Stereograph

Description

This group comprised of eleven Shaker Sisters, four young girls, and nine Shaker Brothers, three of whom may still be in the children's order, is posed at the north door of the back of the Church Family's new Dwelling (1876). Although published on a card that has the name, "McDonnald & Sterry, Photographers, Albany, N. Y.," the image was created by A. J. Alden in Pittsfield, Massachusetts in 1879. From the Berkshire County Eagle we have the following: "The Shakers are being photographed by Alden. He has made 25 or more negatives of groups, buildings and scenery in Lebanon, and the Shakers are to sell stereoscopic views to the hundreds who visit their settlements." [BCE. 51(August 28, 1879): [2], and "Alden's Shaker views which are for sale at Nugent's newsroom, show groups of brethren and sisters in the quaint costumes and they will be interesting additions to stereoscopic collections. One group has Elder Evans in the center with leading members of the fraternity around him. [BCE. 51(September 11, 1879): [2]. While similar to 1950.4026.1, 1950.4027.1, and 1950.4377.1, and 1962.13954.1,many of the Shakers are different on the two views. The stereographic pair on this card is printed on a single piece of paper. This card was marketed by McDonnald & Sterry, Albany, N. Y. Either McDonnald & Sterry acquired the image from Alden legally or illegally. Note: The letterpress printed title and photographers name is printed upside down on this card showing that in this case, at least, photographs were mounted on the cards prior to the printing of the titles. For a copy of the same image published by A. J. Alden, see 1950.4152.1.