Victorian CDV Boys Sailors Boatswain Whistle Andrews Santa Fe NM

This is a Cartes-de-visite photograph of two boys in sailor outfits taken by E. Andrews & Co. Photographers Santa Fe, New Mexico. The image probably dates to between the 1870s and 1890s. The uniforms have somewhat authentic adult military look, the hats appear to have anchors and are similar in style to those used by British seamen circa 1870, and at the waists of the boys appears to be whistles, possibly bosun (or boatswain) style whistles on chains attached to an ornate buckle. Santa Fe was still the Wild West at this time, and New Mexico did not become a state until 1912. E. Andrews is known for some CDVs of Native Americans during this period. The optical image quality of the CDV is only average, and the condition of the card is generally good, but it has light foxing, some stains, a small tear of the bottom left corner of the photo, and some typical yellowing of the paper. The card dimensions are 2.5 x 4 inches.