Johnston’s July 1901 article was devoted to the Allen sisters.29 In it, she praised their particular style, and declared their success unrivaled. The images that accompanied the piece, “A Crack with the Blacksmith,” “How-dy-do!,” “A Difficult Step,” “A Holbein Woman,” and “Calls in Cranford,” combine genre and art photographs. Frances and Mary Allen were pleased that their work had received national recognition, and “amused at the surprise of the neighbors in seeing us so honored.”30 Indeed, the Allen sisters were so unassuming that many Deerfield residents were probably incredulous over the accolades they had received.
Photographs courtesy of Memorial Hall Museum, Deerfield, MA.
