A widow?

[kenysd]

I have had this picture for years, Picked it up for $1.50 in an antique store.
I have always wondered......who, what, when?

will you experts take a look and tell me what you think?
dress, year, etc.
I have thought it looks like a Civil War Widow picture.
the look she has is compelling...

thanks..Ken

 

[kenysd]

I have had this picture for years, Picked it up for $1.50 in an antique store.
I have always wondered......who, what, when?

will you experts take a look and tell me what you think?
dress, year, etc.
I have thought it looks like a Civil War Widow picture.
the look she has is compelling...

thanks..KenView attachment 383516

I cleared it up. better picture...

 

[lupaglupa]

My first thought would not be widow. She does has a pensive expression but that's not at all unusual in photos from the era. Her hairstyle, clothing, and jewelry are more fancy than you often see in mourning clothes.

 

[kenysd]

right lupaglupa, and she's wearing jewelry, ear rings. etc. not right for mourning. what year do you think.
pretty girl....wonder if it's a soldiers picture. it is a frame pict. 5 x 7.5 inches. with oval frame mark.
frame long gone....Ken

 

[Robert Gray]

Actress and Union spy Pauline Cushman wore a similar dress.

 

[Robert Gray]

As did Ellen Mary Marcy, wife of General George McClellan.

 

[Mrs. V]

I would think quite young, but not a widow..or at least not in the first year. In the second year you could have a fancier dress, wear earrings and..as you came out of mourning you could have a white collar again.

Those curls and that hair style remind me of quite a young thing.

 

[kenysd]

great replies guys....thanks....I think they had a 'sale' on that dress back in the day.
wonder if they were in colors?
keep them coming...Ken

 

[lupaglupa]

We are seeing a lot with those tight ruffles - very popular at the time! @Mrs. V do you know when they started making those crimping forms for ruffles? I've seen them at historic sites.

 

[Mrs. V]

We are seeing a lot with those tight ruffles - very popular at the time! @Mrs. V do you know when they started making those crimping forms for ruffles? I've seen them at historic sites.

I do not know off hand, but I do know there is a cast iron crimping tool for those pleats.