Featured What kind of costume in this photo?

Thank you for the information, and for the link! I knew some of that, but not all.

My original thought on this cabinet card was either theatrical or a fancy dress ball, as you mentioned. I was surprised when somebody suggested something else that did seem plausible at the time.

Since I can't find any previous post here, or in eBay boards, or on Facebook, and I could find no earlier scan of this photo in my computer -- maybe my memory of posting it came from a dream?

 

I wrote to the Floyd County Historical Museum, hoping somebody is checking their email account. They are probably closed due to the coronavirus situation.

UPDATE: With my permission, the museum staff posted it on their Facebook page to see if anybody has information or can help.

 

with the exception of a couple of forums here, all posted photo's can be copied by visitors and bots........... would you want your plate number to show up on google...or bing...or ............ i mean...why would ya !!!

 

I'm glad to hear that!

 

That book will be useful to me, to compare to other parts of my collection. It was published in 1906, and in recent years I've added many early 20th-century photos to my collection. I did find a pdf version online that I've downloaded. In this case I also wanted a printed one, and have just ordered one. All of the copies in abebooks were being sold out of the U.K. so the transit will take a little while. Still, thank you!

 

Although yours looks more home-made and not a "stock" pattern for the typical fraternal head gear, you might try the DeMoulin Bros. Co. Museum. They supplied mail-order fraternal gear in the 19th century. Their website does not indicate an archives, but maybe they have one. http://www.demoulinmuseum.org/

 

Already too late then .... that pic and a whole lot of others have been posted online in the automobile forums for about the last 6 years

 

Because people are paranoid....... Won't matter when the zombie apocolypse starts after Covid-19....lol

 

I thought it looked like Rasputin. The Odd Fellows also do a lot with costumes. They re-enact Biblical stories. The local Odd Fellows hall has a closet crammed full of interesting costumes that are quite elaborate.

 

I just received the copy I had ordered of the book that is digitized in the link above. Masquerades, Tableaux and Drills, published by Butterick Publishing Company in 1906. Looks like it will be useful generally for my research on the antique photos of people in costume that I collect. I'm glad that you found it. Thanks, @Darkwing Manor !

 

I'm only seeing this for the first time now. Although the fact of his having a studio portrait made urges me toward fraternal order of some sort, my immediate reaction was one of the Three Kings from a Christmas Nativity tableau vivant or reenactment. I'm going with the idea the beard is part of the getup. The brotherhoods don't seem to go this far in their costuming.

 

Thanks, @Bronwen .