I have a lot of wonderful old children's photographs and for some reason rarely post child photos so when I saw the theme prompt for this week's Sepia Saturday I decided to share some of my favorites. Here are just a few:
This first photo (CDV) is a very young, unidentified Trenton, NJ girl taken between 1864 and 1866 as evidenced by the revenue stamp on the back. Such a little sweetheart and look at her darling dress. The photographer was Aller & Brown of Trenton. This little miss is posing on the photographer's fake balustrade railing.
This next photo (cabinet card) features five young Michigan siblings and their dog posed next to a faux fence and pile of hay. The photographer was Dave Bradbeer of Charlevoix, Michigan. This photograph was most likely taken in the late 1880's.
Next up is a cabinet card featuring an 1890's boy wearing Little Lord Fauntleroy attire holding the obligatory whip. This was a very popular costume for boys to wear for their photographs in the 1890's. This particular young boy was posed by photographer Strunk of Reading, PA seated on a large "rock."
This young girl from Trenton, NJ is quite a picture in plaid posed next to a "stone column" and behind an "iron gate." I've posted this cabinet card before, but I think she deserves another mention - just love her entire outfit. The photographer was J. E. North of 31 Centre St. This photo is also from the 1880's.
This young lad leaning on the "stone column" is quite dapper in matching jacket and knickers with hat and cane and take a look at those plaid leggings! What a good looking young man. No photographer is listed, but the boy is identified on the back as Howard Prue Price, I believe. My guess is this cabinet card is from the late 1870's.
And finally we have this sweet young girl leaning on the photographer's "stone fence". Such a sweetie in her simple dress and lace collar and notice the necklace with long chain around her neck. The photographer was H. S. Stephens of Rushville, Indiana. This photo was probably taken in the late 1880's.
If you have enjoyed these photos I hope you will hop, skip or jump over to Sepia Saturday to see even more wonderful photos.
Oh...I am reading Little Lord Fauntleroy on my Kindle at the moment! My grandmother (B. 1887) always talked about it, her favourite childhood book (I have her copy), but only later in my life did I read it....and read it....and read it! I do recommend it to anyone who needs to rest, refresh and soothe their tired brain !!
ReplyDeleteI have never actually read this book, now you have tweaked my curiosity!
DeleteI can see why these are some of your favorites!
ReplyDeleteAn enchanting collection you have there, Teresa. What a pity that nineteenth century photographers only ever managed to pose children as little adults, rather than the children they were. Well occasionally they stepped outside the confines of convention, but examples of those shots are rare.
ReplyDeleteYou are exactly right, I only have a few photos in my collection that feature children looking and acting like children.
DeleteI enjoyed all your photos. The girl in the first one looks kind of unhappy about having her picture taken. My favorite is the one with 5 kids and a dog.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorites too!
DeleteAll fine photos and a good display of backstamps too. I think the Trenton girl might be a boy dressed in that common 19th century habit of putting little boys in an open skirt. Something about the shape of the face, jug ears, hair and bow tie that doesn't fit with a little girl. Mr. Strunk from Reading was very prolific or at least more people have saved his photographs as they show up very regularly on eBay.
ReplyDeleteInteresting thought about the Trenton subject and you are right about Mr. Strunk, I have several of his photographs.
DeleteIt's the 5 children and the dogg for me too.
ReplyDeleteThe boy in plaid stockings looks as if he could have been on the stage. Rather Mickey Rooneyesque.
ReplyDeleteIndeed quite the series!!
ReplyDelete#1 and #5 are my faves!!
:)~
HUGZ
Lovely photographs, but they all have such serious faces. The price of having to stand still for so long.
ReplyDeleteA set of photos whcih is as interesting for the studio props and formal poses as for its subjects.
ReplyDelete