Pair of Identified Victorian Cased Portraits | George Bascom & Clara Holt Kimball | Circa 1855 – 1865
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Pair of Identified Victorian Cased Portraits | George Bascom & Clara Holt Kimball | Circa 1855 – 1865
Description
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Historical Context & Origin
Region: New England, United States — likely Massachusetts and New Hampshire
Material: Early photographic images under glass, gilt brass mats and preservers, velvet lining, molded thermoplastic Union cases
Period: Mid-19th Century, circa 1855–1865
Description
An exceptional pair of identified mid-19th-century American photographic portraits, each preserved within an ornate hinged Union case and accompanied by an early handwritten identification label.
The first portrait depicts a bearded gentleman formally dressed in a dark coat, waistcoat, white shirt, and bow tie. Beneath the opposite purple velvet panel is a period handwritten label reading “George Bascom.” The photograph is framed within an elaborate gilt brass oval mat surrounded by decorative repoussé-style ornament.
The second portrait depicts a young woman in formal dress, her hair arranged in long side curls and a central part characteristic of the mid-Victorian period. She holds a bouquet that has been delicately enhanced with small touches of red pigment, an especially attractive example of hand-colouring applied to early photography. A handwritten identification retained inside the case reads “Clara Holt Kimball (Mrs. Ormond)”.
Both photographs are housed in richly molded dark Union cases, a type of thermoplastic photographic case introduced in the United States during the 1850s and used for daguerreotypes, ambrotypes, and early tintypes through the 1860s. The exterior decoration is particularly elaborate, incorporating grape clusters, vines, flowers, scrollwork, geometric borders, and ornamental central medallions.
Importantly, research into the handwritten names appears to reveal a genuine family connection between the two sitters.
The George Bascom identified in the case is George Bascom of Holden, Massachusetts (1832–1912). Genealogical records document that George was born in Holden on May 24, 1832 and married Marietta Holt on February 28, 1865. Civil War-era records also identify a George Bascom of Holden as Fourth Lieutenant of Company B, Third Battalion of Rifles, known as the Holden Rifles, among the Massachusetts Minute Men who responded in April 1861. He was later recorded as commander of Grand Army of the Republic Post No. 77 in Holden.
The identification of Clara Holt Kimball is even more compelling. Genealogical sources record Clara Holt, daughter of Joab and Clarissa Holt, as the wife of Ormond Dutton Kimball of Manchester, New Hampshire, whom she married in 1875. Ormond Dutton Kimball was born in Manchester in 1838, worked as a job printer, and served during the Civil War in the Fifth U.S. Cavalry and First New Hampshire Heavy Artillery.
Historical Worcester County genealogy records place Marietta Holt and Clara Ann Holt within the same Holt family, while independent Bascom records establish Marietta Holt as the wife of George Bascom. Taken together, this provides a strong indication that the portraits depict George Bascom and his sister-in-law Clara Holt, later Clara Holt Kimball.
Features
- Pair of identified mid-19th-century American photographic portraits
- Original handwritten identification reading “George Bascom”
- Original handwritten identification reading “Clara Holt Kimball (Mrs. Ormond)”
- Likely connected members of the same Massachusetts Holt-Bascom family
- Clara portrait enhanced with original hand-coloured floral details
- Ornate gilt brass oval mats and decorative preservers
- Original purple and deep green patterned velvet case linings
- Molded dark thermoplastic Union cases
- Elaborate grapevine, floral, scroll, and medallion decoration
- Strong Massachusetts and New Hampshire genealogical associations
Cultural Significance
Cased photographs were among the most intimate personal possessions of mid-19th-century America. Before inexpensive paper photography became widespread, portraits such as these were carefully protected behind glass and carried or displayed within fitted cases, preserving the likenesses of family members for subsequent generations.
Union cases themselves represent an important development in American decorative arts and photographic history. Introduced in the early 1850s, these molded thermoplastic cases allowed highly elaborate relief designs to be produced around fragile photographic images. The survival of original sitter identifications greatly enhances the historical significance of this pair, transforming the photographs from anonymous Victorian portraits into potentially traceable members of a documented New England family.
Condition
Good antique condition consistent with approximately 160–170 years of age. The photographic surfaces exhibit age-related marks, scratches, fading, oxidation, and other surface characteristics visible in the photographs. The decorative gilt mats retain considerable original finish with areas of wear and tarnishing.
The velvet interiors show age-related fading, compression, discoloration, and wear, particularly the purple lining. The molded cases display scattered rubbing, abrasions, small losses, and edge wear consistent with use and age. The original handwritten identification labels remain present and legible. Clara's portrait retains visible hand-coloured red accents within the bouquet.
Dimensions (Approximate)
Each closed case:
Height: 3.7 in
Width: 2.6 in
Age (Approximate)
160–170 years old
Provenance
Formerly held in a private collection in Massachusetts.
Subsequently handled by White’s Auctions, Middleborough, Massachusetts. Established in 1993, White’s Auctions is an independent, privately owned Massachusetts auction house specializing in antiques, fine art, decorative arts, and historical material. The firm conducts catalogued estate and collection sales and has served collectors, dealers, galleries, and consignors for more than three decades.
Retained with early handwritten identification labels naming the sitters as George Bascom and Clara Holt Kimball (Mrs. Ormond).
Historical research suggests the sitters may be George Bascom of Holden, Massachusetts, and Clara Ann Holt, later wife of Ormond Dutton Kimball of Manchester, New Hampshire. If this identification is correct, George was married to Clara's sister Marietta Holt, making the two sitters brother- and sister-in-law.
Learn More
Learn about the ambrotype photographic process through The Museum of Modern Art
Browse our Collection of Victorian Artifacts & Historic Relics
Description
Historical Context & Origin
Region: New England, United States — likely Massachusetts and New Hampshire
Material: Early photographic images under glass, gilt brass mats and preservers, velvet lining, molded thermoplastic Union cases
Period: Mid-19th Century, circa 1855–1865
Description
An exceptional pair of identified mid-19th-century American photographic portraits, each preserved within an ornate hinged Union case and accompanied by an early handwritten identification label.
The first portrait depicts a bearded gentleman formally dressed in a dark coat, waistcoat, white shirt, and bow tie. Beneath the opposite purple velvet panel is a period handwritten label reading “George Bascom.” The photograph is framed within an elaborate gilt brass oval mat surrounded by decorative repoussé-style ornament.
The second portrait depicts a young woman in formal dress, her hair arranged in long side curls and a central part characteristic of the mid-Victorian period. She holds a bouquet that has been delicately enhanced with small touches of red pigment, an especially attractive example of hand-colouring applied to early photography. A handwritten identification retained inside the case reads “Clara Holt Kimball (Mrs. Ormond)”.
Both photographs are housed in richly molded dark Union cases, a type of thermoplastic photographic case introduced in the United States during the 1850s and used for daguerreotypes, ambrotypes, and early tintypes through the 1860s. The exterior decoration is particularly elaborate, incorporating grape clusters, vines, flowers, scrollwork, geometric borders, and ornamental central medallions.
Importantly, research into the handwritten names appears to reveal a genuine family connection between the two sitters.
The George Bascom identified in the case is George Bascom of Holden, Massachusetts (1832–1912). Genealogical records document that George was born in Holden on May 24, 1832 and married Marietta Holt on February 28, 1865. Civil War-era records also identify a George Bascom of Holden as Fourth Lieutenant of Company B, Third Battalion of Rifles, known as the Holden Rifles, among the Massachusetts Minute Men who responded in April 1861. He was later recorded as commander of Grand Army of the Republic Post No. 77 in Holden.
The identification of Clara Holt Kimball is even more compelling. Genealogical sources record Clara Holt, daughter of Joab and Clarissa Holt, as the wife of Ormond Dutton Kimball of Manchester, New Hampshire, whom she married in 1875. Ormond Dutton Kimball was born in Manchester in 1838, worked as a job printer, and served during the Civil War in the Fifth U.S. Cavalry and First New Hampshire Heavy Artillery.
Historical Worcester County genealogy records place Marietta Holt and Clara Ann Holt within the same Holt family, while independent Bascom records establish Marietta Holt as the wife of George Bascom. Taken together, this provides a strong indication that the portraits depict George Bascom and his sister-in-law Clara Holt, later Clara Holt Kimball.
Features
- Pair of identified mid-19th-century American photographic portraits
- Original handwritten identification reading “George Bascom”
- Original handwritten identification reading “Clara Holt Kimball (Mrs. Ormond)”
- Likely connected members of the same Massachusetts Holt-Bascom family
- Clara portrait enhanced with original hand-coloured floral details
- Ornate gilt brass oval mats and decorative preservers
- Original purple and deep green patterned velvet case linings
- Molded dark thermoplastic Union cases
- Elaborate grapevine, floral, scroll, and medallion decoration
- Strong Massachusetts and New Hampshire genealogical associations
Cultural Significance
Cased photographs were among the most intimate personal possessions of mid-19th-century America. Before inexpensive paper photography became widespread, portraits such as these were carefully protected behind glass and carried or displayed within fitted cases, preserving the likenesses of family members for subsequent generations.
Union cases themselves represent an important development in American decorative arts and photographic history. Introduced in the early 1850s, these molded thermoplastic cases allowed highly elaborate relief designs to be produced around fragile photographic images. The survival of original sitter identifications greatly enhances the historical significance of this pair, transforming the photographs from anonymous Victorian portraits into potentially traceable members of a documented New England family.
Condition
Good antique condition consistent with approximately 160–170 years of age. The photographic surfaces exhibit age-related marks, scratches, fading, oxidation, and other surface characteristics visible in the photographs. The decorative gilt mats retain considerable original finish with areas of wear and tarnishing.
The velvet interiors show age-related fading, compression, discoloration, and wear, particularly the purple lining. The molded cases display scattered rubbing, abrasions, small losses, and edge wear consistent with use and age. The original handwritten identification labels remain present and legible. Clara's portrait retains visible hand-coloured red accents within the bouquet.
Dimensions (Approximate)
Each closed case:
Height: 3.7 in
Width: 2.6 in
Age (Approximate)
160–170 years old
Provenance
Formerly held in a private collection in Massachusetts.
Subsequently handled by White’s Auctions, Middleborough, Massachusetts. Established in 1993, White’s Auctions is an independent, privately owned Massachusetts auction house specializing in antiques, fine art, decorative arts, and historical material. The firm conducts catalogued estate and collection sales and has served collectors, dealers, galleries, and consignors for more than three decades.
Retained with early handwritten identification labels naming the sitters as George Bascom and Clara Holt Kimball (Mrs. Ormond).
Historical research suggests the sitters may be George Bascom of Holden, Massachusetts, and Clara Ann Holt, later wife of Ormond Dutton Kimball of Manchester, New Hampshire. If this identification is correct, George was married to Clara's sister Marietta Holt, making the two sitters brother- and sister-in-law.
Learn More
Learn about the ambrotype photographic process through The Museum of Modern Art
Browse our Collection of Victorian Artifacts & Historic Relics
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