This is a striking and somewhat unusual cabinet card portrait featuring a young man posed in studio, dressed in what appears to be a distinctive uniform or occupational attire. The photograph has a strong presence, with the sitter facing forward and engaging the viewer directly, his expression calm, alert, and slightly intense. He wears a neatly groomed thin mustache, and his wide, steady gaze adds a sense of personality and individuality to the image. What immediately stands out is his clothing. He is dressed in a buttoned leather or leather-like jacket, which has a slightly reflective surface, suggesting either treated leather or a heavy protective garment. Beneath it, he wears a high-collared shirt or tunic. On his head is a rounded cap with a structured band, reminiscent of military or early industrial uniforms. The overall look strongly suggests an occupational or service-related portrait—possibly railway, early aviation, mechanical trades, or even a paramilitary or military-adjacent role. While it is difficult to definitively identify the exact profession, the uniform is clearly not ordinary civilian dress. The mount is attractively printed with decorative elements. The reverse is particularly informative and places the photograph geographically. It is printed in both Russian and French. The presence of Cyrillic text, combined with the bilingual French wording (common in higher-end studios of the Russian Empire), strongly indicates that this cabinet card originates from Imperial Russia, likely dating to the late 19th or early 20th century (circa 1895–1910). The photograph presents well overall with a pleasing, slightly warm sepia tone and good clarity of detail. There is moderate, honest age-related wear to the mount, including some edge and corner wear, light soiling, and minor surface marks. Notably, there is a visible diagonal crease at the top right corner of the mount, which can be felt when handled but does not break through or significantly distract from the image area. See Scans
This vintage postcard is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $80.00 at auction
Interested collectors may view the listing here:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/236779044557
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 
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