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
