**
Large families were common in the 19th century, primarily because so many people lived on farms. There were small families for a variety of reasons, but mostly city families tended to have fewer children. Here we have a cabinet card portrait of what kooks like a middle-class city family in comfortable circumstances. Father wears a frock suit and wing collar. Mother has a stylish dress with extensive embroidery and velvet trim. The son wears a double-breasted sack suit with high-set lapels and a pristine wide, white Eton collar. He may be wearing a tie underneath, but it is difficult to tell. The boy looks to be about 10-years old. They seem to be close-knit family, although no one is holding hands. We know the portrait was taken in 1892 as it was printed in the mount. The studio is Gibson in Kansas City, Missouri.
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