Boy or Girl?

[Private Watkins]

What think ye...?

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

Girl.

I vote that it's an image of a patriotic young lady wearing a uniform to show support for the troops.

 

[Northern Light]

Hard to say, PW. It might be a handsome young man or woman.

I had a situation the other day in which I was not sure about a sales clerk who had particularly nice hair highlights. I was just about to say how pretty the hair was when I realized that I wasn't sure if I was talking to a male or a female. A quick glance at the name tag was singularly unhelpful; Hunter! I was confused so said nothing, but realized as I walked away that I might have just said, "I like your hair". Sometimes it is really hard to tell, not that it makes any difference to me. I just didn't want to insult the clerk if it was a guy.

 

[dlofting]

I think it's a girl, given the placement of the hands and the narrow shoulders.

 

[Private Watkins]

If a "she", does her hair fit within established styles of the period?

 

[Sbc]

Girl!?! I dunno

 

[James B White]

If a "she", does her hair fit within established styles of the period?

That's what made me think she. It's like she's not even trying, just took her bonnet off and plopped the hat on. I agree with 7th Mississippi Infantry that she's showing support for the troops, or maybe just having fun dressing up in her brother's uniform.

 

[AndyHall]

Woman, not trying to fool anyone.

 

[Northern Light]

I don't know if the shoulders are a good indication. Some women have broad shoulders( like me) and some men have narrow shoulders.

If a "she", does her hair fit within established styles of the period?

No but she (if it is a she) might have cut it because of illness or to sell, or because she (if it is a she) was trying to pass as a boy, especially as she (if it is a she) in some sort of uniform. Does anyone know if it is a particular uniform?
Many young man of 15-18 retain very fine features, especially if they are not required to be outdoors or doing manual labour.

 

[Northern Light]

I don't know if the shoulders are a good indication. Some women have broad shoulders( like me) and some men have narrow shoulders.

No but she (if it is a she) might have cut it because of illness or to sell, or because she (if it is a she) was trying to pass as a boy, especially as she (if it is a she) in some sort of uniform. Does anyone know if it is a particular uniform?
many young man of 15-18 retain very fine features, especially if they are not required to be outdoors or doing manual labour.

The frame is certainly martial. Is it original or new, do you think?

 

[Private Watkins]

The frame is certainly martial. Is it original or new, do you think?

I think it's an original... a ninth plate tintype in full case.

 

[James B White]

No but she (if it is a she) might have cut it because of illness or to sell, or because she (if it is a she) was trying to pass as a boy, especially as she (if it is a she) in some sort of uniform.

How are you picturing her hair? I see it as long, no ends visible, pulled loosely back toward the lower back of her head.

 

[Allie]

How are you picturing her hair? I see it as long, no ends visible, pulled loosely back toward the lower back of her head.

I'm pretty sure it's short and curled, and you're looking at the ends.

It could be a young boy, but I think it's a woman based on the size of the hands. Teen boys tend to have "puppy feet" and large hands that they will later grow into.

 

[James B White]

I'm pretty sure it's short and curled, and you're looking at the ends.
.

Really? I'm picturing it as something like this (best I could find quickly): https://gothampatternsphotos.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/cdvkateperryf.jpg?w=636&h=1032

 

[Private Watkins]

My initial reaction to "her" hair was a comparison to this fellow's coiffure; here his face, although boyish, together with everything else seems to leave little question as to gender. In the above image, however, "her" face is quite feminine and, I might add, very mesmerizing...

 

[chubachus]

Woman. You should add a poll!

 

[Patrick H]

Woman. I can see why you asked, though. It's a real interesting photo.

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

The only thing that makes me pause is how square this person's face is? From ears around to ear, and lips, a little strong and heavy. I'm not disagreeing, honest- just seems a girl this slender would have more delicate jaw line. So it's tough to decide.

 

[pamc153PA]

Girl. I think she was being deliberately military, not trying to pretend she was a boy.

 

[Private Watkins]

You should add a poll!

Good idea... done!