This evocative Victorian-era cabinet card presents a formal studio-style portrait of three young siblings, likely photographed circa 1890–1900, based on clothing styles, furniture, and interior décor. The children are arranged carefully around an ornate upholstered rocking chair, with the youngest seated at center and the two older children standing protectively on either side—a classic late-19th-century compositional choice emphasizing family structure. The setting is especially rich in period detail. Behind the children is a patterned wallpaper typical of the 1890s, along with a small table holding framed photographs and a decorative lamp. A draped textile with a prominent five-point star motif hangs on the wall above. The chair itself features carved wood, plush upholstery, and tasseled trim—furnishings commonly found in middle-class Victorian homes and photographic studios of the era. The youngest child wears a white infant’s dress with voluminous sleeves, typical of the period when both boys and girls were dressed alike in early childhood. The child on the left wears a dark dress with lace trim and puffed sleeves, consistent with girls’ fashions of the 1890s. The child on the right appears to be a young boy wearing a tailored jacket with decorative buttons and a prominent ruffled collar. The photograph is mounted on a dark cabinet card mount with the photographer’s imprint at the bottom. The photographer is C. A. Lighty and he operated a studio in Brookston, Indiana. The reverse of the photo is blank aside from faint period pencil notation identifying the children. The subjects of this photograph are Mary, Willie, and John Francis. Altogether, this is a highly appealing Victorian children’s portrait, combining strong composition, expressive faces, and a beautifully documented domestic interior. This cabinet card measures about 4.25 x 6.50 inches and is in very good condition. The photo has very good clarity and contrast. There are no stains, tears or losses to the image. There is light corner wear typical for it’s age. The reverse is clean with legible faint pencil writing visible under strong light (pencil writing is only name identification). See Scans
This cabinet card is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $36.00 at auction.
Interested collectors may view the listing here:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/236624775801
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 
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