This photograph represents the third photographer in the little town of Cambridgeboro, PA. Apparently the town was doing quite well. The fancy masking of the photo is similar to the previous photo from the Red Velvet album. The masking must have been carefull applied to the negative plate but you can definitely see they were hand made via the uneven cut marks on the lower edge of this one. Die cut masks may not have been available.
The photographer was C. P. McDonnell, with a gallery located over the post office. Wilson’s Photographic Magazine in 1897 mentioned an advertising technique of Mr. McDonnell, which was to send a montage or collage of children’s photos to his clients. I suppose this was similar to today’s advertising slicks that come in the mail.
UPDATE: a reader suggested that the name is McDannell with an A and I agree. Sorry about that – I think I need better glasses! :-)
Who Were They? 
Hard to believe that rinky-dinky little town had three photographers. Of course given the lack of any information on-line concerning the other two photographers, perhaps they weren’t in town for long?
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the photographers name sure looks like McDannell on the card. is it really McDonnell?…just asking, have a similar name, and that letter after the D in no ways looks like an o in cursive especuially withthe vericale line on the right side of the letter. just asking.
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It could well be McDannell with an A. Good catch!
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He has a fat tie! Yes he could be her brother.I see what you say about the creative masking, it really shows up in this photo:)
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Ahh… Clinton P McDannell (Oct.ober, 1861 – 1937)… “that’s the guy.”
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