PORTRAIT OF A WEDDING COUPLE IN AUSTIN, MINNESOTA

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This wedding portrait was produced by the Fairbanks studio in Austin, Minnesota. The bride is wearing a beautiful dress and veil. The groom is a handsome and  wearing a fancy suit with a white bow tie. The wedding couple are wearing flowers galore. The photographer of this image is likely one of the Fairbanks brothers. In 1891,Henry Durant Fairbanks started a photography studio in Austin. He was joined by his brother, Guy L. Fairbanks in 1894. Henry Fairbanks appears in the US census (1900, 1910, and 1920). The census reveals that he was born in Vermont circa 1870. At the time of the three censuses he was married to Katie Fairbanks and was working as a photographer.

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Published in: on March 13, 2014 at 12:08 pm  Comments (2)  
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AN INTIMATE PORTRAIT OF TWO YOUNG SISTERS IN CENTRALIA, ILLINOIS

sisters f_0002This cabinet card photograph, by the Evans and Balsinger studio, does an excellent job of capturing the love between two adorable sisters. The older sister has an expression of apprehension. She does not seem to be thrilled about having her picture taken. The previous owner of this image asserted that the two subjects in this image are of Hispanic origin. That appears to be just a guess on his part although these girls do appear to be “ethnic”. The Pallet seen next to Evans and Balsiger’s name indicates that the photograph was produced in 1890. Advertising on the reverse of the cabinet card indicates that their studio was located on the Tompkin’s Block in Centralia, Illinois.  (SOLD)

Published in: on March 12, 2014 at 11:26 am  Leave a Comment  
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FASHIONABLE COUPLE IN RENSSELAER, INDIANA

RENSALEAR COUPLE_0005A fashionable couple poses for their portrait at the Sharp studio in Rensselaer, Indiana. It is possible that this image is a wedding portrait. Joseph A. Sharp (1846-1903) was born in Frankfurt, Kentucky. He married Martha (Mattie) Stively (1849-1936) in 1874. Sharp’s obituary appears in the Semi Weekly Rensselaer Republican. The article states that Sharp began his photography career at age 21 while living in Ballfontaine, Ohio. He later lived in Kenton, Ohio and moved to Rensselaer in 1877. He worked about a year as a travelling photographer but the rest of his career he operated a studio in Rensselaer. The obituary asserts that one of the reasons he chose photography as a career was because at a young age he developed a hip disease which left him lame and unable to pursue a more active occupation. Sharp is buried in the Weston Cemetery in Rensselaer. Look below to see a photographic portrait of Joseph Sharp as well as an image of the tombstone he and his wife share.

 

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Published in: on March 10, 2014 at 2:03 pm  Leave a Comment  
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A LITTLE BOY AND HIS HORN IN PORT JERVIS, NEW YORK

A dressed up little boy holding a horn instrument poses for his portrait in Port Jervis, New York. I am unsure if his horn is a toy or a real musical instrument. Hopefully a musically inclined visitor to this site will leave a comment about the instrument. Note the child’s high shoes and bow tie. The photograph is a product of the Allerton studio. William H. Allerton operated his studio in Port Jervis during the 1880’s. During at least some of that time, he also ran a combined refreshment pavilion and photography studio in Dingmans Ferry, Pennsylvania.

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Published in: on March 9, 2014 at 5:47 pm  Comments (1)  
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THREE CUTE KIDS AND A STRING IN SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

Three adorable kids wearing doilies (just kidding) around their neck pose for their portrait at the Williams & Norton studio in San Francisco. The studio was located at 914 Market Street. The child in the middle is holding a walking stick with a string. All three kids are sitting on a pile of hay. It is likely that the children are siblings. W. I. Williams was partners with Norton between 1885 and 1886.

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Published in: on March 4, 2014 at 9:42 pm  Comments (1)  
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BALD MAN WITH WALRUS MUSTACHE IN BUFFALO, NEW YORK

BLISS BROTHERS_0001The gentleman in this cabinet card portrait, like the lyrics of the well known Beatles song, seems to me to be saying, “I  am the walrus.”. The well dressed bald man posed at Bliss Brother’s studio in Buffalo, New York. The studio was located at 368 Main Street (at the corner of Eagle).To learn more about photographers Harry and Frank Bliss and to view more of their photographs, click on the category “Photographer: Bliss Brothers”.

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Published in: on March 3, 2014 at 1:03 pm  Leave a Comment  
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THE BLACKSMITH SHOP: THREE MEN LET THE HORSE OUT OF THE BARN

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Two blacksmiths and a well dressed man and his horse pose at the doorway of a blacksmith shop or stable. Stenciled on the door next to where the blacksmiths are standing, is the word “GRAPE”. One has to wonder whether “Grape” is the name of the horse. The photograph was purchased in the town of Brocton, New York. However, it is unknown whether this image was photographed in the Brocton area.  The photograph measures 6″ x  6 3/4″.    This is a terrific photograph of days gone by.    SOLD

Published in: on March 2, 2014 at 11:12 am  Leave a Comment  
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FATHER, MOTHER, AND DAUGHTER POSE FOR FAMILY PORTRAIT IN BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK

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A well dressed middle aged couple and their daughter pose for their portrait at the Osborn studio in Binghamton, New York. Father and daughter are showing a bit of a smile while mother appears quite serious. To view other photographs by Emerson Osborn, click on the category “Photographer: Osborn (Binghamton)”.

Published in: on March 1, 2014 at 12:13 pm  Comments (1)  
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