Carte-de-visite portraits of Dublin girls, late 1870s

19th century studio photographers often used quirky props to put their customers at their ease, however, it didn’t always work! In an attempt to occupy the patron’s hands in a natural way, Lauder used a dome top bird cage. Robinson’s choice of a tennis racket is quite telling in that the sport was increasingly fashionable during this period.

Both of the girls photographed by the Dublin studios are, at my guess in their early teens. The outfit on the girl in the Lauder photograph is a better fit and not quite so over the top as the other’s. Both have their hair swept over their ears and tied at the back, however, unlike older women, their hair remains loose and flowing.

It was often remarked that the fashions of the day resembled furniture and in the example from Robinson this is definitely true. The girl’s dress has as many frills and flounces as the open tub armchair upon which she leans! The Lauder carte is by far the more superior in terms of its quality and composition.

Both studios had a long history in Dublin. Robinson & Sons of 65 Grafton Street were established in 1853 and claimed to be photographers to the British Army. Lauder Brothers were based at 22 Westmoreland street, opposite Carlisle Bridge (O’Connell Bridge).

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Dublin tennis match, 1900s

This photograph shows a woman called Kathleen Shanks playing tennis. I reckon it dates from between 1900 and 1910 although I am not too sure of the location.  It might be at the Clontarf Lawn Tennis Club as the family lived in that area, however, there are several other clubs in suburban Dublin whose courts are in similar settings. I like the silhouetted houses and the fact that the two men in the background appear to float in mid air just like the tennis ball that Kathleen is about to hit!
White was considered a suitable colour for sporting activities as it does not show perspiration as readily as other colours and Kathleen’s outfit was typical of that worn during the early twentieth century. The Painted Woman blog has a great post on the history of tennis clothing for women with particular emphasis on the 1930s.

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