We have received pictures from 2 different sources. Each sender contends the picture they sent was of Cornelia Reynolds (who married Horace Fitch). I don't think they look like the same person or even appear to be from the same era. I'm no expert, but the hair style and manner of dress in the second photo appear to be from an earlier time period. Also, I don't think women changed their hair style so drastically back then. What do you think?
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I'm no expert, but I wonder if the curls on the forehead of the one on the left could possibly be swept clean up into the hairstyle on the right? I doubt it.
In my opinion the subjects of these two portraits are clearly not the same woman. Firstly, the shape of the faces are not quite the same, but their eyes are completely different. However, the dates are the critical factor in making any decision.
The photograph on the right was, I think, taken in the late 1850s or early 1860s. If it is a carte de visite, i.e. mounted on card, then it will be after 1860-ish, but if an ambrotype (printed on and possibly mounted under glass), then it may well be earlier. She looks to me to be in her mid- to late 20s or early 30s, giving an estimated birth date of c.1825-1840.
The portrait on the left was taken considerably later. It appears as though it could have been retouched a little, which can make it more problematic to date, and may have been trimmed somewhat. The shoulders of the dress are often very useful for dating purposes, and what I can see of them suggest a date of the early 1890s. If this subject is, as she appears, in her twenties, then I estimate a birth date of some two decades later, c. 1860-1875.
I hope that is of some help to you. Of course I would be pleased to hear if you come to some resolution.
Regards, Brett
oops, I meant to say "a birth date at least two decades later."
Diane...Look at the photo we have of Cornelia and Mary Jane Curtis..Can't remember where we got it...anyway. The painting of her and Mary Jane is copied from the photo that has turned up.
Do you think the younger looking photo could possibly be Ellen?
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