Who Were They?

Lost and forgotten photos from the past

This photo made by Charles A Saylor casts the subject as looking contemplative. What do you think she was considering? I love her jewelry – earrings, a necklace of multiple chains and a bar pin. She has some kind of frill, like a large bow, on her dress under the necklace & bar pin. She …

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This type of pose is called a 3/4 bust or portrait, because it shows about 3/4 of the person’s face. I like this particular image because the young woman looks pensive without being too gloomy. Perhaps this was a graduation or pre-wedding portrait. The photo was made by D. C. Burnite in Harrisburg, PA. According …

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This CDV features a gentleman who looks a little shifty to me. Just look, his eyes are glancing away to the side as though he doesn’t want to meet the viewer’s eye, his thin mustache reminds me a bit of Snidely Whiplash, his hair is oiled and slicked, very polished to make an impression. While …

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Today’s photograph features a young person with a thoughtful expression. I’m honestly unsure if this is a young man or young woman. I’m leaning toward a female because the giant bow seems like an exaggerated version of the young boy’s fashion for Little Lord Fauntleroy. Also, the hair is rather poufy, which could be a …

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This 1870s-80s image features an attractive woman in heavily embellished dress. Note all the tiny pleats that surround the front of the bodice, as well as the netted trim on her neck tie. It has been carefully laid flat to show off the handiwork. Netting is among the lace techniques that I have never learned …

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