Relatives

[Robert]

Quite so, Debs. Caz has no need of such things.

Sign in plastic surgery clinic : Facelifters will be prosecuted.

[Debra A]

Caz will obviously have no idea what I'm talking about, Robert, as she has no need to resort to such measures.

Pssst, Robert....do you think I'll get away with it now?

[Robert]

Debs, I just know that Caz is going to pitch in here.

[Debra A]

An early 'Croydon facelift', Robert?

[Robert]

Blimey, Debs, her hair is well swept back. I don't see the point of them having long hair if they're going to hide it, but there you go. Very perplexing.

[Debra A]

The "dangling brooch" reminds me of one of those functional pieces of jewellery designed as multi-purpose - ie pieces detach as required for use as smaller brooches, ear ring pendants etc...they're usually quite good quality though aren't they?

Dave

I've don't think I've ever seen one of those either, to be honest.

But talking of 'good quality', I was just looking through the 'well dressed' Victorian ladies section of the site Miss M mentioned earlier in the thread (Vaughn collection)and saw a quite similar style of brooch, similar in that it's something dangling from a brooch fixed high at the throat).The photo was dated 1888.
I know that someone could wear a brooch passed down to them from any earlier era, so it doesn't help much, but just thought I'd post the pic to show there were similar items around in the 1880s too.

[richardnunweek]

Hi.
Looking at the Kelly photo, I can see nothing wrong with the period dress/hat. Debra's picture sums that up.
The more I view , the more I am swinging towards authenticity , but that is human nature, I guess it must be harder for Chris who would have that face to haunt his instincts, and with no definite answer.
Regards Richard.

[Cogidubnus]

The "dangling brooch" reminds me of one of those functional pieces of jewellery designed as multi-purpose - ie pieces detach as required for use as smaller brooches, ear ring pendants etc...they're usually quite good quality though aren't they?

Dave

[John Bennett]

I don't know if plumes are the problem, John. I've seen reference in the 80s to sailors bringing prized Ostrich feathers for East End prostitutes in particular, myself. I think it's the width of the brim of the hat that is thought to be too wide? Tall was in apparently.

Hi Debs

I know what you're saying. Your last post has made my point better than I did!

[Debra A]

I just came across these two items in a Victorian women's fashion magazine. "Peterson's Magazine for June 1883"
I claim no expertiese at all, so don't shoot me, but, to me, this hat with the curved wide brim and plumes, plus the softer style dress with wide, open, shawl collar looks very similar in style to the ones worn in the pic?

I do think that dangling brooch I mentioned in an earlier post is quite unusual though. I've never seen jewellery like that before. I wonder if it was quite a rare item?

[Beowulf]

I want the unvarnished truth as much as the most ardent here. I am not one to be comfortable believing in stories going the way I like them to go.

But what if this actually were more of a later period dress, say even early 1900s, which is what I think it is, and yet ACTUALLY a photo of Mary Kelly, if you get my drift.

[Debra A]

I don't know if plumes are the problem, John. I've seen reference in the 80s to sailors bringing prized Ostrich feathers for East End prostitutes in particular, myself. I think it's the width of the brim of the hat that is thought to be too wide? Tall was in apparently.

[John Bennett]

Regarding the size of, and plume on, the hat on the alleged MJK photo, this picture is a contemporary illustration of witness Elizabeth Tanner. It is 1888, obviously.

[Debra A]

I think you're probably right, Miss M, they seem to have just been a bit scissor happy and extended their fringes completely over the tops of the ears too! But there was one particular girl in the photo with no hat and she looked to have a very layered and tousled hairdo, but I think the back will be long, yeah...the first ever mullet?

[miss marple]

In the famous photo of the match girls they have fringes, which look very 1960s but I think the hair looks short because its tied up at the back and the hats hide it
I cant get my scanner to work which is really frustrating, as I could post the photo and others.

Miss Marple