I certainly agree that trying to identify people in 125-year-old photos by
their expressions alone is insufficient.  And my reply could be read as
though that's what I was doing.  Sorry.

That said, to me the girl in front looks like Clara.  Clara had a slightly
receding chin and very intense, distinctive eyes.  I see both features in
that girl.  And, she looks (to me) younger than the other girl. Clara
resembled her mother more when she was young.

And, of course, even if we can positively identify the front girl, the
identity of the other girl is not then settled.  She could be a friend, or a
servant, or a local girl.  But the girl in back sure does look like the
earliest picture we have of Sam Clemens, and somewhat like some other early
ones before he had the mustache.

On the other hand, in later life Clara looked more like her father.  So, as
I said, I could be full of it.

I appreciate your input.

Carl

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Twain Forum [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Kevin Mac
Donnell
Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2016 6:30 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Photo of Susie and Clara

The girl in the whiter dress, who is shown full length, looks like Susy. 
That would make the girl with the big tree growing out of her head Clara. 
Regardless of expressions I'd compare their faces to known photos of each.

Kevin
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Mac Donnell Rare Books
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-----Original Message-----
From: Carl J. Chimi
Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2016 4:29 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Photo of Susie and Clara

You're certainly right, Barbara. I've seen many photos reproduced in
reverse, or misidentified.  I didn't have this before me when I wrote the
original post, but the picture can be found in Steve Courtney's delightful
book "'The Loveliest House That Ever Was'" on page 119.  I've also seen it
in one other book I've read within the last decade, but I can't remember
which book.

The girl I think is Clara has a slightly mischievous look about her that I
associate with young Clara's personality.  The other girl has a sadness in
her eyes that I associate with Susie, especially around the time of her Bryn
Mawr days; she also bears a resemblance to pictures of the young Sam
Clemens.

Carl

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Twain Forum [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Barbara
Schmidt
Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2016 4:55 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Photo of Susie and Clara

Carl,

I do not  have that photo in front of me at the moment, but from your
description, I seem to recall it was taken at Quarry Farm.  I think
sometimes part of the confusion in photo identification comes when photos
are reprinted from negatives/plates and are unintentionally "reversed" or
"flipped."  Without knowing who holds the original print or negative of this
photo, it may be difficult to correctly pin down the person on the left or
right in the frame and then determine if subsequent reprintings are
identified correctly.

Barb