This photograph features three well dressed men wearing bizarre hats. Why are they wearing these hats? Perhaps a cabinet card gallery visitor can leave a comment offering a plausible explanation. One wonders if the men are trying to be funny. This image is truly an unusual photograph. The photographer is Oskar Liessner who’s studio was located in Vienna, Austria.
THREE DASHING YOUNG MEN WEARING BIZARRE HATS IN VIENNA, AUSTRIA
STAGE ACTRESS MATTIE VICKERS COYLY POSES IN NEW YORK CITY
Stage actress Mattie Vickers poses for this cabinet card image at the Anderson studio in New York City. Anderson photographed many celebrities and more of his photographs can be seen by clicking on category “Photographer: Anderson (New York)”. During the early 1900’s, Vickers was one of the the sweethearts of American musical comedy. Her father was a retired actor who ran a boarding house. She made her theatrical debut in vaudeville in the mid 1870’s. In 1877 she married her manager, Charlie Rogers. He died in 1888 after which she toured the country playing starring roles in plays such as “Circus Queen” and “Edelweiss”. A portrait of Mattie Vickers ran in The National Police Gazette (1886). The accompanying text described her as the “sprightly and vivacious young American soubrette” and “the cleverest rough-and-tumble soubrette on the American stage”. No need to visit a dictionary to discover the definition of the word “soubrette”. A soubrette is simply someone who plays a minor female role in a comedy. The reverse of the cabinet card has been stamped by George D. Russell of Tremont Street in Boston, Massachusetts. Research reveals that Mr. Russell was a well known music publisher in Boston. Perhaps he also was involved in the sale of theatrical cabinet cards.
OLDER GENTLEMAN WITH LONG WHITE BEARD IN PAWTUCKET, RHODE ISLAND
The Salisbury studio in Pawtucket, Rhode Island produced this cabinet card portrait of an elderly man with a long white beard. His beard is very impressive but one wonders how he ate without wearing his food. To view other interesting beards click on the category “Beards (Only The Best)”. The photographer was Arnold F. Salisbury. His name can be found in many Pawtucket city directories of the 1880’s. At one time his studio was located at 65 Mill Street. He is considered by “Classy Arts” photo history site as one of America’s most productive photographers during the Carte De Visite era (he is among over 200 photographers so designated). Salisbury’s obituary appears in the Bulletin of Photography (1918). In the brief article it is mentioned that Salisbury was a civil war veteran. Further research revealed that he was a private in the 1st Regiment Rhode Island Infantry (company E) for three months in 1861. He later served as a second sergeant in the 9th Regiment Rhode Island Infantry (Company A) and as a first lieutenant in the 12th Regiment Rhode Island Infantry (Company H).
SASSY BRIDE AND HER GROOM IN CENTRAL FALLS, RHODE ISLAND
J. C. Prince’s Photo Art Studio produced this wonderful wedding portrait. The photographer was located on Broad Street in Central Falls, Rhode Island. The couple are formally dressed and accompanied by flowers galore including a garland around the neck of the pretty bride. The groom has a happy twinkle in his eyes and his new bride appears to be quite sassy. Perhaps her sassiness is related to his happiness. In fact, both the bride and the groom seem to be very content on their wedding day. Their happiness is quite different than what is usually seen in most wedding day images from this era. More typically, photographed newly weds look like they are at their best friend’s funeral.
WEDDING COUPLE IN LINCOLN, ILLINOIS (WHO SAID “NOTHING BEARING THE NAME LINCOLN EVER AMOUNTED TO MUCH”?)
A couple pose for their wedding portrait in Lincoln, Illinois. The photographer is E. B. Core. The bride is wearing a dark wedding dress and the groom is wearing a corsage. The story behind how Lincoln, Illinois received its name is quite interesting. The town is the only town named for Lincoln before he became President of the United States. He worked as an attorney in the town between 1847 and 1859. The town was named Lincoln in 1853 and during the ceremony, Abe Lincoln christened the town by pouring watermelon juice on the ground. When it was originally proposed to name the town after Lincoln, Mr Lincoln stated that he was against the idea and that in his experience, “Nothing bearing the name of Lincoln ever amounted to much”.
HANDSOME AND WELL DRESSED YOUNG GENTLEMAN IN BANGOR, MAINE
Chalmers studio in Bangor, Maine produced this photograph of a formally dressed and handsome young man. The reverse of the photograph has the subject’s name and a few more details listed. The fellows name is C. L. (possibly G. L.) Surall of the University of Maine, class of 1899. This image is likely a graduation picture.
TWO YOUNG WOMEN HOLDING HANDS IN HUDSON, NEW YORK
This curious photograph features two young women holding hands. The photographer is Sullivan Brothers of Hudson, New York. To view other photographs by the Sulllivan Brothers, click on the category “Photographer: Sullivan Brothers”.
KNIGHTS OF THE TEMPLAR MEMBER IN SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
The previous owner of this photograph asserted that the subject of this image is dressed in the uniform of the “Knights of the Templar”. Note the gentleman’s sword , gloves, belt, sash, and feathered hat. The Knights of the Templar was a fraternal group that originated shortly after the first crusade. To view other photographs of members of this organization, enter “templar” on this sites search box. This image was produced by Rieman & Company which was located in San Francisco. The photograph is larger than a cabinet card. It measures 5″x8″. Advertising on the reverse of the card includes the quote “Rieman’s Babies” and “When Others Fail, Try Rieman”. These boastful statements refer to Rieman’s general photographic prowess as well as his special talent for the difficult task of photographing babies. To view other photographs by Rieman and to learn more about him, click on cabinet card gallery’s category “Photographer: Rieman”.
STYLISH COUPLE IN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK
A stylish couple pose for their portrait at the Douglass studio in Brooklyn, New York. Both subjects are wearing wonderful hats. He is holding a walking stick. She appears to be holding a fan in her gloved hands.
“THE ENTERTAINER”: A BANJO PLAYER IN WALTON, NEW YORK
A spiffy gentleman wearing striped pants, and with a banjo on his knee, poses at the Sprague studio in Walton, New York. He looks relatively comfortable in his “entertainer pose”. It appears that he actually is a banjo player and not just holding a studio prop. Note his terrific hat.
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 