A woman poses for her portrait at Gay’s studio in Fall River, Massachusetts. She likely viewed her self as foremost, a musician. She chose to pose herself, or approved the photographers instructions, to pose sitting and holding her autoharp on her lap. Gay’s Studio was operated by a talented female photographer named Emily Gay. She ran the studio for over 40 years. She established the studio in 1878. Actually, the studio was started in 1863 by her husband Edwin Gay. In 1878, Edwin “lost it” and shot his brother-in-law and abducted his daughter. He absconded to Canada, where he died from TB in 1879. The TB that killed Edwin, caused him to turn the studio over to Emily in around 1878. Somehow, she managed to run the studio despite all the personal drama in her life. When Emily retired in the 1920’s, her daughter succeeded her in running the studio. An interesting sidenote is that Emily (her maiden name was Borden) was a distant relative of Lizzie Borden, the tried and acquitted axe murderer of her father and step-mother. Lizzie lived in Fall River and was photographed at Gay’s Studio. The cabinet card image exists today. SOLD
This vintage real photo postcard features a serious boy and his violin. At least, I think it’s a violin. In the past, I have not been particularly accurate in my identification of musical instruments. This photo was taken by Williams’ Pioneer studio which had locations in the English communities of Holloway, Wood Green. Stoke Newington, Tottenham, and Hackney. This postcard portrait is in good condition. (SOLD)
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 