Figure 1.--This 1951 snapshot had a very narrow white border. It was an unusual format. It was similar to the stanfard 3X5" postcard size, but much wider. We have not seen many examples of this.

When trying to date indated snapshots you can go to the chronological pages above to see if the characteristics of your photo matches the suspected decade. Or you can look at the chronological range for the various characterustucs detailed here. When trying to date undated The various prints provide clues as to when the photographs were taken. Many early snapshots were done with postcard backs. And the 3x5" postcard format became the default size of most snapshots and the film size. The size, dimensioins, format, borders, and edges all had different time frames when they were popular, just like the CDV/cabinet card mounts provided dating clues. There were many different shapes. One of the most popular shapes was the basic in post card recatngular shape which was popular from the 1900s. We see square prints becoming popular in the 1950s. Sizes varied. For many years the 3 in x 5 in print was the most popular. We see larger sizes becoming popular with colored prints in the 1980s. The white borders like the snapshot on the previous page were common in the first half of the 20th century. The width of the borders varied. The borders were caused by the need to hold the photographic paper flat. The width of the borders varied. Thus the features and chateristics can be used to help date the many undated images we have found.

Dating Images

When trying to date indated snapshots you can go to the chronological pages above to see if the characteristics of your photo matches the suspected decade. Or you can look at the chronological range for the various characterustucs detailed here. When trying to date undated The various prints provide clues as to when the photographs were taken. The size, dimensioins, format, borders, and edges all had different time frames when they were popular, just like the CDV/cabinet card mounts provided dating clues. Thus the features and chateristics can be used to help date the many undated images we have found.

Postcard Backs

Many early snapshots were done with postcard backs. And the 3x5" postcard format became the default size of most snapshots and the film size.

Shapes

There were many different shapes. One of the most popular shapes was the basic post card rectangular shape which was popular from the 1900s. Thos was in large part because of the popularity of postcards. Virtually all photographic prints were rectangular. Squares are a form of rectangle. There are virtually no round or oval prints. This is because only rectangles use all the area of photographic paper. If you sgoot rounds and ivals ou wouldnot be using the full sheet--meaning wasting areas of expensive photographic paper. Now while virtually all prints were rectangles, rectangles can have various dimentions. By far the most common rectangle was the basic 3 in x 5 in postcard shape. Two larger dimebsuins were the related 5 in 7 in and 8 in X 10 in. This was largely based on popular sizes of photographic papers. We see square prints becoming popular in the 1950s. In merica this was the result of the popular, easy to use new Bronie Camera. We suspect the same thing was occuring in Britain.

Sizes

While almost all print shapes were rectangles including squares, thedimensions varied. This affected both the shapes and sizes. Sizes varied. For many years the 3 in x 5 in print was the most popular. We see larger sizes becoming popular with colored prints in the 1980s.

White Borders

The white borders like the snapshot on the previous page were common in the first half of the 20th century. The width of the borders varied. The borders were caused by the need to hold the photographic paper flat. The width of the borders varied.

Created: 10:21 AM 6/14/2019
Last updated: 10:22 AM 6/14/2019