This charming Victorian cabinet card photograph shows two children posed in a theatrical studio scene, almost certainly intended to evoke the nursery rhyme “Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a pail of water.” The young girl and boy stand on either side of a metal pail, each holding the handle, with a painted woodland backdrop behind them. Their costuming adds to the theatrical quality of the image: the girl wears a light dress with a decorated hat, while the boy wears a belted outfit, high socks, and a brimmed hat. The composition has wonderful storybook appeal. The photograph was produced by C. W. Smartt who operated studios in Leamington and Stratford on Avon (United Kingdom). The cabinet card is in good antique condition overall, with typical age-related wear. The photograph has light fading and spotting. The reverse has general age toning and surface wear. The photographer’s backmark remains attractive and legible (see scans).
This Cabinet Card is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $32.00 at auction.
Interested collectors may view the listing here:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/236845472745
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 
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