Between the Covers

Two very rare portrait photographs taken by James Conway Farley, now recognized as America’s first prominent African-American photographer, taken at his studio in Richmond, Virginia. Both are cabinet cards in fine condition (measuring 3.25" x 5”), with blind stamped borders and the studio name printed in maroon: “Jefferson Art Gallery, 523 Broad Street, Richmond, Va.” Each portrait is of the same unidentified young woman wearing a different fashionable dress and hat. She appears to be in her twenties, and possibly of mixed race. Both photographs were likely taken not long after Farley opened his studio, “The Jefferson” in 1895. A historically important, scarce survival.

Item #394128