2002.143.2

Carte de visite, Blind woman wearing tinted eyeglasses

J. Batemann, photographer

Canterbury, England

ca. 1870

Sepia-toned photo is mounted on white card stock. Photo shows a blind woman wearing tinted eyeglasses. She is seated on a cushioned chair with wood trim. Fringe hangs from the right arm of the chair and a tassle from the right corner. The woman is dressed in a long-sleeved dress with a pleated skirt and decorative pleats along the bodice and cuffs. There is a lighter-color, lace-trimmed collar and a bow at the waist. A fringed scarf is tied at the neckline. She is wearing a light-color cap tied in a bow beneath her chin, and her hair is barely visible along her forehead. Her hands are resting on her lap. At the bottom left margin is printed "J. Batemann" and, at the bottom right, "Canterbury." On the center back in purple ink is printed "J. Batemann. 54 St. George's St., Canterbury.," in a decorative design with a single banner. Beneath this, in a banner, is printed "Copies Of This Portrait May Be Obtained At Any Time." Along the bottom edge, in very small print, is "Oborne, London & Paris." Cartes de visite were popular during the Civil War era.

Card stock, paper

4 1/4 x 2 1/2 in.