The photo prompt for this week's Sepia Saturday which comes from the Samuel Bell Maxey Collection at the Texas State Archives, pictures two young girls with very soulful eyes. Those two may have not been sisters, but one can surmise from the photo that they were the best of friends. This led me to think about the friends women have in their childhood whether it is a true sister, a schoolmate, neighbor, cousin, etc. I have a couple of photos I want to share that I think exemplify "a sisterhood of friends."
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| Unknown Young Women 1888- 1890 |
The first cabinet card features a group of six young women, probably early teens, all sitting close together posed with books (could have used this photo last week). It's possible that some of them could be related, but to me it is more likely they are friends, classmates, or a church or social group. The photograph is so clear you can see the beautiful detail of their dresses. The photographer was F. M. Spencer of Troy, PA who sold his studio in Mansfield, PA in 1886 and moved to Troy in 1887 buying the studio of O. E. Dewey. I believe this photo to be dated between 1888 - 1890.
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| Unknown Young Women ca 1890 |
This second photo shows four young girls, probably anywhere from ten to eighteen years old. This cabinet card is most likely dated around 1890. I think it is possible that this group is related, sisters perhaps. The one on the right front is the oldest, but looks too young to be the mother. The photograph is not as crisp as the first and the details are not as easy to see. I had no luck finding any information on the photographers, Wilcox & Wilcox, Managers of C. & N.W. Photo Co. There is no city listed and there is nothing on the back of the card to help identify either the subjects or the photographers. I wonder if they were not another of those traveling railroad photographers?
Please visit Sepia Saturday to see more fabulous photos!
Sources:
http://www.joycetice.com/photog/spencert.htm
The detail truly is stunning on the first card. Is the second card worn or is the lack of clarity due to the photographer? Perhaps that is why you can't find out more about Wilcox & Wilcox. :)
ReplyDeleteThe second card is not worn or faded just poor clarity on the photographer's part.
DeleteWhat a bevy of beauties. Love their clothes!
ReplyDeleteI hope the girl on the floor in Photo 1 is sitting on a stool; otherwise, that pose looks rather awkward and uncomfortable. These are 2 charming photos that say "sisterhood" loud and clear.
ReplyDeleteI am with Liz on the quality of the first card. To capture so much detail requires a super lens. And we are talking 19th century here!!
ReplyDeleteThe lady seated on her knees looks very confident. In every way a magnificent picture.
The clarity of that first photo enables you to clearly see that most of them were looking to their right; only one looks straight ahead.
ReplyDeleteFun to see so much detail on the clothing in the first picture.
ReplyDeleteThe first photo is excellent and I love the back too.
ReplyDeleteThat first postcard is absolutely gorgeous! Lovely detail! The second is quite interesting, especially the way the two women standing are posing. They look like they are peering out from behind two curtains.
ReplyDeleteAnd I didn't know there were traveling railroad photographers. That's a new one for me. My "Traveling Dentist" great-grandfather, who had a Dental Boat, also had a Photo Boat. I posted a photo of this on my blog. Here's the link in case you want to see it ~ http://janasgenealogyandfamilyhistory.blogspot.com/2012/04/traveling-dentist.html
Yes, Jana there were traveling railroad photographers, I previously posted a photo and short story about them, click here if you want to read: http://forgottenfacesandlongagoplaces.blogspot.com/2012/07/those-places-thursday-traveling.html
DeleteI also read your story about your great-grandfather the traveling dentist and left you a comment. Very interesting indeed!
I find all the different folks that traveled around with their goods or services to be so interesting. It was in a sepia post that I learned dentists even traveled to care for people's teeth. Your photo is of remarkable women and what lovely dresses! Quite posh!
ReplyDeleteBoth lovely photos in their own way and I've never sen the pose where they are half-peeping through the drapes before.
ReplyDeleteMr. Spencer had an eye for composition as well as a good lens. I like the variation on the usual photographer's slogans on the back. "Procured" and "successful specialty" sounds so fancy.
ReplyDeleteMisters Wilcox (or is it Mr. and Mrs.?) not so good at posing their subjects, but their logo font is very modern. I like these early "best friends forever" photos. Both men and women had a much a more relaxed and genuine familiar pose that is absent in later photos and even in today's studio photos.
I liked your comment about "best friends forever" - wish I'd thought to use the "BFF" in my post! LOL!
DeleteI adore the top one! They all look so at ease and comfortable. Mind you, if it took any length of time at all to take the photo, their backs must have been strained - especially the one in the semi-supine position at the front left.
ReplyDeleteI love the detail in the first card - you can even see their jewellery. I wonder if they were school friends. I like the way the two girls are peeking out from behind the curtains in the second photo. Jo
ReplyDeleteInteresting Cabinet Card..I really like yours of all the girls! I wonder if the people in my photos knew the people in your photos..as they were taken about the same time:)
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