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CJ Max | all galleries >> Galleries >> JOHNSTON Family Album © 2005 > Isabella Johnston Graves in Winter (#25)
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Restored 2005 Cliff. Johnston

Isabella Johnston Graves in Winter (#25)

Flint, Michigan, U. S. A.

Another image of Isabella - this one in winter. It must have been cold as she has kept her heavy coat on (and the photographer has a blanket drapped over the arm of the chair just in case someone needs it?).

Colleen, thanks for the fashion comment, "Women wore gloves when they dressed in that era, not for comfort but for style. Winter and summer no lady went out without her gloves."

From an original tintype photograph which was scanned, emailed to me, and restored in 2005. The tintype image measures 2-3/8"x3-3/4". full exif

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Journey 11-Oct-2005 02:40
Just like today, photos taken during the 19th century could be in a "dress up" style--including props. This may or may not have actually been winter time. Even the backdrop doesn't allude to winter. Many women would dress in winter outer clothes for photographs when they were attempting to conceal pregnancy. (Note the slight bulge of the belly. This could be due to a cinched waist and ballooning skirts, or pregnancy. Without having a closer look at the picture, I'll go with pregnancy.)

The coat sleeves are nice and loose, with what appears to be a tighter sleeve underneath, which is most certainly an 1870's style. Dress sleeves and bodices tightened up in the 1870's, I believe more-so after the "tween" years, at the advent of the bustle, say around 1875-6'ish. I am close, if not dead-on.

I do not believe that the colour of purse was stylish with winter attire. However, I believe it wasn't until precisely 1870 that the style of clasp on the purse came into use.

Style and positioning of the hat can date this photo as early as roughly mid 1870's.

What is the material of the trim down the front of the coat and for the collar?

Poor Isabella certainly looks older and more tired in this picture than in photo #23!

~J
Coleen Perilloux Landry22-May-2005 21:52
Women wore gloves when they dressed in that era, not for comfort but for style. Winter and summer no lady went out without her gloves.