Interior of the Hermit’s House, Quidnet, Nantucket, Massachusetts — C. H. Shute

A long-bearded man in a cap sits in a cushioned wooden armchair beside a small stove and brick hearth, with reading material across his lap. Pans, strainers, baskets, cords, and papers fill the wall behind him. More papers are stacked beside the chair, while a basket occupies the floor at the left.

The printed caption identifies the scene as “No. 321. Intr. of the Hermit’s House. Quidnet. Nantucket.” This locates the interior at Quidnet on Nantucket, Massachusetts. The seated man is not named on either side of the card, and the caption alone does not establish his identity.

The two photographic views are mounted side by side on yellow card. A vertical notice records an 1875 copyright by C. H. Shute & Son; the reverse explicitly credits the Edgartown firm with both photography and publication. Its advertisement lists Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket views, together with “A Whaling Voyage,” offered wholesale and retail. This is a general publisher’s advertisement rather than a numbered checklist. The printed year documents the copyright, not necessarily the date of exposure.

The card measures 6.95 × 3.46 inches (176.5 × 87.9 mm), as supplied. There is localized loss of the yellow surface paper along the lower right mount edge, partly affecting the end of the vertical imprint. The photographs are otherwise clean and the card appears sound.