Who Were They?

I find this photo to be quite unusual, in that the couple has some clothing that is different from what we consider the “norm” in antique photos. The lady looks world weary, doesn’t she? The poor thing looks beat down, really, maybe from child rearing or illness, who knows. Her dress hangs like a bag on her, making it look like she has a big gut and no bosom. The wide lace collar doesn’t do much to dress up the ugly bodice of her dress.The gentleman has an interesting hat, one which I tend to associate with the Orthodox Greek tradition for some reason. His coat looks worn and boy does he look tired. His tie is in a modern Windsor knot style.

The photo itself is in fair condition and the bristol board is worn, broken and damaged in several areas. It was not well loved and preserved for some reason.

The photographer is Horn’s Studio at 1684 Madison Ave, New York. The location is just two blocks from Central Park North and Fifth Ave, in Manhattan. The location is north of the advertising district made famous in recent years by the television show Mad Men. I couldn’t find anything on the photographer with a brief search on Google; I just don’t have the time this morning.

What do you think about this photo and the couple pictured?

UPDATE: Thanks to insightful reader input, this photo is probably of a Jewish couple. “East Harlem was where the second largest number of Jews from Eastern Europe lived at the time next to the Lower East Side which had the largest population. She, of course, is not wearing a corset–not surprising for an immigrant woman. And his hat differs a little bit from the Greek Orthodox ones. It’s called a High Kippah and is worn most often by older men.”