Figure 1.--This little American boy, Walter Owen, had a cabinent portrait take, we think in 1895. Walter was born May 14, 1993. As Walter looks about 2 years old, we believe that the portrait was probanly taken in 1895. His parents were John Owen and his wife Anna Owen. The portrait was tajen by Hohmanny of Mondovi, Wisconsin.

Serrated edges unlike the smooth edges cabinet cards provide useful chonological information. Some authors use the term scalloped edges. We think serrated is a more accurate description, but the common term is pinking. This is commonly used in sewing as well and is wear the term originated. We note cards in the 1880s and 1890s that had serrated/pinked edges. This was not the most common alternative, but we do see a number of them. We do not yet have the precise chronology of these serrated edge cabinent cards. And the variations in the serrations may help us further identify the chronological range. The serrated edges we have noted so far have four smooth corners, but serration between the corners. I'm not precisely sure why that was done. So far the cabinent cards we have found with serrated edges date from 1888-95. Our sample is very small, so presumably the chronological range is wider.

Serration with Four Smooth Corners

The serrated/pinked edges we have noted so far have four smooth corners, but serration between the corners. I'm not precisely sure why that was done. So far the cabinent cards we have found with serrated edges date fall in a short period, 1888-95. They are all American portraits. We are not sure yet about European dating conventions. Our sample is very small, so presumably the chronological range is wider. The serrated-edge card from Blue Earth City, Minnesota on the previous page was dated 1888. e note an unidentified girl from Peterborough, New Hampshire dated 1889. She has short hair and wears a stylish dress. girl from We note another serrated card of two boys in 1893. The card here from Mondovi, Wisconsin was taken in 1895 (figure 1). As we acquire additional datedcards we will refine our dating.

Corner Serration

We notice some cabinent cards with corner serration and the rest of the card with smooth edges. This seems to be less common than the cards with serration and smooh corners. The corner serration as far as we can tellis a 1890s format, but our sample is still too limited for any definitive dating.

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Created: 9:11 AM 1/25/2008
Last updated: 9:27 PM 11/11/2009