Who Were They?

This photo from our Leather CdV album is in the ninth opening and features a woman with a huge bow, covered with other adornments. I see lace, a brooch, a necklace, a choker and maybe a dried flower. The long chain could be attached to a pocket watch or a fan at her waist. I find it interesting that the edges of the large bow ribbon appear to be frayed. However, I wonder if they are finished in a small fringe that didn’t photograph well. her hair is also arranged quite stylishly. It is crimped, tucked and pinned in an elaborate fashion.

The photographer she selected to make her portrait was Richard Walzl of No. 46 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD. Walzl was apparently well known and prolific in the Baltimore area, having written a book (The Photographer’s Friend), photographed Abraham Lincoln’s summer cottage and other landmarks in and around Baltimore and Washington DC in stereoviews. He was born in 1843 and lived until 1899.