Portrait of Matilda "Tillie" Buckner, Age 11, Kentucky, 1869

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Artifact Overview

Through much of the 19th century, having one's photo taken was a rare occurrence for most people. Matilda Buckner, an 11-year-old who grew up on Kentucky farm, appears in this 1869 photograph in her brand-new dress and prized accessories--the first ever taken of her. Matilda described her trip to the photographer's studio as a "never-to-be-forgotten day." Nowadays, we take photos of nearly everything.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Carte-de-visite (Card photograph)

Date Made

1869

Subject Date

1869

Collection Title

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

29.3169.2

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Cardboard
Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Albumen process
Hand coloring
Mounting

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)
Brown

Dimensions

Height: 3.75 in
Width: 2.375 in

Inscriptions

Handwritten in pencil on reverse side: Tillie Buckner / Salem, Ky. / Taken Supeton / Tif [?] Buckner / What a fright! Handritten in ink on reverse: Mrs. E. G. Carpenter / Aged 11 years
Portrait of Matilda "Tillie" Buckner, Age 11, Kentucky, 1869