What a lively discussion on a snowy weekend! We dodged the big bullet this
weekend Ron!
I checked my massive bridal photo collection from 1880-1919. Her bodice
dates from 1898-1902. So here are my observations from my collection:
***About half of the photos during these four decades, the couple are
touching in the photo. Most of the time, it is the man's arm on the chair
or the woman is holding the man's arm as in a wedding march stance.
***I have a few photos in the later Edwardian period where the women at
sitting. By the early 1910s this trend is about 50/50. By the later
decade, the majority of women are sitting in the photos. By the 1920s, it
is commonplace to see the bride and groom sitting. In a lot of photos from
the 1920s/1930s all the women are sitting and the men standing. I wonder if
this bride is sick or disabled as to why she is sitting OR the photographer
is picking up on a new trend.
***Her hand position is very common in all four decades.
***Her face is more softened than any other part of the photo. I have
several non-bridal photos with this effect from the 1890s.
***His stance is very common in all decades. He actually shows a little
affection in his eyes.
***From my other photo collections from the 1890s-Edwardian, it is
commonplace for flowers pinned to their bodice at the waist or upper left
chest. I do have a few 1890s/Edwardian bridal photos with fresh flowers all
over the dress.
***Her leaning back in the chair is very popular for women's photos in the
mid-to-late Edwardian period. It gives a more relaxed look to the photo. I
have several 1910s photos with brides with this posture.
***I have seen hand-drawn with crosses on the post-mortem photos or the
last photo of the person alive. I have one of this type of "last alive
photos" of my uncle as a toddler from the mid-Edwardian period. A lot of
post-mortem photos have a lot of flowers in the photo of on the border.
When you look at it, you definitely know the purpose of the photo. Years
ago, there was a list-member whose family had been photographer for several
generations. She sent a lengthily message about post-mortem photos.
There is something on the photo near the right ear. You can see her
husband's arm through the veil. De I do see the suspicious area that might
be a buckle. I would like to grab the photo an put in my extreme zooming
software to see what these things are. I have bought a lot of photos on
eBay and when I zoom in very closely, I find all sorts of things. I looked
at the webpage code, but can not find the URL for the images. I have new
glasses and viewing HTML code is a challenge right now. If anyone can find
the photo image URL in the code, please send it to me.
As for the flowers...women were using dried flowers during this time. There
are articles in fashion magazines for the process of drying. Her flowers
may not have been processed properly.
Thank you for mentioning the painted eyes. I forgot about this. I do have
several professional photos with someone in the bridal party with their eyes
closed. I have often thought that the photographer did not sell the photo
or maybe that is why a family member did not hold on to a photo. Some of
these photos look brand new.
Penny Ladnier
Owner, The Costume Gallery Websites
www.costumegallery.com
14 websites of fashion, textiles, costume history
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