Cyanotype was an early process for printing photographs from negatives. Compared with other processes of the time, it was fast, simple and didn't require dangerous chemicals. The only drawback was that the images were blue. It was invented by Sir John Herschel in 1842, although it wasn't available commercially as a photographic medium until after his death in 1871. Herschel also invented the blueprint, which used the same process to copy architectural drawings.

Cabinet stereoviews like this one became possible in the 1870s when manufacturers of card stock introduced taller 4 × 7 in. (102 × 178 mm) cards.

The town of Argentine, Kansas was founded in 1880 with the introduction of a silver smelting operation. By 1882, lots, perhaps not unlike this one, were selling for $125-300. The smelter business failed in 1890. The Quality Hill neighborhood, which still exists (now part of Kansas City), was apparently founded around 1860.