Atlantic City donkey ride, ca. 1900

Gelatin silver photograph, 6 x 8.25 inches, mounted to board, 10 x 11.75 inches. No date, ca. 1900. Fralinger's "Academy of Music" pavilion visible on the right; built by salt water taffy mogul Joseph Fralinger in 1898 and burnt down in 1902. Stamped "Wm. Johnson, Photographer, 22 S. Arkansas Ave., Atlantic City, N. J." VG- with wear to the mounting board, which is bent and splitting in 3 places, chipping along the edges. Photograph has light surface soil and wear, a small area of darkening on half of the face of the left figure. A recreation imported from British seaside towns, mule and donkey rides along the coastline were fashionable at the turn of the century; here in the company of three young men in their striped swimming costumes; women in full hats and dresses repose on the sand in the background.