The Selsor-Skaggs Family Mystery Photos

or their wedding day, brides' gowns are long and flowing, but in a burst of creativity by her photographer, the one worn by our bride in #19 overflows even the confines of its elongated oval matte. Albeit elongated, this matte style with its concentric ovals and vertically symmetrical ornaments of crossed branches, is the same as #17 on our Ovals page. Note the heavy vertical lines embroidered on our bride's dress, as well as the six layers of ruffles.

From an era long before instant photography, the presentation details of #20 remind us that at the turn of the 20th century having a photograph taken was a special occasion. In addition to a filigree design embossed upon the satin background shown, this photo also includes a front cover (entitled "A Portrait"), a back cover and a tissue paper lining to protect the image. Robert says to note the French cuffs.

Noted Washington, D.C. photographer Charles M. Bell's studio, which operated from 1873-1909, took #21. Of much speculation is the pin on our subject's lapel. We didn't include a close-up view because even under high magnification nothing appears truly distinct, but Robert's father believes it to be a brass pin with a cloisonné center. Robert doesn't think men in general (then or now) wear an item in their lapel unless it's a statement, but what sort of a statement would someone who presumably lives in our nation's capital want to make? As this is the only one of the mystery photos we know not taken inside Ohio or Kentucky, Capi also wonders what that might imply for the identity of our subject.