This is an original antique occupational photograph dating to the late 19th century. It depicts a large group of laborers, very likely roofers or builders, posed in front of a wooden structure. The photo measures 8 3/8 inches by 5 inches and is mounted on its original card stock. The group consists of about fifteen individuals—primarily men in work clothes, along with two women and one young girl, which makes this an especially unusual occupational image. The men are dressed in a mix of overalls, work shirts, caps, bowler hats, and vests, several sporting mustaches and stern expressions that were typical of the period. One man leans confidently against a large wooden wagon wheel, emphasizing both his stature and his pride in the trade. The women stand in the back, dressed in patterned blouses and aprons, while the young girl is seated front and center atop a stack of roofing materials. Her presence suggests she may have been a daughter brought along for the day. The individuals in the group wear varied expressions: some men stare directly into the camera with serious or defiant looks, while others appear more casual or even slightly amused. Together, they present a strong and dignified record of late-Victorian occupational (working class) life. On the reverse of the mount, the word “Odway” is written in pencil. It is difficult to decipher and could possibly read Oddway or Ordway. If it is Ordway, it may refer to the town of Ordway, Colorado (founded in the 1890s), though it is equally possible that it is simply a surname. It may be the surname of person that possessed the photograph. (SOLD)
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 