I’m sharing one of my carte de visites today. It is of a woman standing in an ornate studio backdrop.
Just look at that dress! Ruching everywhere! I can’t say I like the sleeves but the skirt is amazing! She has a very heavy chain with a pendant at her throat. There are chains behind her left arm that would be for a watch. She also has some sort of bracelet on her right wrist and possibly on the left as well. The high lace collar is amazing! This lady is very well off, I think. The hair style is very 1880’s but I can do better with the date…
If the information I found on the internet about the Fletcher Brothers in Birmingham is correct, this card was created between 1880 and 1883. Prior to 1880, the studio occupied 148 Wheeler Street. At some point between 1880 and 1883 the studio acquired 146 as well…they expanded. In 1884 the street was renumbered and the address was 212-214 Wheeler. So assuming they were not using up years worth of cards with the old address printed on them, this photograph was printed on or near the dates that the studio address was 146 and 148 Wheeler…1880-1883.
