Kaiser Wilhelm II: The Last German Emperor and King of Prussia

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Wilhelm II (1859-1941) was the son of Crown Prince Frederick of Prussia and Victoria, daughter of Queen Victoria of England. He served a period of military service. In 1888 his father succeeded as Frederick III. He died shortly after and Wilhelm became Kaiser at age 29.  Within two years he forced the resignation of Otto von Bismarck. He greatly increased the strength of the German armed forces. Following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo in 1914, he greatly encouraged the Austrians against Serbia. This helped trigger World War I. When the war began he was excluded from military decisions by military commanders. In 1918 the German military collapsed. Kaiser Wilhem was forced to abdicate and went into exile in the Netherlands. This Cabinet Card portrait was photographed by G. Hansen of Hamburg, Germany.

Published in: on January 21, 2009 at 1:57 am  Leave a Comment  
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Ethnic Family Portrait in Unknown Location

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An ethnic family is posing for this Cabinet card photograph at an unknown studio and unknown location.  The  reverse of the card has the printed word “Souvenir” and perhaps thats further information in determining location. Note the wood base of the table which is being used for a prop in this photograph. Leave a comment if you have an idea or information pertaining to the subjects of the photograph or the Cabinet card itself.

Published in: on January 19, 2009 at 2:26 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Cute Little Girl with Big Lace Bonnet in Astoria

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This wide eyed cute little girl  is posing for her portrait at the Crow studio in Astoria. Note her her terrific curls. Research was not productive to determine whether this is the Astoria that is located in Queens, New York; or another Astoria, such as the one in Oregon. The only certainty is that the little girl is adorable as she dons her large lace bonnet for her sitting at the photographer.

Published in: on January 16, 2009 at 12:55 am  Comments (3)  
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Great Mustache in Plainfield, New Jersey

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This gentleman has a mustache worthy of adding to the esteemed category of  “mustaches (Only The Best” ) in this blog. He is posing for his portrait at the studio of Fisher & Monfort in Plainfield, New Jersey. Does anyone know anything about the pin he  is wearing on his lapel? Please leave a comment if you know about the pin or have any ideas to share. Plainfield was originally settled by Quakers, became a township in 1847, and the New Jersey legislature made it a city in 1869.  The city is located in Northeastern New Jersey. To view other photographs by Fisher and Monfort, click on the category “Photographer: Fisher and Monfort”.

Published in: on January 16, 2009 at 12:49 am  Comments (2)  
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Black Man with Spectacles in Hartford, Connecticut

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A young black man with spectacles is pictured in this Cabinet card. The image was photographed by John Orgill of Hartford, Connecticut. To see other photographs by Orgill, click on the category “Photograher: Orgill”

Published in: on January 15, 2009 at 1:29 am  Leave a Comment  
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Fireman in Chester, Pennslyvania

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This Cabinet card features a fireman in Chester, Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Franklin Company which was one of the five companies comprising the Chester Fire Department. The Franklin Company was established in 1867. At the time of this photograph all firemen except drivers and chiefs were volunteers. In 1904, two of the Chester fire companies were sent to the “Great Baltimore Fire” for a weeks duration. Chester is in southeastern Pennsylvania near Philadelphia. The photographer of this image is Jeanes of Chester, Pennsylvania.

Published in: on January 14, 2009 at 2:04 am  Leave a Comment  
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EFFIE ELLSLER: STAGE ACTRESS

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This is a Cabinet card portrait of stage actress Effie Ellsler (1855?-1942). She was born in Cleveland, Ohio where her parents were actors and ran a leading playhouse. She made her debut as a child and as an adult had opportunities to act with Edwin Booth, Lawrence Barrett and other celebrities during their Cleveland tours. Ellsler came to New York in 1880 and was a sensation in her first part in the title role of Hazel Kirke. She played that role for three years but than made a series of poor starring role choices in a number of melodramas. For most of the 1890’s she toured in road companies. She later played with Maxine Elliott in the Merchant of Venice.  Ellsler’s last hit was in the Bat (1920). This Cabinet card portrait is from the esteemed studio of Charles Ritzmann of  New York City.

Published in: on January 13, 2009 at 12:42 am  Comments (2)  
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Wounded Fencers from Jena, Germany

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This Cabinet card image captures a fencing team after what must have been a tough match with another fencing club. Note the wounds and the little dog at the feet of the fencer furthest to the right of the photograph. Perhaps a reader of this blog can help identify the team and the words on the board in the center of the photo. The reverse of the card has German writing which I can not translate. It may list the two teams which competed. “Alleurarria contra Aruriscia” is the best interpretation I can make of the handwriting. Once again, I hope a fencing authority can comment and identify the competing teams.  This is the second fencing Cabinet card that I have posted (look up the first under the category of sports). The photographer of both Cabinet cards is Friedr. Haack of Jena, Germany.

Published in: on January 12, 2009 at 12:11 am  Leave a Comment  
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Jewish Family in New York (Meet the Goldberg’s)

 
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M. Goldberg and his family are photographed by Newman’s Studio of Art Photography. The studio was located on Lexington Avenue in New York City. Perhaps the Goldberg’s were recent Jewish immigrants to America.

Published in: on January 10, 2009 at 1:08 am  Leave a Comment  
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Dapper Black Gentleman in Watertown, Wisconsin

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This Cabinet card is a photograph of a dapper young Black man posing in  Donner Brothers Studio in Watertown, Wisconsin. Watertown is located in southeastern Wisconsin and was settled in 1836. Around the time of this photograph, there was an influx of German immigrants into the town. These immigrants  started the first kindergarten in the United States soon after their arrival in Watertown.

Published in: on January 9, 2009 at 3:09 am  Comments (6)  
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