by debsstock » Tue Jun 29, 2010 10:05 pm
Hi Katherine
I definitely think that the ladies in the the two pictures could be one and the same - take a close look at the ears in particular - they are very similar in shape and angle, and ears are quite distinctive (US immigration used to require ears to show in visa photos as they can help with identification). Also, the shape of the nose, especially between the nostrils where it appears to "droop" slightly in both pictures, suggests it's the same person, and the set of the eyes is similarly wide. If they're not the same woman then I'd say they are very closely related.
As to the date of the second photo, my immediate reaction was late 1860s because of the very sloping shoulders and slightly low-set sleeves, and also the hairstyle - centre parting, pulled back into a bun, with ears showing. Actually, however, a similar hairstyle was also prevalent in the 1880s, and the high neck with "pie-crust" frill is very characteristic of the 1880s, so overall that's what I'd go for - and it could be as early as 1880, but not really earlier than that as hair tended to be more elaborate, worn higher on the head and with a fringe, and sleeves were set much higher in the 1870s. It's a shame we can't see the skirt as that would probably help to solve the question.
I'd say late teens to 20 for the age of your young lady - so that might just tie in with the other pic if she didn't "wear" too well as she got older!
All the best
Deb