The following is a press release written by the Family History Federation:
Dating by Design: 1840-1915
This NEW BOOK by Stephen Gill, Dating by Design, fills a much-needed gap in the family history repertoire.
Dating by Design is a most readable book! The subject has been tackled in a very detailed yet organised manner which makes it extremely easy for the reader throughout the book. How many family historians have a box of old photographs of their ancestors lurking in a drawer somewhere? And they are not sure who it is or what date it is or what period it was taken. Well, help is at hand with this excellent book enabling them to date photos to a year!
The book is colour-coded by five-year periods based on the year the image was taken. Readers can read through the book or dip into it for whatever year particularly interests them. After a brief history of photography, the author then gives explanations as to the different types of images – daguerreotype, ambrotype, etc, and the various smaller cards like carte de visite and cabinet car.
The colour illustrations are exceptionally clear and show every detail. As the
author notes…when looking at your old photograph, once you have decided which type it is, start by looking at the sitter’s hair. He goes on to show a breakdown of all the style changes of women’s hairstyles from 1840 up to 1900. He applies the same thorough investigative method to other fashions of men, women, children with regards to hair, headwear, neckwear, skirts, trousers, jackets, shoes and so so .on for each period. No detail is missed out.
This new book truly is quite fascinating. And who knew it all began with the death of Prince Albert in 1861.
Federation chairman, Steve Manning, comments “This book takes a different approach to previous publications. It therefore is a must for all needing to accurately identify or date old photographs.”
Produced using quality materials to provide excellent reproduction of colour and detail. Available in hardback format.
Dating by Design is available NOW from Family History Books. £18.95 plus post and packing.
www.familyhistorybooksonline.com/dating-by-design-1840-1915-311