Here’s another unidentified photograph. The cardboard frame says it’s from Kalamazoo, but of course, it could be a copy. That said, I have noticed that most of my photographs of adults have been taken in Kalamazoo, not brought from the Netherlands or mailed from the Netherlands either. Nevertheless, maybe my unidentified pix fit into that latter category!
I have no notes from Grandpa on this one. He’s certainly Dutch, even the frame is from a Dutch photographer. He’s balding, but tries to make up for it with his rather wild mustache. Looks like he uses a curling iron for it.
His glasses are noted. But what I find particularly interesting is the color and tie. Surely that is a style from a certain period? Maybe even the cut of his coat lapels?
His posture is ramrod straight, so he at least wants to give the impression of a business man or upstanding citizen.
Any ideas about this one? Decade? His age?
The Family Kalamazoo 
No idea as to timeframe, but it’s an impressive ‘stache for sure!
Isn’t it, though?! He must have spent some time in the mirror with that!
I have no skills in dating photographs. I have tried many times only to be proved very wrong. Best of luck in finding this person.
Thanks, this is one I have so few leads. Sigh.
He may have used moustache wax to get it into place.
Is that something they had in those days? I bet you are right!
I distinctly remember reading about the products used at one point. This is really out there but maybe you could try looking up what the popular products were for a man’s toilette during the late 19th century-early 20th century. That might give you some clues. For example, if hair pomade was very popular at a certain point, the main’s hairstyle might reflect that. Also things like sideburns, mutton chops, and goatees also came and went from fashion.
P.S. This looks like a handlebar moustache. Can that be used as a dating guideline? Check out Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handlebar_moustache
EmilyAnn, I always think of handlebars as being the down sloping, but I can see from the link that they can curve up, too, so I think you are correct.
Well the clothes and his collar could be mid 1800’s to early 1900, and from the collar, I have seen this before, some of the men who had long necks didn’t turn their collars down, but left them in the up right position. And from things I have read, i tlooks like in the early years they had curlers of some kind for the moustaache. Hope this helps.
Oh, you think the color is meant to turn down, but he left it up? Kind of like whether someone buttons their top button today or not? I think I have seen mustache curlers before that look a little like tongs, right?
I am not good at dating from clothes—but that collar is pretty distinctive. I googled shirt collars, and I think that’s a Wilton. And I think they were popular around 1900, but don’t quote me on it! As for his age, despite the balding, his skin is too smooth to be much more than in his 40s. Maybe even his 30s?
A Wilton. That sounds cool! Was it meant to stand up straight like that? I think he’s one of those blonds that look young until you realize one day they are old looking hahaha. Yes, maybe 30s. He could even be in his 20s and an early baldie, I suppose. But he’s no kid IMO.
From the photos I saw, yes, it was supposed to stand up like that. If you google it, you should get some images.
My brother was pretty much bald by his 30th birthday (after having gorgeous curly thick hair). So this guy could certainly be that young.
What strikes me about this picture, Luanne, is its clarity. The details are amazingly authentic. I’m guessing the late 30s – early 40s? Great one, regardless!
Sheila, isn’t it great?! I love how wonderful these old photos have stayed. And the quality they were to begin with. Your date guess seems either too late or too early to me, depending on what century you mean ;). Most of these photos are from the 1890s, 1900s, 1910s. But there is always the possibillity of one earlier than that sneaking its way in, especially if it’s a copy made back at that time. I’m not sure about too much later than that period, though, as Grandpa (born 1980) would have known who it was.
That mustache is awesome. 🙂 I also thought that the collar looked very distinctive–and from reading previous comments–I now know that may be a Wilton.
Why did I think I answered you and there isn’t a response here? Sigh. Thanks, Sheryl, and so sorry to be so late!
I don’t know if this site is of any use to you, but it makes for interesting reading at the very least: http://www.familychronicle.com/dating.htm.
This website looks fabulous! I can’t wait to examine it closely and try out some of my photos! Thank you so much, Rose.
I’d say 1890s but I don’t know when he lived. Did you give his dates? The tall stiff collar could probably be dated.
I have no idea what his dates are, unfortunately. It does seem that way about the collar! I wish I were better at clothing, but then I always worry that someone is wearing out of date clothes!
Please can you provide me with the name of the photographer. I cannot decipher the name properly. Maybe then I can provide some details on the identity of the photographer…. Please contact me by e-mail.
Hubert, the photograph is in storage. I will look for it and contact you about it. I think it is some variation of Reitsema or Reitsma, but I can’t be sure of the spelling. However, it is a photographer in Kalamazoo, Michigan–not a photographer from the Netherlands. So either it was taken in the U.S. or it is a copy of one taken earlier. I suspect the former.