1878 Tragic Syracuse Death Fred Crosby Framed Cabinet Card Maine Governor’s Son For Sale

Rare original framed cabinet-card portrait of Frederick “Fred” Crosby (c. 1844–1878), son of former Maine governor William George Crosby.The cabinet card was produced by the Photographic Studio of H. L. Kilgore in Belfast, Maine. Its ornate studio imprint appears on the reverse with the date 1878—the year of Crosby’s death.Crosby died in Syracuse, New York, on August 23, 1878, following a fall from a hotel window. Contemporary accounts identify him as a traveling agent for the Globe Nail Company of Boston and report that he had previously been in business in Southbridge, Massachusetts.His identity is supported by period newspaper clippings discovered with the photograph and by independently located contemporary newspaper records.The cabinet card is presented under glass in its antique framed presentation with a gold-lined mat. The combination of a positively identified sitter, Belfast photographer, political-family connection and documented 1878 history makes this a particularly compelling example of 19th-century American photography.CONDITION:The cabinet card exhibits age-related toning, fading and surface wear but retains a clear and striking portrait. The antique frame, mat and backing show substantial age, wear and deterioration. Please examine all photographs carefully for the exact condition.IMPORTANT: This sale includes the framed cabinet card only. The newspaper clippings shown in the research photographs are retained by the seller and are not included.You will receive the original framed cabinet card shown in the photographs.