Double Takes
I collect Cartes de Visites from the mid Victorian era. I am addicted to these little gems! I have lost track of how many I have, and have purchased nearly but not all of them from ebay. Once in a while I'd come across a seller selling cdvs of the same person or same family members in a combined lot, but not very often. Most cdv's I purchase are singles, and I've found matching people from different sellers at different times, which I find amazing.
On occasion, I've come across a cdv listing on ebay and thought, hmmm....that face looks awfully familiar! And lo and behold, I do indeed already possess that same person in my collection. Needless to say, I have an intrinsic need to keep these poor people together, so I give it my all in the bidding process to bring them home. Sadly, there have been some that have gotten away that I truly regret losing out on. This is the situation in the case of the images below.
They are of Amelie Beaufour, a little Parisian girl between 1861 and 1866. I lost out on her Confirmation photograph and her older sister's Confirmation photograph. I'm still peeved about it! The first four images you see here are the front and back of the Amelie Beaufour cdv's I have in my possession. The following three I found amazingly in a recent book purchase. I tried to contact the writer of the book and got nowhere. I really want these last three cdv's to keep them all together.
The following images of Amelie Beaufour are found in "Hats, Caps & Bonnets: 1855-1875; 12 Patterns for Dolls & An Illustrated History" by Marianne Burke.
Mademoiselle Beaufour was obviously a young lady of upper class, and her parents were able to have her portrait taken every year, and she's dressed to the nines in each image. Lucky girl! I do have more 'double takes' that I will post during the next few days. Amelie is my very favorite, because I am able to some degree watch this little girl grow up in another lifetime. Oh how I wish I were able to find more of her. I might get lucky!
One thing I find unique about this little girl, is that in a time when only center parted hair was acceptable for little girls, her baby picture shows her hair is definitely parted on the side, like a boy. I think her baby picture is absolutely beautiful, and I want to scoop her up and cuddle her.
ReplyDeleteShe is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI have 2 different cdv's that I'm quite sure are the same little girl, but I found one on eBay and another at an antiques show.
I wish you much good luck in finding the rest.
She is such a pretty baby, I would want to scoop her up and cuddle her,too.
Wow...she sure gets around! Kind of funny she keeps going to live with doll people.
ReplyDeleteI am captivated by the old cdv's as well and absolutely love this post. I'm hoping you will find more images of Amelie sometime down the road...she is so precious. I know what you mean about trying to keep the family images together. I do the same thing whenever I can...it just seems like the right thing to do :)
ReplyDeletethese are so cute! How neat to see the various outfits for differnt ages!
ReplyDeleteoh, Robin, I didn't word that quite right~
ReplyDeleteI meant that I have found 2 cdv's of a little civil war era girl in very different places, not your wonderful girls...
if I had found any of your Amelie I surely would make sure that they went to live with you.
How wonderful is that! And that is why your doll dresses are so wonderfully accurate. Have you made a doll inspired by Amelie?
ReplyDeleteThese are so beautiful, and what an amazing resource for historical doll clothing as well
ReplyDeleteI am totally impressed with the cdv's of the little girl and her doll. This is all new to me. I collect cabinet cards of little girls in their period clothes, but this is quit beautiful.I learn something new every day. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteLady Estelle
The dolls on your sidebar are exquisite! And I love these cartes de visites. Great collection to have.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't familiar with this name for old photos so I had to look it up...thanks for teaching me something new. I have a small collection, mostly family groups, that are framed and hung in my hall just because I love looking at them. Visitors ask if they are my family and when I confess that I don't know who they are I get that blank stare and head scratching like I'm too weird for words. Thanks for sharing in the love of old photos!
ReplyDeleteI love that you have been able to begin a collection centering on Amelie. There is such wonder watching any child from year to year, but to have the opportunity to see changes from that long ago is a unique privilege. Thanks for sharing with us!
ReplyDeleteHow very beautiful and interesting too!! I have long admireds these pictures but never really knew the history behind them!! I so hope you can find more of this lovely girl!! I can tell she inspires your work too!!
ReplyDeleteThank you again for stopping by for a visit and leaving such kind comments!!! I need to have my husband add you to my list of blogs too!! I love coming by for a visit!!
Blessings~~
Julie
Lovely pictures, I too have collected a few old pictures of children, they're fascinating. I had no idea the proper name for them either. Thanks so much for sharing and for stopping by my blog.
ReplyDeleteHaving been a Children's Portrait Photographer in my working years....I can tell you... this is very unusual for that day and age to have portraits done each year.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful collection.
LOVED having you share these with us.
Thank you,
Rose
Oh my gosh your collection is amazing! She is beautiful. I hope someday the author gets back to you. That last one with the doll...oh you should definitely have that one! Thank you for sharing and I will keep my eye our for little Amelie on my antiquing journeys. Jenn :)
ReplyDeleteNot something I have ever collected but have seen and admired their beauty. It is neat that you get to see the girl grow up. Probably a Governors daughter or something like that.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,Pea
How wonderful to have such a tribute to a young lass's life...
ReplyDeleteI can well understand the addiction, working for an auctioneer I am privileged to find books full of these little darlings suspended in time.
It is perfect that individuals like us shall be their caretakers for now and gaze into those eyes that hold so many secrets.
Susan
What incredible pieces.
ReplyDeleteDarryl and Ruth : )
Amazing that you're able to come across so many of one person. I collect them also but only ones with details of the clothing and hats for my costume recreations. Its sometimes more fun to make a "real" dress.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful collection! Loved your blog and especially your beautiful dolls, like modern "antiques" in beauty and artistry. Thank you for stopping by and saying hello!
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful pictures! I collect antique photos too and have some antique photo albums with pictures of families in them. I look forward to visiting your blog again soon!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Kim
Robin, I just came across this photo of a little girl & her dolly in 1853. http://www.flickr.com/photos/mirrorimagegallery/5215231944/
ReplyDeleteThis man has some beautiful photos in his collection, especially the ambrotypes in Pretty Victorians http://www.flickr.com/photos/mirrorimagegallery/with/5309209749/
Val
How wonderful, it must be so exciting when u find the missing pieces, good luck with your hunting. and thank you for visiting & your lovely comments.
ReplyDeleteWow..this is so interesting...good luck on your search! : )
ReplyDeleteRobin, Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful CDV's. Wonderful information! It's great to share a love of history in this fashion!
ReplyDeleteMs. Robin's Egg. Thanks for droping by. I was afraid I had lost you. I understand you have been busy. I would be interested in the portrait. Would love an email with a photo. I am afraid there is not much money theses days for new things. So te prce would of course be a decision maker. Have a beautiful day. Richard
ReplyDelete