Fishing attire has undergone some changes in 125 years, as has a young woman's choice of reading material when she is not baiting her hook or dabbling her hands in the cool waters with her gloves on – wouldn't you know it would be the latest issue of Anthony's Photographic Bulletin. What else?
You might think from my occasional commentary regarding Victorian-era studio backdrops that I am scornful of them, but no, I accept them as a cultural norm and I never fail to enjoy the joke as I am sure any intellectually discriminating Victorian also did. What is the draped object on the left? Oh, the picnic basket, of course!
This print by J. D. Cadwallader, of Marietta, Ohio, and Parkersburg, West Virginia, is one of the most elaborate faux scenes I have yet seen, with real water as indicated by the tone change in the woman's glove, though I will suspend belief as to whether anyone went away with fish stories – the woman with the line in the water looks somewhat skeptical as to her chances (and perhaps she is feeling just a bit silly). No photographer would create such a scene for a single use; wouldn't you like to know how many other of these photos are out there somewhere?
On the back is inscribed in lovely Spencerian penmanship: Yours affectionately, Kate & Mrs. Yvette, Dec. 7/84.
Another thing that has changed – not many American women today dress in a manner that only exposes the face and a bit of wrist!