Original Victorian Cabinet Card Photograph – Two Women – Decorah, IowaOffered is an original late-19th-century cabinet card portrait depicting two elegantly dressed Victorian women, photographed by James T. Relf of Decorah, Iowa.The women are posed in Relf’s studio in formal dark dresses, with wonderful period details including high collars, jewelry, elaborate hairstyles, and the upholstered studio chair. The image has excellent character and strong contrast.The photographer’s mount is printed:CABINET PORTRAIT
J. T. RELF
DECORAH, IOWAThe reverse features Relf’s particularly attractive illustrated studio backmark identifying him as an “Artistic Photographer” at “Relf’s Block, Decorah, Iowa,” along with the period advertising statement:“Instantaneous Process used exclusively. Duplicates can be had at any time.”James T. Relf is a documented Decorah photographer; Iowa historical records place the Relf photographic business in Decorah by the early 1880s. Date: Circa 1880s–early 1890s
Location: Decorah, Iowa
Photographer: James T. Relf
Format: Original cabinet card / albumen photograph
Subject: Two Victorian womenCondition: Very good antique condition overall with age-related surface wear, light spotting/toning, and minor edge/corner wear. There is an old handwritten notation and small collection/reference sticker on the reverse. Please examine the photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.A particularly attractive Iowa Victorian portrait with a highly decorative photographer’s backmark, ideal for collectors of antique photography, Iowa history, Victorian fashion, women’s history, or Decorah/Winneshiek County material.
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