Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;User 67, post: 7053, member: 67&quot;]I think it is most likely that these are personal items.</p><p><br /></p><p>This is an albumen print, not a tintype. Tintype poses tend to be a little more crass or direct. This photo, with it&#039;s superb lighting is obviously leaning more toward the artistic. It was not uncommon to hold an object, the bible being the most common, but just as common to hold nothing. You would have to have a serious case of the shakes to induce the photographer to shove a book in your hands. Besides the lady is holding the photo too delicately to be using it to steady her hands.</p><p><br /></p><p>I think it is more likely that the photo is of a dear departed relative, but the artistic pose was to hold it in loving memory rather than crudely display it in morbid veneration. The girls cushion is typical of the type of craft taught to girls of that age and I would be sure that she is holding her finest accomplishment. As far as the ball goes, that might be a prop. I have frequently seen boys with toys, so that could in a way be considered an occupational, but it is possibly his favorite toy, or a toy the photographer has around the studio to occupy the kid while he sets up, with the promise that he can play with it as long as when the time comes he becomes perfectly still. It could also be a bribe that they gave the kid prior to the photo session. Or the kid whined &quot;how come mommy gets to take a photo and sissy gets to take her pillow, what do I get to take?&quot; this is a way to engage a kid in a task they never seem to enjoy. Considering that this is a German (I&#039;m 2nd gen) photo, it is possible that the cane is the one the father used when the boy misbehaved (explains the look of terror in his eyes and who wouldn&#039;t stand up straighter?).</p><p><br /></p><p>But I think this stick is typical of a fancy walking stick used by a dandy and would have been the type given to a boy by well to do parents.</p><p><br /></p><p>I see that the kids are wearing jewelry, and that is unusual. It makes me wonder if these are family heirlooms or some extravagance that nutty aunt Gretchen sent them, and she, of course, is going to get a copy of this photo.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in