This lovely antique cabinet card photograph features a full-length studio portrait of a young girl, photographed by Strunk of Reading, Pennsylvania, whose studio imprint appears prominently at the bottom of the mount. The girl stands beside an ornate wicker chair, resting one hand on the elaborately curved armrest. A small wooden chair is positioned on the opposite side, and a fur rug is visible beneath her feet, all typical studio props used in late 19th and early 20th century portrait photography. The painted studio backdrop creates a soft, neutral setting that keeps the focus on the subject. She wears a light-colored dress with decorative trim and a wide, ruffled collar, along with dark stockings and lace-up boots. A large bow adorns her hair, which is styled in a short bob with gentle waves. Her expression is serious and composed, as was common in children’s studio portraits of the period, and she stands very still in a formal pose, suggesting the photograph dates to a time when longer exposure times required subjects to remain motionless. John D. Strunk was a well-known Reading, Pennsylvania photographer and a pioneer in photography in the region, operating a studio in Reading for many decades. His cabinet cards are widely collected today, particularly those depicting children and families from the Reading area. I have a collection of Strunk photographs; he was a prolific photographer. Much of his work reflects high craftsmanship. This cabinet card is in very good condition for its age. The photograph retains strong detail throughout, with good contrast and clarity. The image has a tiny crease in it’s top right corner but is generally clean. Overall, it presents extremely well and remains a well-preserved portrait of an adorable little girl. (see scans). Based on the mount style, studio props, and the child’s clothing and hairstyle, this cabinet card likely dates to the late 1890s to early 1900s.
This Cabinet Card 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/336504202383
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 
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