How would you interpret this date?

[Clariman]

This isn't a DAK in its purest sense - I am looking for opinions and/or expertise on date formats at the beginning of the 20th century.

I have found a bible with an inscription inside it. It has a name of someone who I have identified. However, it has an annotation below the name, which I have two possible interpretations for. The text reads;

April 10/1906

On initial reading, it seemed obvious that this was April 10th 1906. However, the '10/1906'. on its own, and in modern writing would imply October 1906, so my alternative interpretation is that it was a gift from someone called April in October 1906. October 1906 would coincide with the dedicatee's 10th birthday, which gives more credence to that. However, April isn't a very common first name.

Any thoughts?

Thanks
Clariman

[csearle]

Any thoughts?

Apparently April has only been commonly used as a first name since the 1940s. Not conclusive I realise - might tip the balance in favour of the obvious though? C.

[SalvorHardin]

It could be American. The standard American format for dates is Month, Day, Year with some variations for the punctuation. Usually they are separated with a / between each entry.

Using the word for the month is quite common. The date of the declaration of independence is commonly referenced as July 4, 1776 rather than 7/4/1776. July 4 / 1776 is much less common.

[bungeejumper]

Using the word for the month is quite common. The date of the declaration of independence is commonly referenced as July 4, 1776 rather than 7/4/1776.

And yet the holiday is always rendered verbally as the 4th of July. You can't rely on anything these days.

Actually, that's one of my pet grumps. The British standard usage of day, month, year (short period to long period) is so much more logical than America's month, day, year (medium, short, long). As even my American friends agree.

BJ

[swill453]

Using the word for the month is quite common. The date of the declaration of independence is commonly referenced as July 4, 1776 rather than 7/4/1776.

And yet the holiday is always rendered verbally as the 4th of July. You can't rely on anything these days.

Actually, that's one of my pet grumps. The British standard usage of day, month, year (short period to long period) is so much more logical than America's month, day, year (medium, short, long). As even my American friends agree.

Of course YYYYMMDD makes even more sense, with the most significant part first.

Scott.

[DrFfybes]

According to MrsF that would be April 10th 1906.

Especially given the person's name above, then that would most likely be a pure date, and was a common notation in the period.

Paul

[chas49]

Moderator Message:
Noting that the OP has said:

This isn't a DAK in its purest sense - I am looking for opinions and/or expertise on date formats at the beginning of the 20th century.

and given the OP's position on this site, I think (and I imagine other mods will agree) that it is appropriate to allow slightly wider discussion than might normally be permitted here.

Two points should be made here:

(i) this does not set a precedent for future topics on DAK, and

(ii) the discussion on this topic should still be aimed at answering the OP's question.

Wider discussion of the pros and cons of date formats is off-topic.

Thank you in advance for sticking to the rules

(chas49)

[servodude]

Any thoughts?

I would not be too surprised if someone put the date (April 10), and then the year as a post thought... even if that meant the ultimate format wasn't the local norm.
But maybe I've read too much Eco to read too much in to old stuff

[stevensfo]

I have quite few old books from grandparents, Great.....Great Uncles... etc. They all have at least two names, and often more, so I don't think that anyone would simply write 'April' as a name.

But fashions change within a generation.

I still have a stamp album from the 70s, called 'Gay Venture'.

Fortunately, I brought my kids up to understand.

Steve

[didds]

I still have a stamp album from the 70s, called 'Gay Venture'.

Fortunately, I brought my kids up to understand.

Steve

do they understand the older meaning of "awful" as well? As opposed to its more modern meaning?

[stevensfo]

I still have a stamp album from the 70s, called 'Gay Venture'.

Fortunately, I brought my kids up to understand.

Steve

do they understand the older meaning of "awful" as well? As opposed to its more modern meaning?

Yes, of course.

"I don't know if anyone filled it up. So it's either empty awful."

I guess that these days, we're more inclined to say 'awe-inspiring'.

What about the American use of 'awesome'? Drives me crazy!

Steve

PS How to use the word 'Fascinate'?
1st pupil: "I saw a comet. It was fascinating."
Teacher: "Good, but I asked for 'Fascinate'.
2nd pupil: "My baby brother was fascinated by the fireworks."
Teacher: "Good, but I want 'Fascinate'.
Little Johnny: "My big sister bought a new cardigan."
Teacher: "Oh shi...Er, go on."
Little Johnny: "It's got nine buttons!."
Teacher: "Er,....and?"
Little Johnny: "But her tits are so big, she can only fascinate!"

[chas49]

Moderator Message:
I think this topic has now gone fully off-topic. Please consider this CLOSED unless you have a direct answer to the OP. (chas49)

[Clariman]

Thanks to everyone for your answers and for Chas49's moderation. It has helped me form the opinion that it is simply a date.

I will look the topic now. I agree it has gone OT.

Clariman