A few images

[Anna Allen]

Some recent images I've spotted on ebay:

Image 1. Look at that neck bow!

Image 2. I love the pleasant expression on the father's face. In the listing they suggest that the baby may be post mortem, but my first thought was that the baby is just sleeping. In any case, great image.

[col90]

I've bought several things from this dealer (ABVintagePhotos)....he always has absolutely wonderful images!

Colleen

[Stef5735]

Anna's post points out a woman's neck bow. The woman appears to be wearing a cameo brooch. This interesting image, from the same vendor, shows a young woman with a neck bow worn underneath a lace scarf, which is secured with what appears to be a pin with a chain. Also, detail is visible at the bottom of her skirt.

Image.

[albrandon]

Anna,

I agree with your assessment of the child. This does not, to me, appear to be a lifeless body. The baby's cheeks, in particular, seem to be freshly fed ( ), and the father does not appear to be remorseful in dress or countenance. The picture is also lacking flowers, a casket, a bed, or any of the other things commonly found in post mortem images. Nothing about this image really seems to be indicative of a wake photograph.

If anyone has differing arguments, I would love to hear them.

Amber L. Brandon

[Anna Allen]

Stefanie, That's a lovely image you posted, but I believe that would most definitely be post war. Probably from the late '60s or early 1870s.

[ElizabethClark]

Stephanie, I'd agree with Anna's post-war determination--the girl's hairstyle and very "vertical" dress decorations holler very late 1860s ('68-'69) through possibly the mid-70s to me, too.