This photo from the 1890s was poorly stored, which has resulted in the damage to the photo face. There is a discoloration due to friction on the right hand side and there are foxing marks on the left where the photo was glued to the card. And above all of that, the image is faded enough we can’t get a nice detailed look at this lady’s face. You can see the slight jowls of age on her jaw, the attractive dress, and tidy hair style, but we can’t really see her.
The back of the card is also damaged, but a-ha! there is some pencil writing there. It looks like it says “W. J. Mahaffey, Cambridge, 423 W 11 St Ohio”. I could be off on the city and state. Cambridge, OH is home to a Dickens Village, The National Museum of Cambridge Glass, and is only 50 miles from Wheeling, WV where this photo was made. The building at 3642 Jacob Street, Wheeling still stands, just three blocks from the Ohio River. A google earth image tells us the entire area was built around the same time, with two story shop buildings side by side. I could not find any information on the photographer, Schultze.
Who Were They? 
It’s somewhat hard to see, but I think she might be wearing glasses.
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I find her quite easy to see (yes, she’s wearing glasses) but maybe it’s because I’m used to working with old photos. :)
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