This photograph is a lovely antique cabinet card studio portrait of a young girl, photographed by Kinch Bros., Walton, New York — one of Delaware County’s most established and long-operating photographic studios. The little girl stands beside an ornate wicker settee, resting one arm across its curved and intricately woven back. The wicker furniture, with its scrollwork and turned spindles, is a beautiful example of late-19th-century studio props. She wears a light dress with ruffled trim and dark decorative accents at the neckline and sleeves, paired with dark stockings and lace-up boots. Her hair is styled with short bangs and gathered at the crown, and she looks directly at the camera with a composed, slightly solemn expression so characteristic of formal turn-of-the-century portraiture. The image has strong clarity and pleasing tonal contrast. The mount is embossed at the lower margin with the studio’s name and location. The Kinch Brothers studio was an important part of Walton’s commercial and social history. Harvey J. Kinch operated under his own name circa 1894–1899, having apparently purchased the studio of Frank L. Sprague. Around 1899, his brother, Edgar Kinch, joined him, and the firm became Kinch Brothers. The brothers operated studios in Walton and Hancock, documenting Delaware County families for more than three decades. The Walton studio burned in July 1935, after which Harvey retired. Edgar continued briefly under the name “Kinch Studio” until his death in 1939. Harvey and Edgar were sons of Nathan Kinch, a prominent Walton businessman and Civil War enlistee (101st N.Y. Volunteers). Given the mount style and studio imprint, this cabinet card likely dates from circa 1899–1910, during the early Kinch Brothers partnership. The reverse bears a handwritten name which, in my reading, appears to be “Jennie Kerchner” (interpretation based on legibility; handwriting can vary). This cabinet card is in very good overall condition for it’s age. The mount remains firm and attractive (see scans). This is a wonderful example of small-town New York photography with strong Delaware County provenance and an appealing period child portrait.
This vintage postcard is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $24.00 at auction.
Interested collectors may view the listing here:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/336458812918
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 
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