Seeing Double—Picture Postcards, ca. 1900

These two studio photographs were apparently taken on the same day. Take a close look at the clothing and you will see it is the same except for the woman’s collar.  I wonder if this often happened—that sitters got their pictures taken in front of different backgrounds and decided later whether they were in the mood for a subtle setting or a tropical locale.

The husband is at the center of things here, with that broad expanse of white shirt and vest to draw in the eye.  His wife stands in the background in a supporting role.  Her dress comes from the late 19^th or early twentieth century, with its high collar and puff sleeves.  The hat is also typical for that time period.  Note that she is wearing the “big black dress” common to women of her age.  Her hourglass shape was undoubtedly enhanced by a stiff corset.

Both photos are printed on postcard stock so that they could be sent in the mail.  According to Robert Pols’ informative book, Family Photographs, 1860-1945, the practice of using photos for postcards started in the mid-nineteenth century.  By the turn of the twentieth century, studio photographers had all the materials handy to print up cards for their clients, as well as the backdrops to change the mood.

Which copy did the couple send out?  I would have recommended the plainer one, where the man doesn’t appear quite so pleased with himself and the is woman not as unhappy.  She looks like the last person on earth who would enjoy a trip to the tropics.