Figure 1.-- This American cabinet card was taken in 1890 and had a dark green mount. Walter M. Hoskin. He was 5 years 8 months old when the portrait was taken September 2, 1890, perhaps he was preparing for school. Walter wears a collar buttoning jacket which has been after the top button been left unbuttoned, giving the appearance of a cut-away jacket. The jacket has verical vents, part of Norfolk styling. It is unclear what kind of shirt he is wearing, perhps a shirt waist. There are no Fauntleroy elements, either neckwear or fancy collar despite the fact that the portrait was taken during the Fauntlroy craze and many boys his age wore Funtleroy suits or decorarive trim.

We have seen some green cards. They were all dark green. There were different green shades. Some were so dark as they approched black. Other were a dark, but more clearly a green shade. We are not yet sure of the chronology. We think they were mostly done in the 1880s and this is confirmed by examples that we have archived so far. We note this portrait of Walter Hoskin from Ohio done with a mount done in a lighter green shade, although still dark in 1890 (Figure 1). Notice the rustic setting wih grass, a waterfall and a chopped block of wood. We think all these dark colored cards (blue, brown, burgandy/maroon, and green) all had about the same chronolgical popularity. The lettering was often done with gold or a gold looking print. Some were done with fancy backs.

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Created: 9:10 AM 4/23/2012
Last updated: 9:10 AM 4/23/2012