This cabinet card features three sisters at play. The youngest is holding a stuffed horse, while the other two sisters are holding a doll and a book. On the floor stands another doll. The photographer was Alfred Schmidt of the Apollo Studio in Munich, Bavaria. Schmidt did an excellent job of capturing the girls in a quite natural pose of play. (SOLD)
THREE SISTERS AND THEIR TOYS IN MUNICH, BAVARIA
MAN AND TWO WOMEN POSE ON BOARD SHIP IN BLACKPOOL, GREAT BRITAIN
This cabinet card of a man and two women posing aboard a ship, was photographed by D. Mitchell of Blackpool, Great Britain. The photographer, whose studio was located near a pier in the seaside city of Blackpool, utilized a relevant nautical theme. The backdrop is fantastic and the hanging rope held by the gentleman, and the ropes in front of the ladies, are a “great touch”. This is one of the finest uses of background scenery and props that can be found in the entire cabinet card gallery. The South Pier was originally named the Victoria Pier. The pier opened in 1893 and served vacation travelers to Blackpool. The subjects of this cabinet card image are likely tourists on holiday.
PLAIDS, RUFFLES, AND BOWS: FOUR VERY CUTE KIDS
This photographic portrait captures four very cute kids dressed in adorable clothing. Plaids, ruffles and bows abound. The image is crystal clear. The photographer is O. E. Flaten who at the time of the photograph, had studios in Moorehead and Halstad, Minnesota; as well as in Gardner, North Dakota. Research reveals that Ole E. Flaten (1854 or 1865- 1933) was born in Vanders, Norway and emigrated to the United States. He operated studios in Northfield, Moorehead, and Halstad, Minnesota. He worked as a photographer from the 1870’s through the 1920’s, retiring in 1930. Click on the category of “Photographer: Flaten” to see another photograph from his studio.
CHILDREN POSE FOR DUTCH PHOTOGRAPHER IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
This Cabinet Card features two young children posing for their photograph at the studio of H. R. Koopman, in Roseland, Illinois. The photographer is Henry Ralph Koopman II and his father emigrated from Holland and was a well known minister in the community. The photographers brother, George, joined him in the photography studio business. The Chicago Historical Society’s magazine published an article about Koopman; “The Life and Times of a Neighborhood Photographer”. Roseland is a neighborhood located in the south side of Chicago.
FASHIONABLE FAMILY POSES FOR THEIR PORTRAIT IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
This photograph captures a very fashionable family sitting for their portrait at the studio of William H. Schmidt in Chicago, Illinois. Note the two older children’s belts and bow ties.
LITTLE BOY FOUND IN SEASHELL IN PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLANIA
This cabinet card is a portrait of a little boy sitting quite comfortably in a sea shell chair. He appears disinterested in his surroundings at the Lies’s Studio in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He looks cute in his polka dot bow tie and fancy clothing. The seashell chair prop in this photograph is very unusual; in fact, such a chair has not come to the attention of the Cabinet Card Gallery ever before. The photographer, George Lies, deserves credit for his creativity.
GEORGIE COOPER: CHILD ACTRESS PLAYING “LITTLE LORD FAUNTLEROY”
Georgie Cooper (1882-1968) appears in this cabinet card by Rose & Company of Denver, Colorado. Georgie Cooper was born in Battle Creek, Michigan. Her mother was an actress, Georgie Woodthorpe (1860-1927). Cooper started as a child actress and appeared as “Little Lord Fauntleroy” with her mother at the Burbank Theatre in Los Angeles, California. She later married actor, Landers Stevens and both were active appearing in films. She appeared in 47 films from 1928 through 1944. The photographer of this cabinet card is John K. Rose. He later took on a partner and started a studio named Rose & Hopkins. This partnership was dissolved in 1901. It is interesting to note that “Little Lord Fauntleroy” had much impact in cabinet card photography. In addition to the existence of a number of portraits of child actors portraying the character; many children’s attire and hairstyle in cabinet card images were based on the clothing and appearance of the “Little Lord Fauntleroy” character. “Little Lord Fauntleroy” was the first children’s novel written by English-American author Frances Hodgson Burnett. It was published in 1885. In regard to fashion, the classic Fauntleroy Suit was a velvet cut-away jacket and matching knee pants worn with a fancy blouse with large lace or ruffled collar. It became a major fad in formal fashion for American middle class children. Most commonly, boy between 3 and 8 years of age wore these suits and a minority of these children also wore ringlet curls. ADDENDUM : I have been informed that that this photograph was taken at a performance in Denver that occurred in November, 1889. The source reports that this information comes from an article appearing in the New York Clipper on 12/7/1889. (SOLD)
CIVIL WAR AERONAUT’S STUDIO PHOTOGRAPHS MAN WEARING BOW TIE IN PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLANIA
This cabinet card is a portrait of a well dressed gentleman sporting a bow tie. Cabinet card portraits of men with bow ties are not common place. The photographer is Paullin, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Further investigation is required, but this photographic studio may likely be the studio of William Paullin. W. F. Paullin (1812-1871) was an aeronaut who built his first balloon at the age of 21. He flew balloons in Philadelphia and other parts of the world including South America, Cuba, Haiti, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. During the civil war he was in the service of the balloon corps of the Army of the Potomac. His final ascension was under the command of General Joseph Hooker. After resigning from the Army, he became a photographer. This cabinet card was most likely produced after the death of Paullin. Perhaps a family member, or someone else continued the studio under the Paullin name. Further fact checking is needed.
HANDSOME MAN IN MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE
Meet Walter Burnham, who is posing for his portrait at the studio of Langley, in Manchester, New Hampshire. The studio was located at 780 Elm Street. Burnham has movie star looks and an interesting mustache which curls upward at each end. The mustache earns him a place in the Cabinet Card Gallery category of “Mustaches (Only the Best)”. Click on the category for other interesting or unusual mustaches.
TURN OF THE CENTURY TOUGH GUY
This cabinet card presents a well dressed man, build very solidly, and with an appearance of being someone that you would want on your side, if fisticuffs were to occur. In short, he looks like a tough guy. There is no identifying information available concerning the gentleman photographed, or the photographer. The gentleman’s mustache qualifies him to join the cabinet card gallery category of “Mustaches (Only the Best)”. Check out this category for some very interesting and creative facial hair styles.
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 