A Personal Collection
SOLD October 2009 |
Smaller-format card-mounted photograph showing an odd but very personal selection of five photographs, an oil lamp, and an amateur seaside painting posed on easel so as to reflect in the mirror. Card approx. 5.25 x 4.25 inches (13x11 cm), imprinted bottom "J. H. McAllister, Photographer, Waban, Mass." Print size 4.75 x 3.75 inches (12x9 cm).
We can only conjecture at the connection between these carefully displayed objects. Do these photographs show siblings? Is one of the women shown in the photographs responsible for the unframed canvas shown in the mirror's reflection? To my eye, each of the five photographs appear to show a different person, two men and three women. The topmost woman's portrait appears to be on a card mount embossed "Elsam, Laconia, N.H." indicating she was currently distant from the scene of this image.
Did the five meet, or spend time together, in the area shown in the seaside scene?
