THIRTEEN TEENAGE GIRLS POSE AT PAJAMA PARTY? STAGE PRODUCTION? WEDDING? (DECIDE FOR YOURSELF)

What is happening in this unusual and interesting cabinet card photograph? Your guess is as good as mine. There are thirteen teenage girls in this image who seem to be celebrating something. The girl in the center of the photograph is wearing a crown or veil and is flanked by two girls pressing their hands up against each other as if to create a steeple.. Are they holding a train of a dress? The girl in the bottom row, second to the right, is also holding something, but what is it? Too many questions, and too few answers. Note the girls hairstyles, or lack of hair styles. Long and disheveled hair seems to be the fashion in this photograph. Do you think that this photograph captures a stage production? A Pajama Party? A Wedding? What is your best guess? This photograph was produced by the Bailey studio located at 86 North Third Street, in Columbia, Pennsylvania. Most likely, the photographer of this photograph is William Bailey (born about 1854). At some point in his career he operated a studio in Columbia. His father David Bailey (born about 1830) and his brother (born about 1861) were also both photographers. The 1880 census finds all three of these men living in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania which is located about 80 miles from Columbia. To view other photographs by William Bailey, click on the category “Photographer:  Bailey”.

FASHIONABLE WOMAN IN TAMAQUA, PENNSYLVANIA

This cabinet card captures a fashionable young woman, who judging by her expression, knows that she looks great. Note the striped bodice. Also notice her small waist, courtesy of a corset. In addition, the rings of hair  on her forehead are quite unusual, but not particularly attractive. . The woman is pretty, but “its the dress” that makes this cabinet card notable. The photographer of this image is either David Baily, or his son Elmer Baily.  Their studio was located in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania. To view other photographs by the Bailys, and to learn more about them, click on the category “Photographer: Baily”.

BROTHER AND SISTER POSE FOR PHOTOGRAPHER IN TAMAQUA, PENNSYLVANIA

A brother and sister pose for this cabinet card by Baily, in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania. The children look very serious as they stare at the photographer. Note the draped rug separating the siblings. The Cabinet Card Gallery presents another photograph by Baily and it can be viewed in the category “Photographer: Baily”. The description of this other image contains interesting information about both the photographer and the town of Tamaqua, Pennsylvania.

PRETTY WOMAN POSES FOR PHOTOGRAPHER IN “LAND OF THE BEAVER” (TAMAQUA, PENNSYLVANIA)

A very pretty woman poses for her portrait at the studio belonging to a photographer named Baily, in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania. The woman appears very fashionable in her high collar dress. Tamaqua is located in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania and is about 35 miles south of Wilkes Barre. The name of the town comes from the Native American word Tamaqua; which means “Land of the Beaver”. The town was in Pennsylvania’s coal region and thrived in the late 1890′s and early 1900′s. Baily’s studio was founded by David Baily circa 1862. An 1892 edition of Anthony’s Photographic Bulletin reports his retirement after 30 years in his occupation. The article adds that he was succeeded by his son Elmer D. Baily. The format of this photograph suggests a time period that makes it likely that this portrait was done by Elmer Baily.