Portrait of a Finely Dressed Young African-American Man from Bakersfield, California, c. 1890s-early 1900s

Bakersfield: C.A. Nelson, 1890. Silver gelatin photograph measuring 5 ½ x 3 ⅞ inches on larger mount. Heavy wear to mount, some staining to margin of photograph, wear and creases and a closed tear to mat, fair to good overall. An incredible image of a young African-American man, finely dressed, taken by the photographer C.A. Nelson around the turn of the century. No identification, though someone has written “Romeo” on the verso. A remarkable and uncommon early portrait, unfortunately not in the best shape.