Step back into the late 19th century with this remarkable cabinet photograph from December 15, 1898. Captured by a photographer named A. Hallberg in South McAlister, Indian Territory (modern-day Oklahoma), this image is a piece of frontier history. In the photograph, we see a strongman or performer posing confidently in an unusual athletic costume. His attire includes a fitted outfit adorned with decorative ribbons around his knee and waist, and a pair of laced-up boots, all reminiscent of a circus or vaudeville performer of the era. The man’s muscular build suggests he might be a strongman or an athlete, common in traveling shows of the time. The photographer, identified by the elegant “A. Hallberg” logo on the card mount, is a rare but authentic figure from the Indian Territory. Indian Territory at that time was a region set aside for Native American tribes and encompassed much of what is now Oklahoma. It was a place of diverse cultures and a hub of early frontier activity before statehood. On the back of this cabinet card, there is a handwritten inscription that reads: “To my old friend Georgia – Dec 15th 1898 from [illegible].” The signature on the card may be “Charles M. St. Clair”. While the sender’s name is faint, it adds a personal historical touch, making this piece even more unique. SOLD
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 
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