Stunning c. 1880s-90s Shoe Makers Occupational Mounted Albumen Photo, Photographer AE Alden, Boston carved toy gun telling us that it was

telling us that it was her father that drew this (which I've confirmed through research

The tabs on reverse extend about 1" deep

which does show some surface wear

I can't help but think of it as a metaphor for plutocracy

I believe it is likely masonic

Stunning c. 1880s-90s Shoe Makers Occupational Mounted Albumen Photo, Photographer AE Alden, Boston carved toy gun telling us that it wasI love an old occupational photo nothing like pride in profession on full display but have seen enough that it takes a really great one to stop me, which I think this one is. (See details.) An incredible array of faces, for sure (what a cast of characters!) but this gang of shoemakers went full out to showcase their labors for this photograph, holding a variety of shoe forms and staining brushes of and wearing aprons so stained I thought at first