A phrase from historical newspaper personal ads, explained with real examples from the archive.
An offer, or a condition, that both sides would send each other a picture.
| Type | Historical language |
|---|---|
| Category | Formula |
| Earliest example in the archive | December 12, 1872, New National Era |
| Most common | 1860s to the 1920s |
As photographs became easier and cheaper to have made in the second half of the nineteenth century, a portrait could become part of a courtship by mail. Photographs exchanged promised fairness: each side would see the other.
PERSONAL. A lady wishes correspondence with a gentleman of cents and refinement. Object, matrimony. Photographs exchanged. Address, PYCHON L. LEE, San Jose, Cal. dec…
Maggie, aged 25, loving disposition, attractive, domesticated, well educated, true, and honourable, would like to meet a professional gentleman of moderate means. Maggie…
BACHELOR in fair circumstances wishes to correspond with young lady with a view to matrimony; photo exchanged; state age and other particulars—“Lonely,” G.P.O.
An industrious Scotchman, aged 30 years, wants to correspond with a frugal and industrious lady of 25 or 30 years, with a view to matrimony. Must exchange photographs.…
YOUNG man (35), dark, quiet disposition, would like to meet young lady, view friendship and above. Snap if possible. “Sincere,” this office.
GOOD looking, tall, young man, fond pictures, desires friendship of nice, pretty girl, with a view to mat., send snap if possible; Z129, “Telegraph.”
The same question every text-first personals app faces: when, and whether, to share a photo.
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How this fits into 170 years of personal ad shorthand: From Object Matrimony to LTR: How Personal Ads Learned to Talk in Code.
All dictionary entries · The Personals Archive · How to write a personal ad
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