Product Overview
This is an antique Victorian era carte de visite or CdV photograph of a young man dressed as Santa Claus with a fur suit and faux beard standing beside a large wicker basket with a winter backdrop that includes snow, a stone wall and iron fence. The back of the card has an inscription that was obviously added at a much later date that reads "Dr. T.L. Kane, "Daddy" made up to play Santa Claus for Church program, probably. Taken before 1909. (VKA) 1973."
Full disclosure....this is a cool photo. Scarce early photo of Santa, ridiculously rare for sure....but I have no idea if the inscription on the back is accurate. I found this photo at a "multiple estate" type auction with multiple consignments. It was found among other photos. At the same auction I found many other period late Victorian era photos of all types, many of which were inscribed with identifications from the period that listed subjects with the last name "Kean." I also found some with inscriptions that looked to read "Kane," both original looking and newer, like this one. If this photo is really of the Civil War general and founder of Kane, Pennsylvania, T.L. Kane, it was taken much earlier than 1909, much earlier, as the subject appears to be quite young. The photos were found in the Kane, PA area and some were taken by photographers in Kane as well. There are a few photos of T.L. Kane available online if the identity of this man is what is of importance to you.
Size: Normal carte de visite size.
Subject: Identified on back a "T.L. Kane"
Photographer: Unknown
Condition: Refer to the gallery image for a better idea of the subject matter and condition and trimming of the photograph, you will receive the exact photo that is pictured.
Other: -
Full disclosure....this is a cool photo. Scarce early photo of Santa, ridiculously rare for sure....but I have no idea if the inscription on the back is accurate. I found this photo at a "multiple estate" type auction with multiple consignments. It was found among other photos. At the same auction I found many other period late Victorian era photos of all types, many of which were inscribed with identifications from the period that listed subjects with the last name "Kean." I also found some with inscriptions that looked to read "Kane," both original looking and newer, like this one. If this photo is really of the Civil War general and founder of Kane, Pennsylvania, T.L. Kane, it was taken much earlier than 1909, much earlier, as the subject appears to be quite young. The photos were found in the Kane, PA area and some were taken by photographers in Kane as well. There are a few photos of T.L. Kane available online if the identity of this man is what is of importance to you.
Size: Normal carte de visite size.
Subject: Identified on back a "T.L. Kane"
Photographer: Unknown
Condition: Refer to the gallery image for a better idea of the subject matter and condition and trimming of the photograph, you will receive the exact photo that is pictured.
Other: -
