VINTAGE PHOTOGRAPH 1 (SOLD)
VINTAGE PHOTOGRAPH 1 (CLOSE UP) (SOLD)
POSTCARD 2 (SOLD)
POSTCARD 3 (SOLD)
This vintage real photo postcard features theater actress Minnie Ashley (1878-1946). She was one of the great “stage beauties” of the end of the 19th century. She was a talented singer and dancer and she was featured in the madcap musical “1492” (1892). In Boston she performed with the Museum Company and in New York she was a member of the Augustin Daly Company. She had many successes including her performance in “A Country Girl”, “Wang”, and “San Troy”. Her acting resulted in a medical problem. The prolonged exposure to theatrical arc lights caused vision problems. In 1902 she left her acting career and married politician William Astor Chanler who was an affluent grandson of John Jacob Astor. Medical treatment did not help her vision problems and Miss Ashley than put her efforts into sculpting. Chanler and Ashley separated in 1909. She made an attempt at returning to the stage in 1911 but soon opted to pursue her sculpting. During her artistic career she worked under the name of Beatrice Ashley Chanler. In addition to the sculpting, she was active in philanthropy. The book “Famous Prima Donnas” (1900) by Lewis Clinton Strang, devotes a chapter to Minnie Ashley. He describes her as having “artless girlishness, remarkable personal charm, and skill as an imaginative dancer scarcely equalled on the American stage”. He adds that these talents explain her “sudden success” in musical comedy. He describes her dancing as “artistic in every sense” but asserts she was not exceptionally talented in the realm of acting and singing. However, Strang is very complimentary of Ashley’s appearance. He states “nature was indeed good to her when it endowed her with a most fascinating personality, a pretty piquant face, and a slim graceful figure. Vintage Photograph 1 features a young Minnie Ashley. She is a beautiful. Her facial expression is very engaging. The photographer, B. J. Falk was a very well known for his penchant for photographing theatrical stars. He was also recognized for his talent as a celebrity photographer. The image was copyrighted in 1896. this photo measures about 4″ x 5 3/4″. It appears upon very close examination that this image may have been trimmed. Note the imperfection in the top right hand corner. This vintage photograph is in overall good condition (see scans). (SOLD) Postcard 2 was published by the Rotograph Company (New York) and was part of a series (no. B 174). (SOLD) Postcard 3 has the same portrait of Miss Ashley except the image is color tinted. It became common practice around 1902 to hand color photo postcards. Rising labor costs led to the decreasing use of this practice after the 1930’s. This postcard, like the one above it, was produced by the Rotograph Company (New York) and was part of a series (H.B. 14/30). The postcard was mailed and has a 1910 postmark from Warren, Ohio. (SOLD)
POSTCARD 1
POSTCARD 2
This vintage snapshot features a group of students holding their books and wearing name tags. At least two of the young men are wearing sweaters with an emblem stating “Textile”. Is textile the name of their school? Rhode Island is, and was, known for its textile industry. Do the students attend Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) in Providence? The school is a private art and design college and offers a major in Textiles. The school has been in existence since 1877. In the background of the photograph is a Taxi business sign revealing that the location of the photo is Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Writing on the reverse of the photo declares that the photograph was taken in the fall of 1938. The boys are unintentionally making a fashion statement. Note their rolled up pants legs. This fashion strategy even applies to the students wearing sport jackets. The boy on the far right has the same affliction that I experience. He too, can’t keep his shirt tucked in. The reverse of the photo reports that the young man in the center of the photo is named Armand Blanchard. This snapshot photograph is in very good condition (see scans).
This vintage real photo postcard features an oval portrait of a pretty older woman wrapped in furs. She looks quite fashionable. She was living in an era when wearing furs was not politically incorrect. Her head covering is a very nice accessory. She looks great. The woman appears to be displaying a pursed lips smile. The postcard’s stamp box indicates that it was published sometime between 1924 and 1949. The woman’s photograph was taken by the Passport Studio in Toronto, Canada.This real photo postcard is in very good condition (see scans) .
This vintage real photo postcard features a young man wearing a London Fog type raincoat and a cap. He is smoking a pipe. The young man’s outfit make me think he looks British. Forgive me for stereotyping. Note the gentleman’s long hair. The postcard’s addressee is Rose Getchel and she lived in Park Rapids, Minnesota. The sender was Donnie Page (aka “My Donnie Pal”). The postcard is dated 1913. The stamp box indicates the publisher was Cyko and the date of publication was sometime between 1904 and 1920. This vintage portrait postcard is in good condition (see scans). (SOLD)
This vintage photograph features an elderly man and woman doing something unusual. What’s happening in this image that is so unusual, you might ask? The odd thing about this photo is that the old couple appear to be holding hands. This is not commonly seen in photographs of this “no public displays of affection” era. The man has a wonderful walrus mustache. He looks dressed up in his three piece suit. The woman is bundled up in her outfit as if it is winter. Both are wearing hats. It is difficult to determine if this photograph was taken inside or outside of a photo studio. This photograph measures about 4 3/4″ x 3 1/2″ and is in very good condition (see scans).
Meet Elsie Cook. I wish there was something I could tell you about her. I assume that she is a performer of some kind. Most likely she is an actress that did not receive much acclaim as my initial research into her background found nothing. Perhaps a visitor to the Cabinet Card Gallery can provide us with some information about this pretty young woman. This vintage real photo postcard was published by Stewart & Woolf. The firm was located in London, England. The postcard is part of a series (115, no. 42). (SOLD)
A cute little girl poses for her portrait at the Murillo studio in St. Louis, Missouri. She looks adorable with her sweet smile and her sparkling eyes. She is wearing a necklace and a hair bow. The photographer of this image was the Murillo studio of St. Louis, Missouri. One source reports that the Murillo studio was operated by Jesse J Ferguson and existed at least between 1910 and 1919. To view other photographs by Murillo, click on the category “Photographer: Murillo”.
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 