Man next to a white casket
F.A. Van Sant, Jay, New York
silver print
The print measures 5.7” by 7.7” (14.5 cm by 19.7 cm) and is mounted on a piece of dark brown Bristol board.
A wetstamp on the reverse of the mount identifies the photographer and location. The 1905 census shows Florence Allaire Van Sant living in Jay. She was the wife of Methodist minister Charles Van Sant and gave 'Music Teacher' as her profession. According to New York-based historian Sally E. Svenson, Florence worked as a photographer between 1898 and 1902 while supporting her tubercular husband.