A pretty woman poses for her portrait at the studio of Van Loo, in Toledo, Ohio. The woman possesses a beauty and a poise that may indicate that she is a theatrical actress. She is dressed in frills and has an elaborate and interesting hat. Van Loo’s studio was located at 183 Summit Street, in Toledo. William F. Van Loo (1856-1913) was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and his family moved to Toledo in 1864. He left school at age 14 and worked as a salesman. He later went to work for a sign and landscape company, Yost Brothers. After learning sketching and drawing he studied portraiture with Professor Thompson of the Philadelphia Art School. He began his photography career in 1873, He trained in Chicago, Illinois; and in 1876 he he went to Toledo and purchased a failed photography studio which he made very successful. In 1882 his gallery averaged 400 prints daily; it was the largest studio in Toledo. In 1888 he formed Van Loo and Trost, with photographer Frederick J. Trost. Van Loo was also very active in the Toledo Masons.
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 
is there any rittin paper work for the time period of 1888 when Vann Loo and trost started there business.
I don’t know the answer to your question but maybe the Toledo History Museum can be of assistance. You can reach them at (419) 215-2437. Good luck with your search.
I need to no how early could this picture have been taken .and could this picture have been taken somewhere else than toledo ohio
All evidence indicates that this photograph was taken in Toledo, Ohio. If he had a second studio somewhere else, it would likely be listed on the mount. Also my research found nothing about him having a second studio, In regard to the year that this photo was taken; we can narrow it down to the following window of time. The mount reads “VAN LOO, Toledo, O.”
William F. Van Loo opened his own studio in Toledo in 1876. In 1888 he formed the partnership “Van Loo & Trost”; cards after that and then his cabinet cards would typically carry the joint imprint. Because this card just says “Van Loo”, it’s almost certainly pre-1888, so we’re somewhere between 1876–1888. An expert in fashion may be able to narrow it down further.
could this picture have been taken in 1880
1880 falls into the timespan that this photo may have been taken. If you don’t mind me asking, are you trying to learn about an ancestor?
did Vann Loo take pictures other places than ohio and bring them back to make copies
Vann Loo trained in Chicago but than he came to Toledo and began his own studio. I don’t know if he took photographs elsewhere but have no evidence that he did. What exactly are you trying to figure out? Tell me if you are comfortable doing so.