Figure 1.--This CDV shows a transition from the 1860s to 70s. The white stockings, the blank wall, and the CDV format are all characteristic of the 1860s, but the informality of the pose is more like the 1870s.

Here we see a CDV portrait of the the four Von Dusen boys. They are identified on verso in period pencil; "Geo(rge), Sam, Joe, (and), Cha(rle)s Van Dusen". They look to be about 4-14 years of age. The portrtrait is dated, it was taken during October 1870. The boys all wear different outfts including cut-away ackets, what looks like a jacket with early double-breasted styling, and a lapel jacket. The two boys in front weak knee pants, notice the long length. Also notice the stripes on the pants. They with white stockings. White sockings were very common in the 1860s, but boys mostly wore colored stockings, often striped stokings, in the 1870s. Also notice the blank wall. That background was common in the 1860s, but rarely seen in the 70s. We assume that they are brothers-note their similar eyes and shape of face, although cousins are a possibility. The family is presumably of Dutch orginins. Many of these families had roots dating back to the 17th century. Browsing a number of genealogical resources on the web has not pinned their identity; both a George and Charles were mentioned as sons of 85-year-old Hannah Van Dusen when she was killed in a freak accident in New York during August 1914. She appears to have been a wife of the Hiram Van Dusen, a banker of Brown Brothers Co., brass manufacturers, who died the following December. The CDV was taken at the Wenderoth, Taylor, & Brown studio in Philadelphia.

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Created: 5:09 AM 10/30/2011
Last edited: 5:09 AM 10/30/2011