This portrait is the first one on the blog from New Zealand. (There isn’t one yet from Australia.) The three chaps aren’t identified, unfortunately. The cabinet card was made at the studio of Wrigglesworth & Binns in Wellington. James Dacie Wrigglesworth (1836-1906) and Frederick Charles Binns (1844-1915) also maintained studios in Christchurch and Dunedin.
I don’t have any brilliant insights to make about this portrait, but I like the tweed suit worn by the fellow standing in back. Also, the painted backdrop is interesting. Presumably the plants represent species native to New Zealand.
I can’t help wondering what prompted the photo. Were they about to embark on a journey or was the photo meant to commemorate a special event? The walking sticks are interesting. I like the painted background. I enjoyed reading about Wrigglesworth & Binns.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I was struck by the walking sticks as well.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m guessing they had just finished secondary school and were headed in different directions–university, business, or a military career–and they wanted a photo to commemorate their time together. If they were ambitious, they would have traveled to Europe, and probably also to India or Africa. It’s fun to speculate! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like the little half-smile on the tweedy fellow.
LikeLiked by 4 people
It looks like he’s trying not to smile but whatever he is thinking is too good to stop thinking about 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Little do we know what’s going on in that head of his! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I think it would be fun to be known as “the tweedy fellow.”
LikeLiked by 3 people
😀
LikeLike
The Tweedy Fellow looks like trouble to me. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
😆
LikeLike
I think that the picture was not taken at a studio. I say this because of the hint of furniture which appears to be what has been called tramp furniture. Sturdy furniture made from natural wood, bark on, and shellacked upon completion. To me, this suggests a picture taken outside, perhaps at a fair, and the canes maybe a prop.
LikeLike
You could be right about the location, especially because we can’t see the floor, which might have been dirt at a fair. Wooden furniture with bark on it was very popular in gardens in the late Victorian period, and photographers often had it in their studios as an option. They didn’t call it “tramp” in those days, but I can’t remember what it was called (if I ever knew). In any case, your theory may well be correct.
LikeLike
They’re much younger than they appear at first. I was especially interested to see how far the photographers influence extended — to Christchurch and Dunedin as well as in Wellington. I read that Binns was in charge of the Christchurch studio. All I can do is speculate on the young men, of course, but I don’t think those walking sticks are props. They fit with the pocket squares and watch chains.
This one was especially fun to see, since I have visitors to my own blog from Christchurch and Dunedin. That makes this cabinet card seem not so far away at all.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you enjoyed this one! (I agree about the walking sticks.) Having never visited that part of the world, my only knowledge of New Zealand comes from the pretty landscape pictures I’ve seen over the years. Lots and lots of pretty pictures! Speaking of which, the Museum of New Zealand has 115 photos by Wrigglesworth & Binns in their collection. I probably should have included a link in the post, but I’ll add it here for anyone who might be interested: https://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/agent/4304
LikeLike
It’s a great photograph, so much to ponder.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Fraggle! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very nice photograph. I like the tweed, too. Something that struck me was not in the portrait but in the words. First, the name Wrigglesworth is pretty fun and would be a good last name for a character in a novel, but it is even more fun with the other “Ws” in the post: Willis St., and Wellington. It’s all so wonderfully “Double yoo-ee.” 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha, yes, Wrigglesworth is quite a mouthful! And I hadn’t noticed just how “double you-ee” the whole thing was. 😉 Wrigglesworth would be an excellent name for a small dog, except that it’s too long, and would probably be shortened to “Wrigs.” Thanks for making me smile, Lemony! 🙂
LikeLike
The tweedy fellow is getting all the attention. I think that’s what he’s smiling about. ‘Look at me’, he seems to say ‘aren’t I a handsome devil’!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Quite possibly, haha!
LikeLike
I like to imagine they’re brothers or brothers with friend, and I especially noticed the pinkie rings on the front left gentleman 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d forgotten about the pinkie rings! Do men ever wear them today? I can’t remember ever seeing one on a man.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Classic. Wonderful portrait.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for visiting and commenting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the backing on this photo. I always love it when the photographer gives their info.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agreed! The backdrop has a nice three-dimensional quality. This photo has turned out to be one of the most popular on the blog. It has the second-highest number of “likes” at the moment (80).
LikeLiked by 1 person
When I look at old postcards or photos at antique stores or flea markets I always look at the back.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I LOVE the name Wrigglesworth and Binns…It sounds like an animated special about a snooty indoor cat and his best bud, an alley cat.
I LOVE the photo. They seem like guys with a sense of humor.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, that’s too funny … “Binns” as in trash bins…. You made me laugh! 😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
My work here is done. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person