The Library of Congress Collection

Originally published August 2022 · p. 41

These young ladies are wearing a style of clothing common to girls and young teens. Their dresses open at the back rather than the front; their necklines are somewhat wider, and the sleeves are somewhat shorter than would be expected on clothing of adult women in this period. Both girls wear pendant necklaces emphasized by the photographer with gold overpaint. Gold charms like the ones these girls are wearing were sometimes given as prizes for doing well in school and in academic competitions. The girl on the right has a ring on her pointer finger while the girl on the left has a bracelet. The background is a scene from a wealthy family. Medium: sixth-plate ambrotype, hand-colored; 9.4 x 8.3 cm (case). Reproduction Number: LC-DIGppmsca-37178. Liljenquist Family Collection of Civil War Photographs (Library of Congress).