What did the original players of these songs look like? Here’s a sample from C.F. Martin & His Guitars, 1796-1873:
Carte-de-visite, ca. 1860. This striking photograph shows the kind of professional performer to whom Martin often sold instruments. Inside his traveling trunk, against which leans his guitar, are a violin and sheet music. His traveling clothes hang behind him.
My goodness. Our friend Mr. Pique shows up in this book, too, as a Philadelphia guitar enthusiast:
http://books.google.com/books?id=Xn13ljl5WtIC&pg=RA1-PA82&lpg=RA1-PA82&dq=pique+guitar+edward&source=web&ots=xwBWrm06r0&sig=g1MRc5sXpwubIvTNwtvAvqa0wKU&hl=en#PRA1-PA82,M1