Who Were They?

This sweet little photograph shows a girl in repose, resting her head on her hand as though she is thinking deep thoughts. As I often do, I wonder what color her dress was. I am currently working on a dress for my daughter that is teal silk with raspberry ribbon trim, and so I am going to imagine this dress in those colors as well. I do wonder why the entire chair was covered by a blanket. Was it to manky for her liking? Did the photographer not want her wee shoes on his fine chair?

The back reveals that the image was made by Photographer and Artist A. D. Lewis at 113 Scotswood Road, Newcastle-on-Tyne. This may have been a secondary studio as it also indicates that “Old No. 5 Hinde St. Studio Unchanged.” I’m taking a guess at the decade of this portrait being made as the 1870s. There are slightly rounded corners, possibly due to age, but the weight of the card is not as light as those in the 1860s. The red ink used is unusual, but not unheard of, so that doesn’t help me. The style of dress is suggestive of the 1860s, but the style carried over to the 70s. Effectively I’m guessing by process of elimination. Anyone who knows better please feel free to comment and correct me. :-)