All I want for Christmas...

This is one of the most precious and wonderful images I have ever come across. Several weeks ago, I stopped at an antique store on Route 4 in Northwood, NH and saw this remarkable cdv of a young girl with her doll. I talked myself out of buying it but a week or so later, I decided I could not pass this one up! Luckily, it was still there locked behind the glass case and within a few moments it passed into my possession for a long time to come. This adorable youngester was probably from Lawrence, Massachusetts, where the image was taken by Yeaw & Co. at 166 Essex Street likely during 1860-61. The simple white card the image is glued to with no ornamentation or gold border suggests this is a very early American carte de visite.

The subject is so special and it's obvious this large doll was perhaps her most valued possession for a girl 10 years old or possibly younger. Was it a Christmas or birthday gift? It's very possible since her parents wanted to have a picture of their daughter with the doll. The carving on the chair in the photographer's studio is also amazing in detail. Please click on the picture to get a closer look.

I would like to dedicate this post to my aunt Diane Jones, who tragically and suddenly passed on from this world on Sunday, December 21 at the age of 56. She was a wonderful teacher, human being, and always a kid at heart!