40 Early Portrait Photos of Victorian Couples in the Mid-19th Century

Beginning a love relationship in the 19th century was much more challenging than it is today. In Victorian times, much more etiquette was called for. Advice manuals were prevalent during the Victorian years, and women turned to these books for the advice that they provided, whether good or bad.

Victorian dates were almost always supervised in some way. Women were not allowed to be alone with a man until they were engaged. A woman was never to go anywhere alone with a gentleman without her mother’s permission. A woman was never to go out with a gentleman late at night.

In fact, it was considered extremely impolite for a gentleman to stay late at a woman’s home. A gentleman could only call on a lady with her permission. When saying good night, the girl was never to go farther than the parlor door, instead, a servant would see her suitor out.

Here is a set of early photos that shows portraits of Victorian couples from between the 1840s and 1860s.