Victorian CDV Bearded Man, Manchester Bro's Providence R.I.

This is a Cartes-de-visite photograph of a bearded man sitting in an upholstered chair. The CDV was made by the Manchester Brothers 0f 73 Westminster Street of Providence Rhode Island. The image probably dates to between the 1870s and 1880s. The card is in generally good condition and has the typical yellowing of the paper, light foxing, and a water stain on the back corner. The card dimensions are about 2.5 x 4 inches.

In an 1878 history of Providence, Rhode island, the author wrote, "The first successful artists who engaged in taking daguerreotypes in Providence were Luther and Charles Daboll, who occupied rooms in the Washington Building in 1841. The oldest firm now engaged in the business is Manchester Brothers, located at 73 Westminster Street. Mr. H. N. Manchester, the senior member of the firm, settled in Providence in 1845, and formed a co-partnership with Samuel Masury. A few months after, he withdrew, and formed, with his brother, E. H. Manchester, the present firm of Manchester Bros. The first photographs taken in Providence were by this firm, about twenty years ago."