Captured from life, the Victorian Studio Portrait Photograph Collection is comprised of 229 Victorian and vintage original photographic prints dating from the mid 19th Century to the early 20th Century. Formats include Cartes-de-Visite, Cabinet Cards, Tintype, etc. The bulk of the collection represents studios in Missouri and Kansas, while the remaining span throughout the United States with a few in Europe. Within the Missouri studios, the majority represent Kansas City photographers.

Subject matter is primarily portraiture. Of the men, women and children, only a scant number of images identify the sitter; still they are an excellent depiction of the fashion and style of the times and well worth study. Studios of the period constructed elaborate stage sets, and clearly posed subjects were often photographed alongside extravagant backdrops and props. Artificial fences, gates and doorways, usually made of papier mache or cardboard, became standard studio equipment in the 1870's. Many photographers maintained a large selection of costume jewelry, necklaces, large Christian crosses, combs and half-crowns to adorn female subjects. Men were most often captured in modest settings, wearing dark clothing. The children in this collection are dressed primarily in bright clothing, posed in domestic settings.

This collection holds an eclectic selection of images for the researcher or anyone interested in 19th and early 20th Century photography.

Acknowledgments:

The University of Missouri-Kansas City University Libraries are grateful for the assistance with this web project provided by the University of Missouri-Library Systems Office, especially by Kurt Kopp, Assistant Director - Electronic Resources, Philip Redmon - Programmer Analyst and George Rickerson - UM Assistant Vice President for Library Systems and Executive Director, MOBIUS Consortium.