Composite studio portrait cabinet card of Alamo survivor Madam Candelaria. San Antonio, Texas: Miss. M. Borel, ca. late 1880s-early 1890s. Photographer's purple imprint to mount recto: Period inscription and adhered newspaper clipping identifying subject to mount verso. 

A fascinating Texas historical cabinet card capturing the elderly Andrea Castañón de Candelaria (ca. 1785–1899), popularly known as "Madam Candelaria," an iconic figure in Alamo lore. The portrait depicts the centenarian seated in a high-backed wooden chair with eyes closed or failing, attired in a dark shawl with a large satin bow at her throat and a floral lace cap. Set directly into the composite photograph below her portrait is an oval vignette depicting the Alamo mission church, captioned in the negative: "San Antonio / 'The Alamo' / Built 17--".

Andrea Castañón de Candelaria claimed to have entered the Alamo alongside Jim Bowie to serve as his nurse during the historic 1836 siege, stating she was inside the compound when Mexican forces under Gen. Santa Anna overran the garrison on 6 March 1836. While her presence at the battle was debated by contemporary historians, she became a revered living legend in late-19th-century San Antonio, receiving a state pension from the Texas Legislature in 1891 and regaling tourists and historians with firsthand accounts of the siege until her death at well over a century old.

Miss. M. Borel was a pioneer female photographer operating out of a studio at 1307 West Commerce St. in San Antonio, producing specialized portraiture and historical composites during the late 19th century. Surviving examples of her work are scarce. 

[The Alamo, Battle of the Alamo, Madam Candelaria, Andrea Castanon Candelaria, Jim Bowie, Siege of the Alamo, Texas Revolution, San Antonio Texas, Texas History, Centenarians, Female Photographers, American West] [Photography, Early Photography, Historic Photography, Cabinet Cards, Albumen Photographs, Miss M. Borel, Texas Photographers, Composite Photography] [Women, Women’s History, Female Photographers]

Very good condition overall with clear detail in both the portrait and inset Alamo vignette. The deckled-edge card mount remains flat and solid, displaying faint age toning, a few minor spots of foxing along the left margin, and slight handling wear.