Widow's weeds

39.1Woman
Originally uploaded by Lantern House.

I love these old photographs as both an insight into history, my own family, and for literature. "Widow's weeds" and rustling skirts are often phrases you read, but after looking at this photograph you understand it. Can you imagine washing and pressing those yards and yards of skirt by hand?

Notice, too, the photographer's studio setup, with a backdrop, chair, and table. This is one of the less elaborate backdrops I've seen. There are lots more on Flickr now, as I've spent most of the morning uploading.