Figure 1.-This American cabinent card shows two unidentified siblings. They sure look alike, and even have ears that stick out in the same way. It is a nice, up close portrait that allows great view of details The boy gas a floppy silk bow and wears a collar buttoning jacket with some Norfolk styling. The girl has a lace collar and a decorative dress with velvet sleeves and rounded lace collar. Seen alone we might have thought the older child was a boy, although at that age the children in dresses were mostly girls. We know the child is a girl of course because her little brother has alreasy been breeched. It is a good example as to how short hair can mislead people trying to identified the subjects. The portrait is undated but the perforated edges (pinking) and smooth corners suggest the late-1880s or early-90s.

This American cabinent card shows two unidentified siblings. They sure look alike, and even have ears that stick out in the same way. It is a nice, up close portrait that allows great view of details The boy gas a floppy silk bow and cwears a collsr buttoning jacket with sime Nofolk styling. The girl has a lace collar and a decorative dress with velvet sleeves and rounded lace collar. Seen alone we might have thought the older child was a boy, although at that age the children in dresses were mostly girls. We know the child is a girl of course because her little brother has alreasy been breeched. It is a good example as to how short hair can mislead people trying to identified the subjects. The porrait is undated but the perforated edges (pinking) and snooth corners suggest the late-1880s or early-90s. Unsually for a cabinet card, the studio was not identified. A reader has provided some thoughts about hair styling.

The Children

This American cabinent card shows two unidentified siblings. They sure look alike, and even have ears that stick out in the same way. We know the child is a girl of course because her little brother has alreasy been breeched. It is a good example as to how short hair can mislead people trying to identified the subjects.

The Portrait

The cabinent card is a nice, up close portrait that allows great view of the clothing details. The porreait is undated but the perforated edges (pinking) and snooth corners suggest the late-1880s or early-90s. Unsually for a cabinet card, the studio was not identified. A reader has provided some thoughts about hair styling.

Clothing

The boy gas a floppy silk bow and cwears a collsr buttoning jacket with sime Nofolk styling. The girl has a lace collar and a decorative dress with velvet sleeves and rounded lace collar. Seen alone we might have thought the older child was a boy, although at that age the children in dresses were mostly girls.

Hair Styles

A reader has provided some thoughts about hair styling. "This is a good example for discussing girl's hair styles. If you look closely at the girl, she has bangs which are cut short and the sides appear (though I cannot tell for sure) to have been pulled back in a pony tail or some other way. Because of her head position, we cannot tell whether she is wearing her hair in that fashion or has it cut short. Also, it may be tied but with a small bow or no bow so we cannot see that either."

Created: 4:51 AM 11/3/2009
Last updated: 5:38 PM 11/3/2009