I admit right off that I am recycling this photo. I previously posted this cabinet card back in 2010 as part of the exploration of the Streeter Family Album, aka the C. Murray Album. The subject is Kate Parish Streeter, wife of Arthur G. Streeter. The couple was married in Junction City, Kansas on May 1, 1889. Click here to see their wedding photo. In March 1891, a little daughter arrived, and she was photographed with her mother in 1892.
A site visitor commented on my photo of Arthur Streeter as a photographer that Kate’s sister Effie had married Dr. James Thayer and they relocated to Gilroy, CA. She suggested that Kate and Arthur joined the Thayers in Gilroy. Kate Streeter passed away in 1896 and was buried in Kansas. I encourage you to click the various links as they help to shape the story of Kate and Arthur Streeter. This dress is a particularly lovely example of Victorian dress circa the early 1890s.
This is a proud Sepia Saturday submission where the prompt is of a troupe of string musicians. Click through and listen to the muse.
Who Were They? 
That’s an interesting photo. I wonder whether the instrument was her own or a studio prop. That dress looks different from any other I have seen.
LikeLike
She looks to be actually playing the guitar. That’s a C chord in her fingering. Beautiful fabric in her dress.
LikeLike
I can just about recognise a guitar but I’m impressed at Mary’s identifying the chord.
LikeLike
A lovely photo – as are the others, which you encouraged us to view. But so upsetting to know what happened subsequently. Do we know whether this is earlier or later than the others?
LikeLike
I enjoyed reading this. And thanks for encouraging me to follow the links.
Re the chord, I was thinking an ‘open’ B Minor or F Sharp.
LikeLike
That’s a neat photo- I agree with the others- most definitely not just a prop.
LikeLike
I also think she’s a genuine musician since she’s wearing glasses in order to read the music!
Nancy Javier
LikeLike
Now that is a photograph that is worth recycling often. With their scarce resources in terms of equipment and materials, those early photographers knew how to pack so much interest into a photograph
LikeLike
Beautiful. A fantastic tale using the theme. The spectacles and profile shot are interesting as well. Perhaps because her husband was behind the camera he chose a pose he loved, and I can imagine it might have been his favorite.
LikeLike
Fabulous photo – sad that it has lost its family. Thanks for pointing out the likely decade! I’m in learning mode. :)
LikeLike
An interesting cabinet card portrait indeed. I don’t recall seeing many dresses from the early 1890s patterned in that fashion, but from the shape of the sleeves and the style of card mount I agree with your date estimate.
LikeLike