factor. The background and stage props are also datable factors. Blank backgrounds also are characteristic of the 1860s and early-70s. We hope to gradually build a better view if this as such information can be helpful in dating the many CDVs that do not have notes in the back with the date.

Corners

We note mostly rounded corners in the 1870s, but are not yet sure about the chronology. And this can be a little tricky at some of the sharp corners wear down over time.

Fronts

English and other CDVs by the 1870s had destinctive fronts. We see far few blank mounts with no printing on the front or back. We do see mounts with an abreviated studio name at the bottomm left and the city at the right. This became standard for the rest of the century. We also see this format in other European countries as well, but not America. We do not see this printed information on the front of American CDVs which in the 1870s were largely replaced by cabinet cards.

Backs

We see printed backs in the 1870s. At first they were very basic with mostly texts and limited drawing.

Ruling

We also see cards with ruling off in colors to sort of frame the image. We believe the ruling began in the 1860s, in part we have dated images from the early-70s. We do not have, however, a large enough archive to date when ruling began with any preceision. Nor do we know how common ruling was in mounts.

Color

The color of the ruling and printb is also a factor. The red color here seems more associated with the 1860s which is understandable becuause we believe it was taken in 1870.

Studio Setting

The background and stage props are also datable factors. Of course there are variations from studio to studio, but there are some general trends. Blank wall backgrounds are characteristic of the 1860s and early-70s. Blank backdrops are almost universal in the 60s and are still common in the early-70s, but by the mid-70s we begin to see painted backgrounds that gradually become more elaborate. The same are true of textile covered tablesand the use of curtains. Using textile covered tables was very common with Dags in the 1840s nd 50s, but disapper during the 70s. The elaborate curtains are something that was not common with Dags, but become bery popular in the 1860s. we still see some in the early-70s. We also begin to see more furniture being use to set up the portrait. And we see more props such as musical instruments and toys and not just the child standing or sitting doing nothing.

Created: 4:16 AM 7/14/2012
Last updated: 9:28 AM 5/4/2016