“Little Boy Dressed in a ‘Lord Fauntleroy Suit’”
/Petaluma Photo Gallery’s portrait photograph of a
“Little Boy in a ‘Lord Fauntleroy suit’”
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
The Petaluma Photo Gallery was advertised between July 7 and July 23, 1898 in the Petaluma Daily Morning Courier. The advertisement was run 16 times and is the only mention of the gallery in the Petaluma papers. The large advertisement for the gallery claimed that photographs were available below cost and were finished by a, “First-Class Workman from San Francisco.” At the bottom of the advertisement was written, “Remember the place is Opp. American Hotel, Joslin’s Old Gallery”. The photographer, Amon James Tuft Joslin, had departed Petaluma for Chico, California in April of 1897, presumably leaving his photographic studio “opposite the American Hotel” empty and available at 850 Main Street.
THE SITTER:
Name: Unidentified
Description: The little boy in this portrait is dressed in an open-fronted jacket and knickers. Under his jacket he wears a white shirt with large, lace, cuffs and collar. Around his neck is an extremely large plaid bow. This manner of dressing little boys is often referred to as the “Little Lord Fauntleroy” style which was very fashionable at the time for the young sons of upper middle class families.
Biographical Note:
Family Affiliation: this photo remains, as donated, in the McCleave family and friends photo album.
Bibliography:
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: cabinet card
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front: This portrait was taken in front of a painted backdrop which faintly suggests a garden setting with ornamental objects. The backdrop has been draped to also cover the floor. The child portrayed stands on the backdrop and rests his arm on a fabric covered studio prop. The Gallery’s imprint appears along the bottom edge, and all four sides of the cabinet card are pinked.
Description, back: The back of this cabinet card is blank or contains only an accession number.
Date: July 1898
Condition: This cabinet card is in good condition.
Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 2004-315-02-p14-p7, McCleave Family Album
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