Absence/Presence: Scratched Out Negative Cabinet Card Obfuscating Figure lion soap dish Photos really don't do justice

Photos really don't do justice to this one

though it dates from the mid- to late 20th century

13 3/8 x 3 7/8 x 2 7/8” t and in beautifully much used condition

with hand-painted lit cigarette on top

holds its peace and meanly skulks away

Absence/Presence: Scratched Out Negative Cabinet Card Obfuscating Figure lion soap dish Photos really don't do justiceI've seen a number of old photos at this point with subjects cut out or scratched out or otherwise omitted, which are always interesting and invite the invention of a story but this cabinet card is just about my favorite I've ever seen, with the very committed scratching out of one of the six figures done on the negative before printing the positive. I love the intensive markmaking itself, and the way it first reads as if the very long hair of a woman