Victorian Photograph Parties
Victorian Photograph Parties
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Novelty parties were all the rage in Victorian America. We’ve seen Calico Balls and Masquerade Balls. According to The Philadelphia Enquirer (1896), novelties included bicycle balls, photograph parties, and “smokers.”
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The new novel variation of the old time “party”: Photograph Parties. From Pittsburgh Dispatch of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on June 1, 1890. Listing of popular social parties: yachting parties, driving, riding, shooting, and even theater parties. I imagine sleighing parties occurred too.
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The Photograph Party
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Vermont Chronicle of Bellows Falls, Vermont on March 21, 1890.
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Good news! Photograph parties are appropriate, even during lent.
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“Photograph Parties are one of the permissible Lenten diversions.” From The Harrisburg Telegraph of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on February 24, 1890.
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Children’s Photograph Parties
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A Photograph Party held for a child and his friends. Announced in Grant County Witness of Platteville, Wisconsin on May 8, 1895.
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Photographs: Guessing Games
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In brief, the guessing game progresses thus:
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How the Guessing Game is Played. From The Wilmington Morning Star of Wilmington, North Carolina on May 20, 1894.
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Pairing Off Through Pictures at Photograph Party
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Social gatherings in the Victorian-era United States often included events specific to marriageable young men and women. The Congregational church gave a “Photograph party” wherein gentlemen drew a portrait from a basket, thereby “selecting” a partner for the evening. “A failure to recognize the original,” as in the young woman’s identity, “imposed a fine.” I wonder what the fine might have been?
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Couples pair off at party as men draw a photograph (of a female guest) and must guess her identity. Published in The Daily Republican of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on March 8, 1896.
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Prizes for Photograph Party Guessers
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Note these two examples that reference a costly, valuable prize to the winner who correctly identified the most baby pictures. True to Victorian-era American history, lots of shocking (to today’s readers) stuff happened. Like “booby prizes” at Photograph Parties. Both articles reference Miss Julia Stephen’s party where the “loser” took home a “Japanese baby” or “Jap baby.”
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Miss Julia Stephens gave an infant photograph party on Thursday evening in honor of her guest. Gold stud earrings were awarded to the best guesser (which baby picture belonged to whom), and “a queer Japanese baby” was consolation prize to the least acute observer. An embarrassing reminder of racial prejudice in 19th century United States. From The Springfield Democrat of Springfield, Missouri on July 29, 1894.
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Miss Julia Stephen’s party sounds delightful… (yet to today’s readers, the “Jap doll” booby prize is an uncomfortable reminder of racial prejudice in U.S. history.) From Springfield Leader and Press of Springfield, Missouri on July 28, 1894.
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Additional Entertainment at Photograph Parties
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A photograph party given by the young people of the Presbyterian church included a full musical program. The 1895 event was held in Fort Scott, Kansas.
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This party includes a musical program. From Fort Scott Daily Tribune and Fort Scott Daily Monitor of Fort Scott, Kansas. Dated November 18, 1895.
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Photography In and Out of Studio (including at-home photography!)
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Professional photographers couldn’t help but capitalize on the new fad of parties steeped in photographs. Advertisements such as the following illustrate the market and how late 19th-century photographers mobilized to meet the demand, both inside their studios and out. Hooray for at-home photography!
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Professional photographer advertises his mastery of the craft in Chattanooga, Tennessee on April 22, 1888.
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Professional photographer advertises photograph souvenirs for parties, balls, banquets, suppers, etc. A “flash-light” makes this interior photography possible. From St. Albans Daily Messenger of St. Albans, Vermont on February 18, 1895.
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An Old Bachelor’s Twist on Photograph Parties
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“An Old School Beau. Mr. Marie, of New York, and His Courtly Attentions.” A different twist on Photograph Parties where celebrated female guests are photographed in advance of the party, and the portraits admired at an evening gathering. From The Times of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on January 5, 1890.
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A New Occupation: Lady Amateur Photographers
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In the latter Victorian-era, amateur photography became hugely popular. And, no surprise, ladies loved it. Clubs formed exclusively for these women to gather, share their love of the art, swap stories, and improve their craft.
Notice the detailed description of the types of interior photography fashionable in the late 19th century (Boston).
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Photography Parties particularly for Lady Amateur Photographers. From The Inter Ocean of Chicago, Illinois on February 8, 1890.
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Don’t miss posts about Lady Lawyers, Lady Dentists, and Lady Doctors. So many women were FIRST in the 19th century. See FIRSTS in Female Education (19th century).
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Copyright © 2022 Kristin Holt LC
Victorian Photograph Parties
