2002.158

Carte de visite, Portrait of a blind woman with a book in her hand

Elliott and Fry, photographers

London, England

ca. 1870

Sepia-toned photo is mounted on white card stock. Photo shows a woman who is blind standing behind an upholstered chair with wood trim. She is leaning on the back of the chair and is holding a small book in her right hand. Her hair is worn up and braided. She is wearing a dark dress with lace at the collar and lace-trimmed cuffs on the full-length sleeves. A large cross pendant hangs around her neck. "Elliott & Fry" is printed in the margin, beneath the photo, at bottom left. "55 Baker St., Portman Sq." is printed in the margin at bottom right. On the back of the carte, at center, is printed "Elliott & Fry, 55 Baker Street, Portman Square. W., London." At the bottom is the number "66279" handwritten in pencil. "Marion, Im. Paris." is printed at the bottom center. Carte has faded; some dark spots on photo; scratch on front of photo at right. Cartes de visite were popular during the Civil War era.

Card stock, paper

4 x 2 1/2 in.