The pretty lady in the beaded dress is a congressman’s wife. Her husband is one of the freshman congressmen that just arrived in Washington D. C. to begin their term. They come to our capitol city flush with hopes of fulfilling their unrealistic campaign promises. It won’t take long for these new lawmakers to figure out that their main focus will be to devise ways to stay in office. Anyway, the lady in this photograph is filled with excitement. She has come to Washington with a different agenda than her idealistic husband. She is looking forward to the teas and the gala events that are so popular in this social city. She is preparing to meet the First Lady. That will be a real treat. Frances Folsom Cleveland is warm and beautiful. Her marriage to Grover Cleveland is quite the story. Grover Cleveland was the law partner of Frances Folsom’s father and knew Frances since her infancy. When Folsom died, Cleveland was the executor of his estate and he oversaw Frances’s mothers finances, as well as Frances’s education. After a scandal in which Cleveland was accused of fathering an illegitimate child; he proposed to Frances. She needed time to consider his offer and left for a European tour which included some considering. She returned to America and accepted his marriage proposal. They married in the White House, and she, at age twenty-one, became the youngest First Lady in American history. Anyway, the fine looking lady in this photograph went to G. W. Davis, to have this image taken. Davis has a studio at 925 Pennsylvania Avenue, in Washington D. C.. He also has a studio in Richmond, Virginia. Here comes the moment of truth. Everything written in this blog entry is accurate with just one exception. That exception concerns the identity of the woman in this photograph. As far as I know, she is not a congressman’s wife. Her true identity has been lost to history.
PRETTY FRESHMAN CONGRESSMAN’S WIFE IN WASHINGTON D. C.
BEAUTIFUL SISTERS IN GENEVA, NEW YORK
Two beautiful young woman pose for their portrait. Lillian and Ella look so much like sisters that it is possible that they may have been twins. The photographers name and location were excised by a previous owner of this cabinet card who trimmed it to fit into an album or frame. Fortunately the reverse of the photograph reveals that the photographer of the image was named Vail. Research provides further information. John P Vail (1836-?) was the photographer and he operated out of Geneva, New York. Vail’s father was a farmer and Vail stayed on the family farm until age twenty. In 1859 he went to Penn Yan and learned the art of photography. From 1860 until 1871 he ran a photography business in Palmyra, New York. He then moved to Geneva where he owned a nursery for four years and in 1876 opened a photographic gallery there.
WEDDING COUPLE IN KEWANEE, ILLINOIS
This cabinet photo captures a wedding couple in Kewanee, Illinois. The bride doesn’t look particularly happy on her special day. She is holding flowers and looks pretty in her wedding dress. Note that her corset has quite the slenderizing effect. The groom in this image looks a bit dazed and intimidated. He is wearing a corsage with his formal wear. The photographer of this cabinet card was McWilliam.
FANNIE WARD: THEATRE AND EARLY FILM ACTRESS WHO PERFORMED IN A SEXUALLY PROVOCATIVE FILM BY DEMILLE
American stage and early film actress, Fannie Ward (1872-1952) is the subject of this cabinet card by Newsboy (New York). Ward was known for her comedic roles and her youthful appearance throughout most of her career. She also was well known for her role in “The Cheat” (1915). This film was by Cecil B. DeMille: and it was a very sexually charged silent film. Ward made her stage debut on Broadway a Cupid in “Pippino” with Eddie Foy. She went on to become a successful stage star in New York City. In 1898 she married a wealthy diamond merchant and retired from the stage. Her husbands business reversals spurred her to return to performing in 1905. She became very active in films between 1915 and 1929. Ward was one of those celebrities whose personal life often ended up in the newspapers. For example, the New York Times (1914), reported that Ward was being sued by actor John Dean’s wife. Mrs. Dean contended that Fannie Ward alienated Mr. Dean’s affections away from Mrs. Dean. Mr Dean and Fannie Ward had travelled together a great deal beginning in 1908 because they often acted together. Newsboy gave away cabinet cards, such as the one displayed here, as premiums to customers of their tobacco products. To view other cabinet cards by Newsboy, click on the category “Photographer: Newsboy”.
ANNIE L’ETILLE POSES FOR HER PORTRAIT IN BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS (1878)
A pretty young woman, named Annie L’Etille, poses for her portrait at famed Boston portrait photographer Warren’s studio (465 Washington Street). The photographer was George K Warren. Judging by the size of the cross that she is wearing around her neck; she appears to be making a religious statement. The reverse of the card has a notation that indicates that Annie later became Annie L’Etille Peamate (possibly Peamite). The photograph is dated 1878. To view other photographs by the Warren’s studio, click on category “Photographer: Warren”.
A VERY STERN LOOKING YOUNG BOY FROM CANTON, OHIO
This cabinet card features a young boy who is very fashionably dressed and is carrying a walking stick. Note his cap, large bow, and pocket handkerchief. Also look at his short suit. His very stern look and his outfit makes him look much older than his actual age. The photographer of this image is F. A. Jewell of Canton, Ohio. He was active in Canton during the early 1890’s. He specialized in portraits and photographs of large family groups.
Geraldine McCann: Stage and Early Film Actress
This cabinet card features in costume, theatre actress, Geraldine McCann and is number 77 of a series of Newsboy photographs. These images by Newsboy served as premiums for tobacco purchases. The New York Times (1895) had complimentary comments about McCann’s dancing ability in their review of “a new musical travesty” called “A Stag Party“. Geraldine McCann also played roles in early motion pictures. She appeared in “The Cabaret Singer” (1913),” Out of the Grave” (1913), “When Duty Calls” (1913), “Girls Will Be Boys” (1913) and “Fine Feathers” (1915). To view other photographs by Newsboy, of New York, click on the category “Photographer: Newsboy”.
YOUNG AND HANDSOME SALVATION ARMY WORKER IN BANGOR, PENNSYLVANIA
A handsome young man poses for this portrait in his Salvation Army uniform. His embroidered shirt is labeled “Salvation Army” and has three crosses beneath the lettering. The gentleman’s hat also is labelled “Salvation Army”. The photographer is F. I. Stofflet of Bangor, Pennsylvania. Frank Stofflet was the subject of a law journal article (1894). Stofflet was the defendant against T. J. Stofflett in a case involving violation of a “no compete clause”. )To view other cabinet card images of Salvation Army workers; click on the category “Salvation Army”.
ATTRACTIVE BULGARIAN COUPLE (CABINET CARD PORTRAIT)
An attractive and well dressed couple pose for their portrait at a photographic studio in Bulgaria. Perhaps a visitor to the site can identify the studio and it’s location in Bulgaria.
DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN WITH MUTTONCHOPS IN UTICA, NEW YORK
This cabinet card features a handsome and distinguished gentleman posing for his portrait at the Mundy studio in Utica, New York. The gentleman is well dressed and has a neat mustache and muttonchops. The Photographic Times (1887) has a tribute to L. C. Mundy. “Mr Mundy was a self-made man, and a striking example of what aim, firmness of will, and a steady purpose can accomplish.” The writer continues to state that at age eighy, Mundy was left alone in the world, and from that time on, he provided for himself. As an apprentice, he never needed to be told what to do. Instead, “he saw, and he did”. Mundy went from an apprenticeship to eventually become one of the most respected photographers in central New York. Mundy is also known for having employed journalist and author, Harold Frederic (1856-1898).
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 