Thursday, September 6, 2012

Sepia Saturday #142 - Trio of Lovely Ladies from 1890's

This week's Sepia Saturday theme can be interpreted in a "number" of ways, but I am going with the idea of a trio of people.  I actually will be on vacation starting Friday so am posting my entry early for a change!

This odd sized photograph is from the 1890's and most likely of a mother and her two daughters.  Odd sized photographs came into fashion in the 1890's and while I can't find a name for this type of photo which measures approximately 2 7/8 x 7 7/8, it probably is one of the many specialty cards of the those times.  The photographer signed his name in pencil; the first name is unreadable but the last name is Townsend.  You may notice the card has an embossed emblem at the bottom which appears to have a "T" for the photographer's initial.  Unfortunately, there is no identification of our subjects.

The mother is wearing a white shirtwaist blouse, small dark bowtie, glasses and Gibson Girl hairstyle.  Her two girls are wearing dark clothes.

To see more interpretations of this week's Sepia Saturday theme please click the link.


16 comments:

  1. The size is indeed interesting. I wonder what the boy is thinking.

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  2. I do like this sort of photography; everything is very distinguished.

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  3. Odd dimensions indeed but they are in line with the composition of the picture. So on the whole it is a very balanced CDV.
    PS Enjoy your holiday!

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  4. The mother looks like she could be a teacher, for some reason. The boy certainly is looking at something! Great picture.

    Kathy M.

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  5. I can't make up my mind whether this is a formal or informal setting.

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  6. I like this unusual photo for the pose and size. I've never seen one like it before. Love the mother's Gibson girl hairstyle.

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  7. That mother looks very stern. But the children don't look abused. The top one looks like a boy. Are you sure it's a girl?
    Nancy

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  8. New follower. A very interesting photograph indeed, Teresa. Presentation got very creative during this period, for sure. Thanks for this!

    The Overnight Bestseller
    http://michaeljmccannsblog.blogspot.ca/

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  9. Lovely indeed, it is quite a moment for them too, I'm sure!

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  10. I rather like the arrangement of the group, although they don't looks so sure themselves.Have a good vacation.

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  11. I've seen this kind of odd sized photograph in a local antique store.

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  12. Good selection for this theme. Interesting size. I love the Gibson Girl look. You are fortunate to have this.
    QMM

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  13. An unusual pose and interesting trio that makes a good mystery photo to solve. But I don't see a mother with children. I think it is a schoolteacher with her prize pupils. The eyeglasses, shirt, and hair make the woman too serious for a motherly family photo. And the boy and girl have complexions more like Native American or Hispanic. And even allowing for a quirky photographer, I'd expect any mother to be behind and never in front of her children. There were a number of Indian boarding schools scattered around, one in Carlisle PA.

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  14. I agree, the top one is a boy. I like the composition.

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  15. I'm imagining under the watchful eye of their mother these girls got away with very little.

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  16. It is a lovely old photograph - and quite an unusual arrangement.

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