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Circa 1894-1901. "Sanford, Miss J.B." 5x7 inch glass negative from the C.M. Bell portrait studio in Washington, D.C. View full size.
The expression on her face seems to be acknowledging the ridiculosity of her outfit.
People who are into the "Steampunk/Goth" look saying to themselves: "Must have."
The swish from those amazing sleeves would be a dead giveaway.
This immediately made me think of Anne Shirley's love of puffed sleeves, and Marilla's disapproval of their waste of fabric.
This amount of skin showing is offensive.
... for a Shorpyist (Shorpyphile?) to tell us that this young lady is the daughter of a congressman, senator, cabinet member or even a European ambassador. I'm sure there's a story here. C'mon researchers!
[The Bell studio's clientele was working-class folk, both white and black. The nobility would have taken their trade elsewhere. - Dave]
"Seinfeld" fans will get the joke!
I am so glad women are no longer subjected to corsets. Her waist looks about eighteen inches!
It's hurts looking at her waist. That corset must be extremely uncomfortable.
I think this is a circa 1895-1896 photo of Josepha Bland Sanford (1874-1945) of Westmoreland County, Virginia. Possibly taken just before her 1896 marriage to Thomas Jefferson Nevitt (1872-1946). In the late 1890s to early 1900s the couple was living in Washington, where her husband worked as a police officer. By 1910, the couple had a moved back to Westmoreland County, when Thomas is listed as a "farmer," and living next to the Sanford family farm.
And they say today's fashion world is bizarre. This costume looks like it weighs a ton and barely allows the lady to move her forearms and fingers.
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