An internet dictionary defines funky as ” modern and stylish in an unconventional or striking way”. The pretty young lady in this cabinet card photograph is certainly dressed in a funky manner. She has a great smile and is remarkably well poised as she stands before the camera. Her scarf appears to be made of a fine fabric, and seems to be tied at the ends by ribbons. She is wearing an interesting belt with a decorative buckle. She is also wearing a terrific hat. Note her necklace and the brooch at her collar. A pencilled notation on the reverse of the cabinet card indicates that the young woman in the image is eighteen years of age and that the photograph was taken in 1902. The photographer was Edgar Salomon. He had a studio in two English cities; Highbury and London.
EIGHTEEN YEAR OLD GIRL IS A FUNKY DRESSER IN 1902 LONDON, ENGLAND
CLASSIC SCOTTISH BEAUTY ARRANGING CABINET PHOTOGRAPHS IN AN ALBUM
A pretty young woman arranges cabinet cards in a photograph album. The woman is Scottish, and she is photographed by Wohlgemuth & Company. The studio was located in Glasgow, Scotland. The studio operated between 1887 and 1914. However, a photography journal reported that Benjamin Wohlgemuth was elected to the Glasgow Photographic Association in 1879. The reverse of the image has a pencilled inscription that includes a name and address. The name is difficult to decipher, but it is something close to Prince H. France. The address is 22 Short Street, Leichhardt, Sydney, New South Wales.
A MOTHER AND TWO DAUGHTERS IN ALMA, MICHIGAN
L. W. Miller is the photographer of this family portrait in Alma, Michigan. Two curly haired sisters, wearing lace collars and boots, pose with their mother. The girls couldn’t resist smiling for the photographer while their mother kept her lips pursed and maintained a blank stare. The girls father is notably absent from this image.
INTERESTING COUPLE IN A SALVATION ARMY TYPE UNIFORM
This photograph presents a bit of a mystery. What organization does this couple represent? Their uniforms appear to be salvation army garb. However, many salvation army workers wore the letter “S” on their collar while this couple has the letter “F” on their collars. Many salvation army members wore a collar badge with “Salvation Army” written on it. The gentleman in this image doesn’t appear to be wearing such a badge, but the woman may have one, but it is unreadable. The individuals each have a bar on their shoulders which may indicate a higher than basic rank. Note the wire rim glasses that the gentleman is wearing and the magazine that he is holding. The reverse of the photograph has the name Swanson written on it. The photographer who produced this image is James E. Purdy.The reverse of the photograph indicates that Purdy was the successor to Hastings, the former operator of the studio. Purdy’s studio was located at 146 Tremont Street, in Boston, Massachusetts. He operated his studio in Boston between 1896 and 1930. He was a popular photographer in Boston. He was considered to be in the same caliber as the celebrated photographer, Chickering (to view photographs by Chickering, click on cabinet card gallery’s category “Photographer: Chickering”). One of the many famous people he photographed was Winston Churchill, who was in Boston (1900) lecturing about the Boer War. This is not the same Winston Churchill who so ably led Great Britain.
ATTRACTIVE AND FASHIONABLE COUPLE IN ANVERS (ANTWERP), BELGIUM
A very attractive and fashionable couple pose for their portrait at the Henry studio in Anvers, Belgium. The gentleman appears to be holding gloves. His top hat is visible on the table behind him. The lovely lady is wearing a beautiful dress and a fancy hat. She is also wearing white gloves and holding a bouquet of flowers. This image may be a wedding photograph. The backstamp of the cabinet card indicates that the photographer, Henry, was the winner of a photography medal at the World Exposition in 1894. Anvers, the home of Henry’s studio, was a port and financial center in northern Belgium. The city is located on the Scheldt river and was a center for the diamond industry. Anvers was also the home of the first stock exchange (1460). Anvers is the french name for Antwerp.
PORTRAIT OF AN ADORABLE BABY IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN
This cabinet card features a portrait of a cute, but skeptical baby, sitting on a fur covered chair. The child is wearing a sweater over a gown, and is propped on a chair. The baby is clenching a toy in his/her right hand. The photograph was produced at the Detroit Art Gallery. The proprietors were listed as Dubbs, Lee & Company. Preliminary research yielded no additional information about the studio.
A cute baby
DISTINGUISED LOOKING OLDER GENTLEMAN IN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
A distinguished looking older gentleman poses for his portrait at the Steckel studio in Los Angeles, California. The subject is very well dressed and has neatly cut hair, a walrus mustache, and a nicely shaped beard. The beard is shaped like the letter “V”. (To view other noteworthy beards, click on the category “Beards (Only the Best). Note that the gentleman is wearing a lapel pin which is probably representing a fraternal organization. George Steckel (1864-1938) was a highly skilled photographer and won many important awards for his work. In the book “Los Angeles from the Mountains to the Sea” (1921), author, John Steven McGroarty, provides some biographical informaion about the photographer. Stecker was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania and dropped out of public schools at age thirteen. He then worked for a photography studio for two years. He moved to Philadelphia and did photography work there. He then returned to Allentown and opened his own studio which was in business for three years. His next stop was Kansas City, where he worked in the Real Estate field until 1888. He then travelled to Los Angeles and opened a studio, partnering with Joseph H. Lamson (see images by Lamson by clicking on category “Photographer: Lamson”). The partnership eroded after two years, and Stecker opened his own studio in Las Angeles. It is interesting to note that posters made from his 1894 photograph of Eugen Sandow (1867-1925), nude, with the exception of strategically placed fig leaf, are available for sale today. Sandow was a Prussian pioneering body-builder who was a celebrity of his era.
PORTRAIT OF A BEFUDDLED GRANDFATHER AND YOUNG GRANDCHILD IN JAMESTOWN
This photograph is likely a portrait of a grandfather and grandchild. “Generation Skipping” family photographs were not at all unusual during the era of cabinet card photography. The white haired and bearded grandfather seems to have forgotten to attend to his grooming before sitting for this image. The old man and his grandchild both appear to be quite befuddled by their session with the photographer. This image was produced by the Stanton studio in Jamestown. There are a number of towns named Jamestown in the United States. It has been impossible, so far, to identify the state in which Stanton’s studio was located.
CHARMING COUPLE FROM BUFFALO, NEW YORK
This cabinet card features a well-dressed handsome couple posing for their portrait at Hobert Brother’s Studio. The studio was located in Buffalo, New York. The Buffalo city directory lists Adam, A. S., W.F., and Stanley Hobert as working at the address of the photographic gallery. It is possible that A. S. Hobert may be Adam Stanley Hobert. Therefore, it is not clear how many Hobert Brothers were proprietors of the studio. (SOLD)
PRETTY IN PINK: LITTLE GIRL AND A STATUESQUE PUG
According to an ad on the reverse of this cabinet card, De Young’s studio will make a life size crayon or oil portrait from this photograph, and include a gilt or bronze frame, for the bargain price of twelve dollars. De Young’s studio was located in New York City, New York. There is an ad in the “Photographic Times” (1884) placed by De Young. The studio published a famous photograph of Harry Longabaugh and his girlfriend, Etta Place. Who is Harry Longabaugh? The celebrated outlaw is better known by the name of “The Sundance Kid”. The portrait above, is a photograph of a young child, wearing a bonnet, and holding a basket of flowers. The child is posed next to a statue of a pug. The child’s clothing, and hair, has been hand colored. SOLD
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 