A man in a dark formal suit stands in three-quarter profile reading a copy of the Aurora Daily News, photographed as an albumen CDV by Pratt Artist, dating to 1879 based on the inscribed greeting visible within the composition. The staged scene incorporates two figures and hand-lettered props, making it a deliberately composed New Year's greeting card in photographic form rather than a conventional portrait. The image rests on a plain card stock mount with a gilt-edged reverse.

The standing man holds the newspaper open with both hands, his white collar and dark coat sharply rendered against the neutral studio backdrop. Partially emerging from behind a draped curtain at left, a young Black child peers forward while holding a torn piece of paper inscribed in flowing script reading "Happy New Year 1879." A prop umbrella or cane is faintly visible at the far right edge of the frame.

The Aurora Daily News was published in Aurora, Illinois, placing this image firmly in that city's photographic community. The card's design as a seasonal greeting, combining a local newspaper masthead with a New Year's salutation, suggests it may have been produced as a promotional or commemorative piece.

The reverse bears penciled notations "41059" and "8183" in a later hand. No photographer's address or studio imprint appears on the reverse beyond the front imprint reading "Pratt Artist."

From the collection of James Lee Soffer