This cabinet card features a full-length studio portrait of a young girl posed beside a chair. The photographer’s mark at the bottom reads “Ensminger, Morristown, New Jersey”. The girl appears to be around 5 to 7 years old. She is dressed in a dark, heavy dress or coat with prominent white lace trim at the collar and cuffs, characteristic of children’s fashion around the 1895–1905 period. Her long hair, possibly a wig or enhanced with hairpieces for the photo session, is styled to one side and adorned with two large ribbon bows, adding a touch of charm and formality. She wears a wide-brimmed hat tilted forward, which also features oversized decorative bows—this style was quite popular in Edwardian children’s portraiture. Her high-button black boots are visible under the hem of her dress, and she rests one hand on a wooden chair, adding a subtle compositional balance to the portrait. Her expression is solemn, yet alert—typical of long-exposure portrait photography of the era. The neutral studio backdrop and ornate rug on the floor enhance the formality and timelessness of the portrait. The reverse of the card is marked simply in ink with the handwritten notation: “Mrs. M. S.” This may be a clue to the identity of the child’s mother or the recipient of the photograph—perhaps a keepsake. Henry Ensminger was a notable photographer based in Morristown, New Jersey, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He operated a photography studio in Morristown from approximately 1894 to 1922, producing a variety of portrait photographs. (SOLD)
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 