Curious c. 1870s Baby Portrait with (Hidden Mother’s?) Hand, T.S. Estabrook, Brooklyn Ferrotype  chart The rectangular base features a

The rectangular base features a round platform for a candle

In great shape

but whoever it was certainly knew what they were doing

especially the smiling baby in crib with rattle in hand in this one

) when not pushing it around

Curious c. 1870s Baby Portrait with (Hidden Mother’s?) Hand, T.S. Estabrook, Brooklyn Ferrotype  chart The rectangular base features aI keep an eye out for hidden mother portraits antique photos in which the mother of a young child is present, unusually in order to prop up or comfort the child, but either veiled (often in the most wonderfully absurd ways) or only partially in the frame. Here I assume it is the mother's hand and arm at upper left, clutching what appear to be a few flowers and I'n not sure what all. On the other hand, this child does not look especially full of life,