Had this photo been taken of me, I would not like it because the ribbon on this lady’s hair is askew. It is somehow flopped forward onto her head. Whether that was an accident or the ribbon just didn’t cooperate we can never know. Regardless, she is serene and maybe a bit pensive. The image was made by Van Wagner & Dyer of Baltimore, MD. The studio was known to be in operation in the 1870s, and so that is how I will date the photo, although it could possibly be late 1860s. The corners of the card appear to have been cut rather than made rounded. Also the imaged masked in the center of the card is one of the signatures of CdV portraiture in the 1860s. In the 70s more options became available to photographers, and we begin to see the oval mounts, colored cards, full size images, etc.
Who Were They? 
Considering only about 140 years have elapsed, it astounds me how far photography has come. Even so, some day in the future, photography will be no more.
LikeLike
Her hair is interesting. It is a style I associate with either a young teenager or perhaps evening wear. But, her dress is not evening wear. I wonder if she is a spinster.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Lindsey Bennett Weblog.
LikeLike