Figure 1.--Some of the CDVs and cabinent cards had dates printed on the back. Here we are not talking about dates and names parents have written on the back, but rather printed dates with the nanes of the studios and other commercial messages. We believe that these dates are relatively good indicators of when the portraits were taken. Here we see a Dresden CDV dated 1888 by the Vienna printer. We think the portrait was probably taken in 1888.

Some of the CDVs and cabinent cards had dates printed on the back. Here we are not talking about dates and names parents have written on the back, but rather printed dates with the nanes of the studios and other commercial messages. Sometimes there is a date without explanation. This seems to be a kind of dating system with the studio ordering new cards. In some cases the date is placed in connection with the printer's name. With these cards we believe that these dates are relatively good indicators as to the date the portrait was taken. Other cards have awards the studios have worn with the dates for these awards. The portrait would presumably have been taken at least a year after the latest award. We think that generally the portraits would have been taken within a few years of the latest award. Some cards have copy rights. Again we think the portraits would have been probably been taken at least ayear after the copyright, but within a few years of it. We think this is in part because astudio would not have wanted old dates in their cards as this would have suggested tht the studio was backward or not keeping up with the times, but here we are only speculating at this time. Perhaps reader will know more about this.

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Created: 3:14 AM 12/27/2006
Last updated: 3:15 AM 12/27/2006