An attractive couple pose for their portrait at the Orgill studio in Hartford, Connecticut. On the reverse of the card, John Orgill markets himself as the leading photographer of Hartford. This couple is poised and well dressed for their day at the photographer. To view other photographs by Orgill, click on Cabinet Card Gallery’s category “Photographer: Orgill”.
ATTRACTIVE COUPLE IN HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT
LOVELY COUPLE IN TECUMSEH, MICHIGAN
A lovely couple pose for their garden scene portrait in a studio in Tecumseh, Michigan. The photographer is Steger. The woman in this image has a devilish expression while her husband appears very serious. The woman appears to be very tall. In fact, she would need to duck, if she walked through the doorway of the fake house in this photograph.
KATE CLAXTON: STAGE ACTRESS ASSOCIATED WITH DEADLY THEATRE FIRE
CABINET CARD 1 (SOLD)
CABINET CARD 2Kate Claxton (1848-1924) is the subject of this cabinet card portrait. Claxton was an American stage actress who made her first appearance in Chicago with Lotta Crabtree in 1870. That same year she joined Augustin Daly’s Fifth Avenue Theatre in New York. In 1872, she became a member of A. M. Palmer’s Union Square Theatre in New York. She played mostly in comedic roles. She began starring in theatrical tours in 1876. In 1876 she was performing the play “The Two Orphans” at the Brooklyn Theatre (in New York City) when a fire broke out killing 278 people. Soon after the tragic fire, she was in a St. Louis hotel when it caught fire and she made a narrow escape. After the two fires, Claxton was viewed by some audiences and theater professionals, as bad luck and a performer to be avoided. There are some interesting asides about Claxton. First, the town of Claxton, Georgia was named after her in 1911, Second, her father was Colonel Spencer W. Cone, who was the commander of the 61st New York Regiment in the American Civil War. Cabinet Card 1 was photographed by Schloss, a famous New York celebrity photographer. To view other photographs by Schloss, click on this site’s category “Photographer: Schloss”. The reverse of this card has a hand written notation stating “Empire Theatre”. Perhaps this photograph captures Kate Claxton in costume for a role she played at the Empire. (SOLD)
Cabinet Card 2 captures Claxton sitting on the ground during a snow storm. The staged scene in this image is likely from one of Claxton’s performances. This photograph is by Sarony, famed New York City photographer. To view other images by Sarony, click on Cabinet Card Gallery’s category “Photographer: Sarony”.
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