Children Outside a Clapboard Building — J. S. Lefavour Stereoview

A large group of children fills the yard beside a tall clapboard building. Boys stand in a long line at the left; girls stand or sit across the right, their aprons and patterned dresses clearly distinguishable. Other figures look out from windows on two levels. A neighboring house has shuttered windows and a framed entrance, while a cut wooden post occupies the near foreground.

The arrangement suggests a school group, but the card does not identify the children or the building. Both side margins carry the heading “NEW ENGLAND VIEWS.” This establishes the series, not a particular town or site; the Salem address on the reverse belongs to the photographer and does not securely locate the scene.

The reverse bears the advertisement of “J. S. Lefavour, Salem, Mass.,” described as a “Parlor and Landscape Artist.” Lefavour gives his residence as No. 66 Federal Street and promotes cabinet and stereoscopic photographs made at home, “with all the Social Surroundings.” The advertisement also offers exterior work, photographs of funeral flowers, and copying and finishing in India ink or colors.

A pencil word along the reverse margin appears to read “Curtis,” though its purpose is unclear; several numerical pencil notes are also present. None provides a secure title or date. The two arched-top photographs remain intact on their yellow, round-cornered mount, and the card is sound without visible cracks or substantial losses.