This vintage photograph features a dapper looking gentleman sitting for his portrait at the Otero studio in Cienfuego, Cuba. He has the appearance of a man of accomplishment and he gazes at the photographer with just the right degree of intensity that indicates that this is not his first rodeo. This man knows how to dress. Note his three piece suit, his straw hat, and highly shined shoes. Even his hair is perfect. This is a beautiful photo. The photographer’s work is commendable. SOLD
This arcade card features a pretty woman hitchiking. She has lifted her skirt and is flashing a beautiful smile in hopes of catching a ride. This card is risque. The artist of this pin-up is the celebrated Gil Elvgren. The card was published by Mutoscope. SOLD
This cabinet card photograph features two children, one seated in a vintage baby stroller and the other standing beside it. The baby is dressed in a detailed white gown with lace trimming, while the older child wears a matching white outfit with puffed sleeves and ruffled details, typical of late 19th to early 20th-century children’s clothing. The stroller is constructed with metal and has an ornate design typical of its era. It features large, spoked wheels, a curved handle, and a cradle-like seat, showcasing the craftsmanship of the time. The photograph was taken by Hugo Schwichtenberg, whose studio was located in the Avis Building, next to the Post Office, in Pomona, California. He was an active photographer between the 1880’s and about 1900. The text at the bottom of the card highlights the “Superior Platinum Finish,” a marketing feature of the studio’s work. This photograph is a beautiful representation of period fashion, studio portraiture, and craftsmanship in both photography and product design. SOLD
This risque vintage real photo postcard features a nude pretty young woman smiling at the camera. Her image on this card is provocative. She covers the sexually charged areas but the postcard remains alluring. Although she is covering herself, she does not seem terribly embarrassed about her state of undress. SOLD
This vintage postcard features a Buddhist monk in his religious garb. Note his intricate hat. Look at his hands. He is holding up a peace sign, though the gesture most certainly signifies something else. The priest is located in French Indochina. More specifically, he is in Saigon, Vietnam. SOLD
This undivided back vintage postcard features a look at a Public School house in Kings Park, Long Island, New York. Kings Park is on the Northshore of Long Island and sits on the edge of Long Island Sound. The publisher of this card is T. J. McCarthy and part of a series (No.16). This postcard has a 1906 postmark and was mailed to a woman living in Northport, New York. The postcard has and US one cent Ben Franklin stamp. SOLD
An attractive woman poses for her portrait at the studio of Misses Garrity in Chicago, Illinois. She is wearing a terrific hat, a fur collared coat, gloves, as well as ribbons, cameo collar pin and earrings. She is a stunning woman and is wearing the best finery of the day. Mrs Garrity’s studio was located at the corner of Clark and Elm Streets. Sallie E. Garrity was one of a number of outstanding early female photographers whose marriage stifled a successful career. She opened her first public studio in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1886. She later opened a large and successful photography business in Chicago. In 1893, while working at the Chicago Exposition, she met a man who “wooed her away from Chicago and Photography to Los Angeles and matrimony”. To view other photographs by Miss Garrity, click on the category “Photographer: Garrity”. SOLD
This unusual and uncommon cabinet card features an adorable little boy. He is holding what appears to be a spear. On a slate next to him, there are the words that state, “What Fools These Mortals Be”. This is a line from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare. The line is delivered by the mischievous fairy, Puck. Is the boy in this photograph in costume and taking part in a play? Alternatively, is this photograph just the result of a creative, Shakespeare aware, photographer. The photographer of this cabinet card portrait is W. Busse. His studio was located in Morrisania, New York. Morrisania is a residential neighborhood in the Bronx, New York. SOLD
The reverse of this photograph has an inscription and is signed by the subject. The young woman in this image is Amy Dalphus and the inscription states “to sister “Phillips” from sister “Beaver” Remember the day this was taken”. Miss Dalphus is well dressed and attractive in her coat, hat, and leather gloves. The photographer of this image was Hertsler whose studio was located in Carlisle. Research reveals that Amy E. Dalphus was from the Sioux tribe in South Dakota. She graduated from the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in 1903. She is cited in the book “A Biobibliography of Native American Writers, 1772-1924: A Supplement”by Littlefield and Parins (1985). Next to her name is the following: “Red Man and Helper, February 20-27, 1903”. Perhaps she wrote an article for this magazine or maybe her graduation is listed in the magazine’s pages. Research found little information about Miss Dalphus. Her name was listed on a number of annual “Indian Census” reports from the turn of the century. The “Indian Census” of 1896 reported her to be living in South Dakota with her step mother (Mrs. Moore) and three brothers and a sister. She lived under the auspices of the “Cheyenne River Agency”. The 1900 US census found her living in Carlisle as a student.The story of the Carlisle Indian school is an example of well meaning people committing terrible deeds in an effort to help others. It is important to realize that not everyone involved in this school, and others like it, were actually well intentioned. The Carlisle school operated from 1879 through 1918 as a boarding school founded by Captain Richard Henry Pratt. The school was part of the effort of the US government to assimilate children from 39 tribes into the majority culture. This was an effort to “civilize the Indian”. Pratt saw his task as similar to his experience with the “domestication of wild turkeys”. He believed his mission was the “annihilation of the Indian and his salvation as an American Citizen”. Pratt’s goal was to “kill the Indian in him, and save the man”. Many children were subject to this assimilation project. During some years, the school had as many as a thousand students a year. In addition, there were other schools engaged in the same endeavor. The students were forced to take English names to replace their given tribal names. This was very difficult for the students to accept because their tribal names had personal meanings that reflected their experiences or relationships. In the inscription on the reverse of this photograph, Amy Dalphus refers to herself as “Beaver” alongside her English name. Perhaps this is an effort by her to not surrender her tribal name. The Carlisle school became well known for its athletic programs. Coach Pop Warner and the talented athlete, Jim Thorpe, received national attention. More people are aware of Carlisle’s sports prowess than the actual abuse and racism that permeated the concept and operation of the school. SOLD
This cabinet card portrait features a pretty woman named Lizzie Smitz. She is identified on the reverse of the image. She is wearing earrings and what appears to be a beaded dress. Ms Smitz has great eyes. The photographer is Abbott, whose studio was located in Henry, Illinois. No biographical information about Lizzie Smitz could be found. The photographer, Charles Abbott is listed in the 1880 US census as an artist. He was 35 years old and lived with his wife, Louisa Abbott (age 32), and their son Harry (age 12). The family lived in a boarding house. The couple had married in 1867. Louisa Abbott was also listed in the census as an artist. The 1900 census finds the Abbots living as a couple in Henry, and Charles working as a photographer. Research also discovered that during the civil war, Charles was a Private in the 27th Maine Volunteer Infantry (Company K). SOLD
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THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 