1890s Engagement Photo - Antique Couples Photograph - Vintage Michigan Cabinet Card

This cabinet card from Battle Creek, MI features some iconic fashion and photographic styles of the 1890s. Most strikingly, this is a photograph-in-a-photograph -- if you look closely, you can see that the man has a portrait of his beloved pinned to his lapel!

The man's clean shave and side part reflect the 1890s focus on sleek looks for men, brought on by the invention of new shaving technologies. He continues the sleek motif with his immaculately starched collar and three-piece suit, accented with a patterned tie. As mentioned, he has a picture of his wife-to-be pinned to his lapel! 

The wife wears a beautiful striped day gown, decorated with a fanciful neckscarf and hairband, each tied in bows. In this era, the motto for women's bows was "the bigger the better" -- and it shows! 

The beveled cardboard frame was introduced in 1892 as a fancier alternative to traditional cards, and black was the most enviable, luxurious color. Embossed framing designs, too, were introduced in 1894 and defined the style of photos from this time.

Height: 4 1/4"
Width: 5 3/4"

Condition: Slight discoloration, foxing, and fading. 

**Our vintage ephemera may have signs of wear or production imperfections. We mention creases, crazing, foxing or tears in our descriptions, the photos are part of the description, please examine carefully. Thanks for shopping!