This is a truly charming and beautifully composed cabinet card portrait of a young girl, photographed by E. E. Seavy of New Castle, Pennsylvania. This engaging image captures the child standing confidently in a studio setting, holding a delicate parasol while dressed in a light, softly gathered dress with puffed sleeves. Her large, elaborately trimmed bonnet frames her face, and her softly curled hair—adorned with small bows—adds to the sweetness and period charm of the portrait. The pose is especially appealing. She appears caught in a moment of gentle movement, one hand lightly grasping the parasol while the other gestures as if mid-action, lending the image a sense of life and spontaneity that is often missing in more rigid studio portraits. Her expression carries a subtle smile—warm, curious, and full of personality—making this an especially endearing study of childhood. The mount is attractively styled with a decorative design. The photographer is Edgar E. Seavy (1859–1942), a well-regarded studio photographer who was active in New Castle, Pennsylvania beginning around 1890. Seavy initially operated in partnership with A. R. Fowler before establishing his own studio.This portrait is a fine example of his work—carefully lit, thoughtfully composed, and particularly strong in capturing the natural presence of a child. I currently have four additional cabinet card portraits of children by Seavy, and the consistency across these images makes it clear that he was an immensely talented photographer, especially when working with young subjects. This cabinet card is in overall very good condition. The photograph retains excellent clarity and soft, pleasing tonal range. The mount shows mild edge and corner wear, including more significant wear in the lower left corner. The card remains structurally sound and displays beautifully (see scans).
This Cabinet Card is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $88.00 at auction.
Interested collectors may view the listing here:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/236794140760
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 
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