Help ID old Eastman Kodak photo

[TruthBeTold]

Hi all. I'm both new here, and somewhat new to the world of photography. I'm not even sure I'm posting to the correct forum, so please bare with me.

I have a lot of old interesting photos I've been trying to ID (on my own) for some time now with not a lot of success. This is my first post, just to see how this site works and all. It's a start!

It's an old Eastman Kodak photo of six [black] men working on a railroad, mounted on a rigid Kodak backing. All four side edges have gold gilt. The back of the piece is Victorian-looking, with small flowers/roses. Also on the back is written in fountain pen "An electrically equipped railroad whereon runs both steam and electric cars." It's actually brown & white, vs. black/white. Measures 4.25" x 5.25".

I feel this is an historical photo, both in the world of photography and the history of railroads.

My questions are:
1) Does the brown make it sepia-tone?
2) What is the correct terminology for the type of photo and mount it's on?
3) Any idea of the year? 1890's?
4) Any idea of which railroad or location?
5) Why the fancy gold edges?
6) Could George Eastman have taken this photo himself?

Thank you. I look forward to any information or suggestions.

 

[mshchem]

Welcome

 

[Sirius Glass]

Welcome to Photrio and post often.

 

[MTGseattle]

Electrification of railroads didn't begin until after 1900. As to location, New York, Chicago, Cleveland, etc. All early switches to electric were a means of smoke abatement in urban areas.

 

[mshchem]

The mounts (paper board on which the photo is pasted) were a commodity item sold by Kodak. Print maybe not made by Kodak. Color could be sepia toner, or the process/paper.

 

[Kino]

Although it's unusual subject matter, I would say it's a very late Cabinet Card with an Albumen Paper Print.

 

[TruthBeTold]

The mounts (paper board on which the photo is pasted) were a commodity item sold by Kodak. Print maybe not made by Kodak. Color could be sepia toner, or the process/paper.

Thank you.

 

[TruthBeTold]

Electrification of railroads didn't begin until after 1900. As to location, New York, Chicago, Cleveland, etc. All early switches to electric were a means of smoke abatement in urban areas.

So it's not 1890's. Thank you.

 

[TruthBeTold]

Although it's unusual subject matter, I would say it's a very late Cabinet Card with an Albumen Paper Print.

Thanks Kino.