Three young children pose together for a cabinet card portrait by the Columbia View & Button Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This photograph precipitates a number of questions. Was this photograph taken outdoors, or is this an in-studio portrait? Finally, why is the photographic studio called a “View & Button Company”? Lets attempt to answer the previous questions. First, it is not clear if this is an indoor, or outdoor photograph. The next question concerns the reason the name of the studio includes the terms “View & Button” . The likely answer is that the studio originally produced stereoviews and photograph buttons. The buttons were generally portraits and varied in size. They could be worn or displayed on a piece of furniture or shelf. Large photographic buttons were most popular between 1900 and 1930. The smaller pinback buttons were popular beginning the 1890’s. One wonders if the three children in this photograph are siblings. Their facial appearance is similar so it is likely the case that they are siblings. This cabinet card has corner wear and is in overall good condition (see scans).
This Cabinet Card is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $48.00 at auction
Interested collectors may view the listing here:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/236794008555
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 
Leave a comment