I have looked at lots of nineteenth century portrait photographs, but have never paid much attention to the backdrops used by most photographers during this era. Apparently, this is a common oversight. Photographers were given awards at exhibitions for backdrops, props and accessories. They had become so popular that they became a part of every
Several years ago while researching Appalachian rustic for a lecture and exhibition at the Asheville Art Museum I came across two intriguing photos in the NC Collection. They are from the Caldwell collection of glass plate negatives given to the library in 1944. John D. Caldwell came to Asheville in 1903 to take the position