AN INTIMATE PORTRAIT OF TWO YOUNG SISTERS IN CENTRALIA, ILLINOIS

sisters f_0002This cabinet card photograph, by the Evans and Balsinger studio, does an excellent job of capturing the love between two adorable sisters. The older sister has an expression of apprehension. She does not seem to be thrilled about having her picture taken. The previous owner of this image asserted that the two subjects in this image are of Hispanic origin. That appears to be just a guess on his part although these girls do appear to be “ethnic”. The Pallet seen next to Evans and Balsiger’s name indicates that the photograph was produced in 1890. Advertising on the reverse of the cabinet card indicates that their studio was located on the Tompkin’s Block in Centralia, Illinois.  (SOLD)

Published in: on March 12, 2014 at 11:26 am  Leave a Comment  
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BEAUTIFUL WOMAN WITH BIG BUTTONS IN CENTRALIA, ILLINOIS

A very pretty woman with big dreamy eyes and dark hair poses for her portrait at the  McKnight studio, in Centrailia, Illinois. The woman is wearing a dress that has four very large buttons at its top and smaller buttons below. The large and small buttons appear to be identical except for size. The decorative buttons show grapes or berries. The woman is also wearing a flower and earrings, as well as a pin at her collar. The pin features the letter “H”, which may be the first letter of her first or last name. The photographer of this image may be Frank McKnight or P. McKnight. Both of these individuals are listed in a directory of Illinois photographers as operating studios in Centralia during the cabinet card era. This photograph has a crossed out location on the bottom of the image. It is probable that the photographer formerly owned a studio in Missouri and moved to Illinois but kept his stock of pre-printed paper. Although it is easy to decipher the state, the town is blacked out beyond the point of recognition.

Published in: on March 9, 2012 at 12:01 am  Comments (2)  
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