Dating 4 old pictures, from the late 1800's??

[papereater]

People,

Hope this is the appropriate forum to post this subject, but I have 4 old pictures found in an abandoned building. They look to be from say, 1890' or even earlier(?). Does anyone know if there any telltale signs? The fashion styles of the clothes? I also included pictures of the back of 3 of then, if that helps. The pictures are very rigid, and seen fragile if bent. Some of the corners are cut at a 45 deg angle.

Thanks, people.

 

[webestang64]

Ah yes, the old tintypes. Those started in the 1850's and their peek was in the 1860's-1880's. But they lasted into the 1930's. Yours are I'm sure before 1900. Cool stuff. I have many in my collection.

Tintype - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[480sparky]

To me, the clothes look 1900-1920.

 

[papereater]

Wow, so good to know! Thanks, web and 480. So, since fashion could place the pictures in a more compact time frame instead of the span of 80 years or so for the technology, that to me is a more likely period to date them. 1900-1920. Hmmmmmmm.......

 

[webestang64]

To me, the clothes look 1900-1920.

I think you are right. The lady's clothes are not as "puffy" as the older dresses.

 

[papereater]

You guys are pros!! Thanks for your replies!

 

[cgw]

Agree with 1890-1914 but no later.

The lady is uncomfortably corseted judging from her upright posture and somewhat pained expression. Corsets virtually disappeared after WWI and were losing ground before the war. Dress
is ill-fitted and not something she likely wore regularly. Borrowed clothing?

The girl likewise looks unaccustomed to her dress. Obviously dolled up for the shot. Wondered
initially if it was a boy, since Victorians often put boys 5-7 in skirts and leggings till they were "breeched." This had passed by the period we're presumably looking at.

The man is apparently stressed by this "Sunday best" get-up which could have been borrowed at the photographer's studio. Bad haircut pomaded into submission? Laborer or farmer? Note the same couch-like seating in two of the shots.

 

[PhotoHobbyist]

I had to date a photo and used the photo technology and the women's clothes to date it.
Women's style of clothes change much quicker than mens.