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Original C. S. Fly Cabinet Card Photograph – Tombstone, Arizona Territory – c. 1880s
Rare original cabinet card portrait from Fly’s Gallery, Tombstone, A.T., the studio of noted Western photographer Camillus S. “C. S.” Fly.
The photograph depicts an unidentified young child formally posed in an upholstered studio chair. The child is dressed in elaborate period clothing and wears a distinctive necklace with a small rectangular pendant or locket, an especially interesting detail that could potentially provide a clue to the sitter’s identity.
The cabinet card is clearly marked along the lower mount:
“Fly’s Gallery, Tombstone, A.T.”
C. S. Fly was one of the most important photographers working in territorial Arizona and is particularly associated with Tombstone during its famous frontier period. His surviving photographs are actively collected as important examples of Western Americana and early Arizona photography.
Provenance / Research: This photograph was found among a larger group of historical photographs and papers believed to have connections to a prominent Nevada mining family. Research has not established the identity of this child, however, and no specific family or individual attribution is being made. The Nevada mining-family connection is included as provenance and a possible avenue for future research only.
The child’s unusually formal clothing and prominent necklace with rectangular pendant or locket are noteworthy and may eventually help establish an identification.
An appealing and evocative original Tombstone territorial photograph with excellent Fly’s Gallery, Tombstone A.T. identification.
Condition: Original antique cabinet card with expected age-related toning, scattered spotting/soiling and some edge and corner wear. Image remains strong with very good subject detail. Please examine the photographs carefully for exact condition.
Shipping: Carefully packaged with archival-style protection and rigid reinforcement for safe shipment with insurance.
Item specifics
Type: Photograph
Format: Cabinet Card
Original/Licensed Reprint: Original
Photographer: C. S. Fly / Fly’s Gallery
Subject: Child Portrait
Location: Tombstone, Arizona Territory
Time Period: 1880s
Theme: Western Americana / Arizona Territory / Victorian Photography
Antique: Yes
