This is a striking antique cabinet card portrait depicting two young women dressed in dark formal attire, photographed by J. Proctor of Corning, Iowa. The image presents a beautifully composed studio portrait typical of the late nineteenth century, likely dating to the 1880s or early 1890s. The two women are posed within a traditional studio setting featuring a painted woodland backdrop and decorative studio props. One woman stands while the other is seated beside an ornamental pedestal. The seated woman rests one arm on the pedestal, while the standing figure holds what appears to be a small envelope and an elegant handbag, accessories commonly seen in Victorian portrait photography. Both women are dressed in dark, carefully tailored garments typical of the late Victorian period. Their outfits include fitted bodices, high collars, and long pleated skirts, with stylish hats and gloves completing their attire. The seated woman wears a broad-brimmed hat and a coat with decorative buttons, while the standing woman wears a smaller hat with fur or velvet trim and carries a fashionable small purse. The fact that both women are dressed entirely in black naturally raises the possibility that this may represent mourning attire, which was common during the Victorian era following the death of a family member. Mourning dress often involved black garments worn for extended periods, particularly among women. However, black clothing was also widely worn as formal or fashionable attire, especially for studio portraits where darker garments photographed well. The photograph was produced by J. Proctor, whose imprint appears along the bottom mount. Corning is a small community located in southwestern Iowa. This cabinet card portrait dates back to circa 1886 to 1890. This cabinet card remains in very good antique condition overall. The photograph itself retains good clarity, contrast, and detail, with both figures sharply rendered. The mount shows some light foxing along the lower margin. The corners show minor rounding and light edge wear consistent with age and handling. The reverse of the mount displays a plain pink backing and has beveled gold edges. (see scans)
This cabinet card is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $75.00 at auction.
Interested collectors may view the listing here:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/236687986364
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 
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