How to Date Photographs & Victorian Fashion

Compare details of the costume in the photograph with what you find in original or reprinted documents of Victorian fashion (see Resources). Because being photographed was still an occasion in the Victorian period, most of those pictured will be in their most elaborate outfits. Women's skirts will be full and show no more than the tips of shoe toes peeking out. Their elbows will be covered and their hair usually done "up." Girls may show more of their legs, but in stockings, and their hair will be long and down. Babies and young children will be dressed androgynously in long frocks. Men are most likely to wear full suits with high, stiff shirt collars and vests that may have their own lapels. Military uniforms require specialized knowledge to identify, and in those cases you may need to refer to historical books or legitimate websites that identify military designations from that period.

Identify furniture, toys, and other items shown in the photograph. Photographs were often taken in studios, with the people posed stiffly in front of painted backdrops and with furniture supplied by the photographer, but especially in photos of children you may see favorite or typical toys and small items such as little carts that might be drawn by dogs or goats. Look for these items in the periodicals, or search for them online to compare photographs.

Examine the photograph itself. Daguerrotypes and ambrotypes are certainly Victorian-period pieces, but silver-emulsion prints on paper may be harder to distinguish from "old-style" photographs. Sepia color is not enough to date a photo. Tip the photograph so that light reflects off the surface at an angle. If the darkest areas appear almost raised off the paper, it may be an early emulsion called "albumen." It may also be a "real-photo" postcard, which may even bear postage and an address on the back. Period photos also often appear on small "cartes de visite," including the subject's name or signature, or pasted onto cardboard backing that identifies the photographer. If there's contemporary handwriting on the card, it should be in pencil or fountain pen.