A pretty young mother poses with her baby for a portrait by Charles Hoffman in New York City, New York. Mom certainly has no aversion to attracting attention judging by her polka dot dress and fantastic hat. She has a flair for putting an outfit together; her dress, hat, and dark gloves are a good match. Mother seems to also have no trouble showing affection to her young child. She holds her head very close to the baby head which is likely a reflection of the closeness she feels to her baby. The book, Great Industries Exchange and Commercial Review (1884), mentions photographer Charles Hoffmann. The citation states that he had recently established his 1288 Broadway studio after working 18 years in the “famous house of Sarony” in an important position. To view photographs by Napoleon Sarony, click on the category “Photographer: Sarony”.
LOVING MOM IN POLKA DOT DRESS POSES WITH HER BABY IN NEW YORK CITY
THE POLKA DOT LADY FROM BELLEFONTE, PENNSYLVANIA
This cabinet card image features a shapely woman in a polka dot dress with a black jacket and apron. Although the shape of the dots are more like a leaf or star, than a dot, the dress has a polka dot appearance. The fashion statement made by this woman is reminiscent of the latter day song about the girl in the “itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow polka dot bikini”. The woman in this photograph, judging by her outfit, clearly is not adverse to attracting attention. The photograph was produced by an unidentified studio in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. Interestingly, Bellefonte proclaims itself to be “Central Pennsylavnia’s Victorian Secret”. According to various sources, the town has many lovely Victorian homes. Bellefonte is located about twelve miles from State College, the home of Penn State.
