Portrait Card Appraisal

Cabinet Card Portrait of 'Aggie Wchell'

This item is a 19th-century cabinet card photograph depicting a young woman identified as 'Aggie Wchell'. The photograph is monochromatic, likely sepia-toned or black and white, printed on albumen paper and mounted on a stiff cardboard backing, typical of cabinet cards from the era. The subject is a young woman, posed in a full-length studio portrait. She is wearing a dark, checked or plaid dress with a high collar, long sleeves, and a full, pleated skirt consistent with mid-19th century fashion, specifically the 1860s to 1870s. A dark belt with a rectangular buckle cinches her waist. Her hair is parted in the middle and pulled back. She stands confidently, with her right hand resting on what appears to be a decorative, dark, possibly wicker or wooden, armchair. The background features a plain studio backdrop on the left which transitions to a draped curtain on the right, suggesting a typical studio setting. The floor has a checkered pattern. The overall condition shows signs of age, including some fading, minor surface abrasions, and a slight discoloration or yellowing, particularly visible around the edges of the card. The verso of the card is not visible but often contains the photographer's imprint. There is handwritten inscription below the image which reads "Aggie Wchell, her self", indicating the subject's name and that it was a self-identification or a gift. The photograph is currently protected within a clear plastic sleeve. The edges of the cardboard mount show some wear and minor rounding.