This cabinet card is a portrait of a nicely dressed older gentleman with a bushy mustache. The gentleman appears quite distinguished and may have been part of the elite of San Francisco. The Rieman and Tuttle Studio produced this cabinet card. George B. Rieman and William Nutting Tuttle (1844-1895) became partners in 1879. The first three letters of Mr Tuttle’s middle name seems to have described his personality. He appears to have been a vagabond photographer; working in a number of studios and having multiple business partners in the years proceeding his venture with Rieman. In 1880, Tuttle left his family in Oakland and sailed to Australia to start anew. Tuttle’s wife, Belle, went to Australia to try to convince her husband to return to California. Her efforts were fruitless. Although Tuttle’s photography studios were very successful and he prospered in Australia, he didn’t support his family back in the United States. He stayed abroad until his death in 1895. The Cabinet Card Gallery has some photographs related to this image. To see other terrific mustaches, click on the category “Mustaches (Only the Best). To view other photographs by Rieman, and to learn more about his life, click on the category “Photographer: Rieman”.
DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN IN SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
A FAMILY PORTRAIT IN BELLOWS FALLS, VERMONT
This cabinet card features at attractive family posing for their portrait at the studio of Frederick J. Blake, in Bellows Falls, Vermont. Mom and Dad are accompanied by their two sons and three daughters. Blake is listed in the Windham County Business Directory (1884).
TWO ADORABLE LITTLE GIRLS RIDING TO MARKET IN HORSE DRAWN WAGON (GERMANY)
This cabinet card captures two precious little girls riding a toy horse drawn wagon to market. Note the terrific detail of both the toy horse, and the backdrop. The horse appears to be covered with fabric and has leather saddle bags and a tail made from hair. The printed German title below the photograph, “Ruckkehr vom Markt.”, translates to “smooth traffic from the market”. The card is dated 1884 and was photographed in Germany. The publisher of this photograph was E. Linde, who was located in Berlin, Germany.
A FAMILY OF FIVE POSES ON THE ISLAND OF FOHR (INDOOR FISHERMEN)
A couple and their three children arrive in Wyk auf Fohr, the only town on the island of Fohr. Fohr is the second largest of the North Frisian Islands on the German coast of the North Sea. The family is on the island to vacation. They decide to walk around the town and happened upon a photographer’s studio. The photographers name was Wilhelm Muller. The family decides to go into the studio for a portrait, believing that a photograph of them would make a great souvenir of their trip to the seashore. The photographer had a wonderful beach backdrop, as well as props, including fishing nets and an oar. The resulting photograph makes the family look like they are ready for a day of serious fishing. For some unknown reason, it was decided that mom should pose with an open book on her lap. Is she bored, or is she studying a text on fishing? The family likely had fun on their vacation because the area they were visiting, was a noted resort town. Here is a historical tidbit. From 1842 to 1847, Danish King Christian VIII chose Wyk as his summer vacation spot, which attracted even more tourists. In 1844, Hans Christian Andersen followed the King to Wyk and made the following comment about Wyk’s beach: “I bathed every day and I must say it was the most remarkable water I have ever been in”.
ELDERLY MAN IN TROY, PENNSLVANIA
An elderly man poses for his photograph at the studio of O. E. Dewey, in Troy, Pennsylvania. The reverse of the card identifies the subject as D. E. Haven and the time of the photograph according to the card stock, is 1887. Mr Haven has an interesting beard that resides mostly on his neck and below his chin. He is also wearing a pocket watch chain that has a charm. The charm appears to be from a fraternal organization and has a non photographic image of what may be, a swan. Orrin Emery Dewey (1858-1887) was born in Sullivan Township, Pennsylvania. Research yielded little about his life but it is known that upon his death, his studio was bought by F. M. Spencer. To view other interesting images of men with beards, click on the category of “Beards (Only the Best)”.
LESTER WALLACK: THEATRE ACTOR AND PLAYWRIGHT
This Cabinet Card was published by celebrity photographer, Napoleon Sarony. His studio was located in New York City. The subject of this portrait is actor, playwright, and theatre manager, John Lester Wallack (1820-1888). Wallack was born into a theatrical family. Wallack served in the British Army before appearing on the Dublin and London stage. His first stage appearance in New York was in 1847 in Boucicault’s adaptation of “Used Up.” Wallack became what many consider, the leading light comedian on the American stage. His autobiography, “Memories of Fifty Years”, was published in 1889. To view other photographs by Sarony, click on category “Photographers: Sarony”. To view other actors, click on category “Actor”. (SOLD)
OLDER BLACK MAN IN YORK, PENNSYLVANIA
This photograph features an older African American gentleman. He is nicely dressed in fancy clothing. Note his long coat. The gentleman appears to be displaying a friendly half smile. He has one hand on his hip; surely, he was told to pose in that manner. The reason for such instruction is not clear. The photographic studio that produced this image is Shadle & Busser of York, Pennsylvania. James Monroe Shadle was born in 1861 in Freeport, Pennsylvania. Oscar W. Busser died of Brights Disease at age 61, in 1921. The studio that bared their names was located at 20 South George Street (1887-1902), 44 South George Street (1903-1925), and 58 South Beaver Street (1925-1936). All of these locations were in York. To view other early photographs of African Americans, click on the category of “African Americans”. (SOLD)
ADORABLE AND BEAUTIFULLY DRESSED LITTLE GIRL IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
A cute little girl poses for her portrait at the studio of Briggs L. Rider, of Chicago, Illinois. The child is wearing a very cute outfit that includes lace and ribbons. The photographer, Rider, was active in Tipton, Iowa (1855), Des Moines, Iowa (1856-1860), and Chicago, Illinois (1864-1896?). During part of his tenure in Chicago, Rider was partners with photographer, Joseph Gehrig. Rider was a daguerreoist and cabinet card photographer. He also copied paintings, drawings and daguerreotypes; and taught daguerreotype art. The address listed on this cabinet card indicates that it was produced sometime between 1878 and 1890.
RISQUE PORTRAIT OF AN ALLURING WOMAN IN NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK BY JOSE MORA (ACTRESS JEFFREYS-LEWIS?)
This cabinet card features an alluring woman lying on a divan in a very provocative pose. Note the leopard skin on the divan. This woman is likely an actress. She appears to be dressed like she is part of a harem. Rather than an actress, she may be a member of a circus act. The photographer is the famous celebrity photographer, Jose Mora. This image is risque for the time that it was made. To view other photographs by Mora, click on the category “Photographer: Mora”. ADDENDUM: An informed visitor to the cabinet card gallery has identified the subject of this cabinet card as being actress Jeffreys-Lewis. See the comment below to learn the interesting details.
YOUNG FIREMAN IN CROOKSTON, MINNESOTA
A young uniformed fire fighter poses for his portrait at the studio of P. E. Lynne, in Crookston, Minnesota. The fireman is wearing the insignia of his fire department on his cap and on his shirt. “CFD” likely is an abbreviation for the Crookston Fire Department. The fireman’s badge shows an eagle and a fire wagon.
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 