This cabinet card portrait features the most adorable baby ever photographed in Muscatine, Iowa. Thanks to an inscription of the reverse of the photograph, we know the name of this photogenic child. The notation states “Please give this to Cora Freddie(?) Guthrie. Taken when 3 1/2 months old. She is now over a year”. The notation is signed “Evelyn”. The photograph was taken by the Clifford & Son studio in Muscatine, Iowa. The studio was operated by Charles Clifford and his son Frederick. Charles Clifford had a studio in Newton, Iowa in the 1880’s and 1890’s. The Photographic Journal of America (1893) announces that Charles and his son opened a studio in Muscatine. The Photographic Times (1895) makes mention that the father and son had mauufactured a “flash light machine”. The Photo Beacon (1897) notes that the Clifford & Son had won some awards at a photography exhibition. (SOLD)
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 
I think the note is missing punctuation and should read “please give this to Cora. Freddie Guthrie. Taken when 3 1/2 months old. He is now over a year. Evelyn “