THE CABINET CARD GALLERY

This vintage real photo postcard features an adorable little girl with curly locks of hair. She is holding a medium sized doll and looking at it adoringly. The child is well dressed and is flashing a wonderful facial expression. SOLD

This late 19th-century cabinet card captures a poised and pretty Victorian woman photographed by Hendee of Augusta, Maine. Her hair is styled in a dramatic and elaborate fashion—swept upward from the sides and back, then arranged into a tall, sculpted coil at the crown. This high coiffure, sometimes referred to as a “Pompadour roll” or “Gibson-style twist”, was a mark of sophistication and reflected the era’s fascination with height and structure in women’s hair. Such styles required skillful arrangement, often supported by hair rats or pads to achieve their distinctive shape. She wears a dark, high-necked dress richly detailed with ruffles, pleats, and rows of decorative buttons. The bodice is accented with a modest lace collar and beaded trim, adding refinement to her appearance. Her gaze is steady and calm, conveying quiet dignity. One hand rests gracefully on a tufted photographer’s studio chair, revealing a ring on her finger. The sepia tones of the image highlight the fine textures of her attire and the craftsmanship of her hairstyle. The Hendee photographic studio of Augusta, Maine; took this photograph. (SOLD)

This unique carte de visite portrait features an adorable little girl seated in a highly decorated chariot. In addition to the many flowers topping the buggy, the chariot is being drawn by a pair of stuffed birds. Dead birds were in fashion at the time this cdv photo was taken. They were particularly prominent as a decoration on women’s hats. This fad resulted in the near extinction of several species of birds. This cdv portrait photograph was taken by the Grundner & Abich studio, located in Berlin, Germany. J. W. Albert Grundner was a member of the Grundner dynasty of photographers active from 1854 through 1904. SOLD

This vintage real photo postcard features famous German dancer and actress, Gudrun Hildebrandt. She is dressed in stage costume and is pouring something into a large goblet. The IMDb lists her as appearing in two silent movies (1913,1914). She was very popular during her era as evidenced by the many postcard portraits she sat for. Her popularity did not continue to present times. There is little information about her readily available on the internet. After reaching adulthood, Gudrun performed in theatrical productions and danced to the music of Chopin. Her beauty contributed to her appearances on dozens of postcards. In 1920, Gudrun ran a dance school in Berlin. She also published articles in dance magazines. Gudrun was married to Benjamin Marx. He was an elected member of the Social Democratic Party and a successful businessman. In 1930, The Nazi Party had great success in electing officials to the Reichtag, Benjamin and Gudrun fled Germany to England. It is uncertain what happened next. This card was written in 1919 and was postmarked in Berlin. The postcard was published by EAS as part of a series (No.5). SOLD

 This beautiful late nineteenth-century cabinet card presents a wonderfully staged winter scene by Frank C. Weston of Bangor, Maine. The New York Public Library’s Photographers’ Identities Catalog lists Frank C. Weston as born in 1852 and records his studio locations in Bangor, including 2 Smith Block and, by 1905, 23 Hammond Street. Weston was a native of Maine who established himself as a photographer in the late 1870’s. His prices were “dictated by a spirit of moderation”, and he was the preferred photographer among the African American community of Bangor. This image shows two young girls posed in a snowy studio landscape, dressed in matching dark winter outfits with capes, buttoned dresses, dark stockings, boots, scarves, and fur-trimmed or heavy winter hats. They stand solemnly and formally, as children so often did in Victorian-era studio portraits, but the scene itself is wonderfully playful. Beside them is a small sled or sleigh, and on it is a small shaggy dog, likely posed as part of the winter tableau. The girls appear to be holding reins or cords attached to the sled, creating the charming illusion that the girls are pulling the sleigh through the snow. The painted studio backdrop includes bare winter trees, a snow-covered fence, and a dramatic wintry sky, giving the portrait a storybook quality. This is more than a simple child portrait; it is a carefully composed Victorian winter play scene. The combination of children, sled, dog, snow, and painted outdoor scenery gives the image strong appeal. It has the feel of a staged seasonal fantasy, perhaps intended to evoke Bangor’s cold Maine winters while also presenting the children in a refined and sentimental manner. Bangor itself was an important and prosperous Maine city during this period. In the nineteenth century it was deeply connected to the lumber trade, with Maine Memory Network noting that Bangor exported more lumber than any other port in the world in 1842, and that the Penobscot region saw another boom in the 1880s with the rise of the paper industry. That prosperity helps explain why a photographer such as Weston would have had a clientele for elaborate studio portraits such as this one. The reverse of the cabinet card is especially interesting. Rather than a plain blank back, it has a large, subtle, blind-embossed studio backstamp or advertising impression for Weston. It is somewhat faint but it gives the card an added layer of interest. This kind of subdued, impressed backmark is less visually bold than the ornate printed backs often seen on cabinet cards, but it is quite appealing and somewhat unusual. It also helps confirm the photographer and Bangor origin.  SOLD

This early 20th-century postcard presents a beautifully hand-colored depiction of the Touro Synagogue in New Orleans, Louisiana, a historic and architecturally stunning place of worship. The front of the postcard showcases the grand Byzantine Revival and Romanesque architecture of the synagogue, with its impressive arched windows, intricate detailing, and massive domed roof. The exterior is adorned with yellow and tan hues, accentuating the decorative brickwork and stone elements. The three arched entryways, flanked by ornamental lamps, create a striking entrance, while the large stained-glass window dominates the façade, casting light into the sacred space within. Surrounding the synagogue are elegant, early 20th-century residential buildings, adding to the historical ambiance of the scene. The neatly paved sidewalks and tree-lined street complete the picturesque setting, capturing a moment in time when this spiritual landmark stood as a beacon for the Jewish community of New Orleans. The reverse side of the postcard remains unused. The S.H. Kress & Co. imprint on the left edge indicates that this card was published by the well-known five-and-dime store chain, which often produced high-quality postcards featuring landmarks across the United States. The Touro Synagogue holds a significant place in American Jewish history. Its origins date back to the early 19th century, making it one of the oldest Jewish congregations in the United States. The congregation was formed through the merger of two older congregations—Nefutzot Yehudah (1845) and Shanarai-Chasset (1828)—both serving Jewish immigrants who had settled in the bustling port city of New Orleans. The building depicted in this postcard was constructed in 1908–1910, replacing an earlier structure. Designed by renowned architect Emile Weil, the synagogue exemplifies the grandeur of early 20th-century Jewish architecture, blending elements of Byzantine and Romanesque styles to create an awe-inspiring place of worship. The Touro Synagogue still stands today and remains an active center for Jewish worship in New Orleans. It continues to serve the Reform Jewish community, upholding its rich traditions while adapting to modern times. Over the years, it has undergone renovations to preserve its historic and architectural significance. This postcard is from circa 1911. SOLD

This vintage postcard features a photograph of the carnaval that was held in Nice, France in the year 1924. In the center of the photograph is a beautiful elaborate float that displays a mermaid and fishermen. The scene is packed with spectators there to celebrate the event. This unused postcard was published by Levy & Neurdein Reunis (Paris, France).  SOLD

Three beautiful children pose for their portrait at at the Lockwood studio in Menasha, Wisconsin. The children are most likely siblings and judging by their fashionable outfits, they appear to be from a well-to-do family.  SOLD