Figure 1.--One of the characteristics of prints is the edge. Some have smooth edges, others have a rough, jagged edges as if ghey were torn instead of cut. Our initial assessment is that this was common from the 1920s to the early-60s, but seem especially prevalent in the 1950s. We hope to gradually refine this assessment. We are not entirely sure when this first appeared. Here we see an example taken somewhere in Germany during Christmas 1959.

The sizes, shape borders, edges, and printing styles can be useful in dating images. Most snapshots are undated so understanding the chronoloogy of the various print characteristics can be very helpful in dating available snapshots. This is important because in our assessment because time patterns are an important of our fashion assessment. We like to follow fsashion trends over time. Without being able to date images we can not do this. There are several ways to date images. Knowing the time ange of the various print characteristics is the primary dating tool. Some may be similar to the haracteristics of American prints, but this needs to be confirmed. Understanding the chronologu of German prints is espcially important. The German photographic industry was the largest in Europe. And the German industry inflinced patterns throughout Europe, espcially central and eastern Europe. Thus understanding the chrnology of German prints characteristics will help us understand the chronology of many other countries.

Created: 6:34 AM 11/30/2008
Last updated: 5:56 PM 5/5/2018