Top of page

A Closer Look: Dating a Photo

Share this post:

What’s the date of this photo? Take your best guess, and then I’ll mention some clues I pursued.

"Library of Congress. Card Division. General view"
Library of Congress Card Division, general view. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3b08445

The photo shows the busy catalog card distribution office at the Library of Congress. There’s no date on the photographic print. Recently, we needed to determine when the photo was taken, so out came my magnifying glass.

The typewriters and the women’s clothing suggest the early 1900s. I looked in vain for calendars on the walls or desks that might have pinned down the date further. Then I wondered about the posters in the background.

Come to find out, we have both posters, and they’re dated!

"The spirit of America--Join"
The spirit of America--Join. Poster by Howard Chandler Christy, 1919. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3b49224

"Third Red Cross roll call"
Third Red Cross roll call. Poster by Haskell Coffin, 1918. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3b49751

The posters were issued in 1918 and 1919, so the photo was taken in 1919 or later. Although the office might have displayed the posters as decorations for a while, it seems more likely that the photo was taken shortly after the end of World War I. We added the date of “1919?” to the photo’s online description to help future researchers.

The dating question comes up often in historical picture collections. It’s not always easy to answer, because the people who made or collected the picture often didn’t leave much written information. Instead, looking closely at the image content frequently provides clues.

Looking into this dating mystery offered an intriguing excursion into Library of Congress history and reminded me of the wonderful connections to be found among the collections.

Learn more:

  • For more visual literacy tips and sites that help with dating photos, please visit the Prints & Photographs Division’s Researcher’s Toolbox.
  • For more World War I era posters, see the World War I Posters category in the Prints & Photographs Online Catalog.

Comments (12)

  1. The picture was either the early 20th century or the end of the 19th century. I couldn’t tell you the date or who took it. Miriam S. Ratner

  2. Great sleuthing plus extremely cool.

  3. I would say date the posters hanging on the walls where the books are. But also if you can get a good look at the model of the typewriters that may narrow the time frame down. The hairstyle of the lady on the left is another good reference 🙂

  4. I LOVE this. Thank you for sharing.

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    No-one ever lost anything by opening book. ☺

  5. Great Article for my help as the suggestions are in proper way thanks alot

  6. The hairstyle of the lady on the left is another good reference

  7. We can assume the photo was taken in the Jefferson building, but do you know which room specifically? Perhaps one of the rooms that is now an area reading room since it has the high, decorative ceiling.

  8. So cool. I see that you looked at the clues I’d have suggested: posters, typewriters, hair styles. Love this. Thank you.

  9. Great post. I was checking constantly this weblog and I am impressed! Very helpful info particularly the final section 🙂 I maintain such info a lot. I was looking for this certain information for a long time. Thank you and best of luck.

  10. You actually make it appear so easy with your presentation however I to find this matter to be actually one thing that I feel I’d by no means understand. It sort of feels too complex and very broad for me. I am taking a look ahead on your next publish, I’ll try to get the hang of it!

  11. The additional info here is pretty interesting worthwhile. I have uncovered numerous helpful hints.

  12. hy its very good to see this type of poster and having a good sence about the dating thanks to share us

Add a Comment

This blog is governed by the general rules of respectful civil discourse. You are fully responsible for everything that you post. The content of all comments is released into the public domain unless clearly stated otherwise. The Library of Congress does not control the content posted. Nevertheless, the Library of Congress may monitor any user-generated content as it chooses and reserves the right to remove content for any reason whatever, without consent. Gratuitous links to sites are viewed as spam and may result in removed comments. We further reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to remove a user's privilege to post content on the Library site. Read our Comment and Posting Policy.


Required fields are indicated with an * asterisk.