Figure 1.--A HBC reader has provided us this portrait of an unidentified Ohio family. We might have dated it to the late 1870s, but it apprently was taken in the mid- or late 1880s. The two younger chilren look to be a boy and a girl. Image courtesy of the BP collection.

Here we have the children of what looks to be an affluent family. There are five children, three boys and two girls. All we know for sure is that the family was from Ohio. We might haVE guessed that the portrait was taken in the late 1870s, but it appears to have been taken in the mid- or late 1880s. We think there are several helpful chronological indicators here. Note the older boys wears a stock rathar than a tie and stocks were not very stylish by the 1880s, although the boys wide collar does seem like a 1880s style. I'm not sure how to date the girls' dresses. Perhaps a HBC reder will have some insight here. Also note the younger boy's long knee pants and small bow. Both of these seem more appropriate to the 1870s than the late 80s. The HBC reader who has the portrait tells us, "The portrait is not dated, but it appears to be from the late 1880s. There is a patent note on theback which tells us that the portrait is not earlier than 1886. And what I have seen from the 1880s fashion supports this theory."

Created: 11:52 PM 8/16/2005
Last updated: 4:00 AM 8/18/2005