Julius A. Kay is the photographer who took this portrait of a domestic worker in Southport, England. She is attractive and wearing a fine housekeepers uniform. It seems apparent that she worked for a wealthy family. Mr Kay’s name is cited in a number of professional photography journals of his time. In addition, his work is mentioned in a medical book, Practical Radiograph: A Handbook of the Application of the X-Rays” (1896). Mr. Kay helped radiograph a hand with a supernumerary thumb (extra bone structure) which surgeons of a local infirmary were able to use to see the exact bone formation of the area. They were able to employ the radiograph image to make a decision about the necessity of amputation. ADDENDUM: A viewer of this image has expressed a strong opinion that the woman in this photograph is a nurse, and not a housekeeper. SOLD
THE DOWNSTAIRS HELP: PORTRAIT OF A MAID IN SOUTHPORT, ENGLAND

The URI to TrackBack this entry is: https://cabinetcardgallery.com/2015/11/20/the-downstairs-help-portrait-of-a-maid-in-southport-england/trackback/
Leave a Reply