Two young men with aprons and tools
By: usermattw
Tags: antiques, CDV, photography, vintage photography
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Here’s a little carte de visite I just got. I’m not sure why, but I’ve always loved photos of that era showing people in a largely empty studio basically standing there, framed in full length. And this one is probably my first occupational photo of that type. But what is their occupation? The aprons resemble those worn by, say, blacksmiths, and I’m guessing the tool on the right is a file. But I’m stumped by the tool on the left. Any suggestions? (I’m sure it will seem obvious once I find out.) Also, there’s no information on the photo about who they are, or the name or location of the photographer. Still, I’m happy with it.
Pics of Then 
My guess is that the one on the left is some version of a flint or fire striker, to ignite a welding torch. Or maybe it’s a device used in blacksmithing. Or maybe used in making glass objects. In any case, used to start a fire.
Whilst I have your attention: I guess the lady in the picture with Fats Domino is his mother, or an older female relative. Fats looks awfully young in the picture. So it may be an accurate guess.
That’s a good idea about a flint. I was thinking it might be some sort of torch or other flame-related gadget, but couldn’t find anything quite like it online.
And I agree the woman with Fats Domino appears older than he does here. Her pose, with a relaxed smile and her arm around him, looks more like somebody familiar with him than a fan. An older relative is a good idea, and I was thinking it might be another singer or musician sharing a bill with him wherever this picture was taken. But I really don’t know.
My first guess (after the initial assumption of blacksmith) was that they could be farriers, which is blacksmith-adjacent.
Yes, agreed. I was thinking of farriers, too, though I’m still stumped as to what the tool on the left is.
Leonard suggested that it could be a “float” to smooth the sharp edges of horses’ teeth. Basically it is a rasp for horses’ teeth. Rasp heads of different coarseness could be put in the square part at the far end. The rasp on the right would be used for the horses’ hooves. He assumes they are farriers. Although veterinarians usually float horses’ teeth today, blacksmiths might have done it in the past. If not a float, Leonard has no idea what the tool is.
Oh, interesting idea! Looking online, I’m not finding perfect matches, but there are certainly similarities. That idea wouldn’t have occurred to me, so please thank Leonard for the suggestion.
Will do. I also looked online and did not find perfect matches. But I assume this picture is much older than most of the floats online.
Thanks. Yes, I’m guessing this picture is from the 1860s, maybe 1870s, though as always, I’m happy to hear others’ opinions.