cdv photo of a toy

[pattifan2001]

any idea why someone would photo a toy on a chair and not include a person?

[coast_of_maine_antiques]

Testing the exposure settings. Back then, long exposures were required and figuring out how long for the lighting you used was critical.

[sonomabarn67]

Might be something to do with a patent. As SY Richards had two addresses, he may have had a business as an inventor. The swing looks like a patent model. Did you research what he did for a living?