This charming late nineteenth-century cabinet card presents a studio portrait of two children, likely siblings, posed together against a softly painted pastoral backdrop. The older child, seated, wears a high-necked dark dress with a plaid or checked bodice and puffed sleeves, her hair neatly parted and braided, while the younger child stands close beside her, dressed in a light shirt accented by an oversized neck bow, knee-length trousers, and sturdy lace-up boots. The children’s proximity and the older child’s hand resting gently on the younger’s shoulder convey a sense of closeness and quiet responsibility that is typical of Victorian family portraiture. The photograph was taken by W. E. Sherwood, whose name appears embossed at the bottom of the mount, along with his studio location in New Berlin, New York. New Berlin is a small village in Chenango County, and photographers operating there in the late nineteenth century typically served a local and regional clientele, producing portraits for family remembrance rather than mass distribution. While detailed biographical records for W. E. Sherwood are limited, period evidence and surviving cabinet cards indicate that he was active as a professional photographer in central New York during the 1880s–1890s, a time when cabinet cards were at their height of popularity. Sherwood’s work reflects the conventions of the era: careful posing, controlled studio lighting, and painted scenic backdrops intended to lend refinement and warmth to domestic portraits. Based on clothing styles, hair arrangements, and the overall presentation, this cabinet card was most likely produced circa 1888–1895. The large decorative bow worn by the younger child and the structured, high-collared dress of the older child are especially characteristic of this period. The photographer of this cabinet card, William E. Sherwood (1856-1903) is listed in the 1880 US census as a Daguerrean Artist and a business directory reveals that he was still working as a photographer in 1902. This card measures approximately 4 1/8 by 6 1/4 inches, which places it within the standard cabinet card format. This cabinet card is in very good condition for it’s age. The photographic image remains clear and softly detailed, with good tonal range and no major fading. There is light, even age toning to the photograph and mount, along with minor corner wear consistent with handling over more than a century. The mount remains structurally sound, and the photographer’s imprint is legible. Overall, the card presents attractively and displays well (see scans).
This cabinet card is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $28.00 or best offer.
Interested collectors may view the listing here:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/336385507461
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 
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