Two Girls with Big Hats and a Baby

Far be it from me to expound on Victorian fashion or fashion in any era, but this late 1800s photograph caught my eye and held it.

One glance proves that photographer Lafayette V. Newell (1833-1914) was a skilled artist. A farm boy from Barnstead, New Hampshire, with 12 siblings, Newell studied his craft during its early days. He got a lot of practice during the Civil War taking pictures of Confederate prisoners of war at Point Lookout in Maryland.

Newell is responsible for a great many of the key images we have of Portsmouth and its people. This shot, taken at his studio at 1 High St. in downtown Portsmouth, shows his level of skill. The two girls lean in toward the baby in the center. They appear almost comfortable, nearly casual. The fake painted rock ledge fades naturally into the background. The horizon is perfectly placed. The carpet of leaves and dirt appears natural, and while the wicker baby carriage in the center is huge, it is well placed at a diagonal and slightly cropped out of frame at the right. Like many of Newell’s cabinet card photos, this one is printed on super heavy stock with a scalloped edge tinged in gold.

Even a fashion-backwards observer like myself cannot fail to notice the “X-shaped” stitching on the neck of the girl at the left that is echoed at the bottom of her skirt. And what about those hats? They are reminiscent of the countless photos, posters, engravings and cigarette cards depicting a young Annie Oakley (1860-1926). The only thing missing is a little western fringe, an array of medals for marksmanship, and Annie’s ever-present rifle.

Ms. Oakley (her real name was Phoebe Ann Moses) may have been the talk of the nation around the time this portrait was taken. Having distinguished herself as a young girl, “Little Sure Shot” went on to a stellar career. Fun fact: Prior to World War I, Annie Oakley was hired to give shooting lessons to women at Wentworth by the Sea Hotel in New Castle.

There is, for the record, one name etched into the back of this cabinet card. It reads “Louise Woodbury.” Lots of Woodburys around these parts, but so far, I have not uncovered any biographical details — or determined which of the girls in the photo is Louise. Perhaps you know?

Copyright 2020 by J. Dennis Robinson, all rights reserved.