1. We are unable to provide a definitive answer as to whether or not Eddy was holding a copy of her own book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. It is quite possible that she had intentionally brought a copy with her when sitting for the photo. It is equally possible that the photographer, learning that his subject was an author, provided her with a prop; including key identifying objects in portraits was an artistic practice that long predated photography.
  2. Greta Bahnemann, “Format Highlights: Cabinet Cards,” https://mndigital.org/projects/primary-source-sets/format-highlights-cabinet-cards.
  3. Cabinet Card Photographs. https://www.collectorsweekly.com/photographs/cabinet-cards.
  4. Mattie Williams to Mary Baker Eddy, 6 January, 1885, IC589.60.018. https://mbepapers.org/?load=589.60.018.
  5. Silas J. Sawyer to Mary Baker Eddy, January 10, 1885, IC237aP2.38.001. https://mbepapers.org/?load=237AP2.38.001.
  6. Martha E. Sherman to Mary Baker Eddy, November 3, 1884, IC321.44.066. https://mbepapers.org/?load=321.44.066.
  7. Thomas Swartwout to Mary Baker Eddy, 7 April, 1885, IC578.59.020. https://mbepapers.org/?load=237AP2.38.001.
  8. Ellen Brown Linscott to Mary Baker Eddy, March 22, 1885, IC163A.27.022. https://mbepapers.org/?load=163A.27.022.
  9. Mary Baker Eddy to Ellen Brown Linscott, April 6, 1885, L10993.https://mbepapers.org/?load=L10993.