Can you estimate the approximate date of this photo? [closed]

Question

I have the photo above from a family album showing Sir Maurice Fitzgerald, one of the Knights of Kerry in Ireland (FitzGerald-965). I would like to verify if the man pictured is the 18th Knight of Kerry (1772-1849) or the 20th Knight of Kerry (1844-1916). They were both called Maurice Fitzgerald. Perhaps there are clues in the decor, clothes, furniture in the photo that could help narrow down which decade the photo was taken? Thank you for your help.

Comments

What is the photo printed on? That would be a clue.

The earliest photos of people were made in 1838, and were printed on metal, ie, Daguerrotypes. These were common in the 1840s and 1850s. These were also usually in ornate cases, and not in albums.

If it is in an album, the photo is of a later period.

This suggests to me that the photo of the later Sir Maurice.

Edit ... second thoughts ...

I searched for images of Sir Maurice, and a couple come up that look very different from the man in this photo. Much more distinguished looking. So, my “logic” seems somewhat weak.

See https://www.maritimeviews.co.uk/byy-biographies/fitzgerald-sir-maurice-bart/

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Thanks George. I might go in to the photo shop and see if they can tell by the paper that the photo is printed on, good idea.

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Just a thought, the elder Maurice and the younger were both knights of Kerry, but only the younger was a Baronet in his own right (of Valencia) he the 2nd his father the 1st. Does that make a difference?

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Ooh, this is getting even more interesting! Thanks for that.

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Used as a profile image, that photo appears to have been hit by the blue-negative "bug".

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yes, is there any way around that blue-negative bug?? Thanks Melanie

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Only way I know is to make some minor alteration and reupload.  I can do that, if you like .. crop it for use as a profile image, while retaining the larger for other use.

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OK, I'll give that a go

Answer 1

Is there significance to you of the "Bar(r)" after Fitzgerald? It doesn't seem to be a part of his name on either profile.

Comments

To me it looks like "Bart", that is, Baronet.

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Thank you, that is interesting. I didn't know what the Bar/t next to his name meant either.

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Good question.

Answer 2

The Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) is the official archive for Northern Ireland. They have much information on the Knights of Kerry. You can easily contact them and have your query answered, and/ or be put in touch with a scholar who will assist you.  I spent time there a few years ago. They have amazing collections and archives. 

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/proni

They have an enquiry service:

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/proni-enquiry-service

Good luck with your research  

Comments

Thank you Margery, that is a great idea. I will contact them.

Answer 3

Here is an artwork showing Maurice Fitzgerald, 20th Knight of Kerry, from "Men of the Day" in Vanity Fair, 1909

https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw259933/Sir-Maurice-FitzGerald-2nd-Bt-and-20th-Knight-of-Kerry-Men-of-the-Day-No-1173-Knight-of-Kerry

Answer 4

A look at the clothing, boots, hat appears to be late 1800 and early 1900.

Comments

Thank you Alfred. It looks like most people are tending towards the late 1800s. I've sent a query to the Public Record Office in Ireland to see if they know anyone who might be able to identify this particular Knight of Kerry, just to be sure. If it isn't the 18th Knight of Kerry I'll remove the photo from the profile. Cheers.

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Does this look like the man's hat??

AN EARLY 19TH-CENTURY SAILOR`S FOUL WEATHER HAT constructed from tarred leather with stitched brim

https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/charles-miller-ltd/catalogue-id-srcharl10001/lot-4286f62e-f077-4ad0-82f3-a42700fe591e

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Ireland is a windy and rainy place and a similar hat was available for the local men there was also a British army hat that look like the navy.

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I still can't find proof of which Knight of Kerry it is, so I will remove it from the profile. Thanks for your help!