This terrific Cabinet Card is an image of a attractive young African-American woman posing for her photograph in the studio of Marratt in Detroit, Michigan. The Photographic Times (1884) states that Marratt was one of the principal photographic artists in Detroit. Note the scissors in the woman’s collar. The scissors suggest that she may be a seamstress.
YOUNG AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMAN IN DETROIT (POSSIBLY A SEAMSTRESS)
AFRICAN-AMERICAN GENTLEMAN
This Cabinet card image is of a distinguished looking African American gentleman. The photographer and location of the studio is unknown.
Stylishly Dressed African American Man in St. Louis, Missouri

This Cabinet card offers a very clear and detailed image of a young Black man who is very nicely dressed. He posed for this photograph at the studio of Genelli in St. Louis, Missouri. To learn more about this studio and to view other photographs produced by Genelli, click on the category “Photographer: Genelli”.
TWO NATIVE AMERICAN OR POSSIBLY AFRICAN AMERICAN COWBOYS
This Cabinet card pictures, what appears to be, two Native American or possibly African American cowboys wearing their cow punching clothing. The cowboy on the left is wearing a western hat, a neckerchief, and wooly chaps. I do not know what he wearing over his lower arms and wrists. The cowboy on the right has his western hat, neckerchief, and is wearing spurs on his boots. The photographer is Elliott of Marion, Iowa. Marion was established in 1839 and named after popular figure General Marion. The courthouse in Marion was the location of the recruitment of nine full companies which fought for the Union in the Civil War. The area was known as the most patriotic part of Iowa.
African American Baby in Erie, Pennsylvania (1895)
This Cabinet card of an African American baby (girl?) is a rare find. In my many years of collecting Cabinet cards I have seen few photographic portraits of Black babies. This photograph is from the studio of Pfaff in Erie, Pennsylvania. The reverse of the card indicates the photograph was taken in 1895 when the infant was 13 weeks. The parents were Mr and Mrs Austin Mont. of Erie, Pennsylvania.
African American Man in Checkered Jacket in Cincinnati, Ohio

A young African American man is photographed in the Cabinet Card by H. Mueller of Cincinnati, Ohio. He is wearing a checkered jacket with a handkerchief in his jacket pocket.
African American Man in Kingston, New York

This Cabinet card is an image of a well-dressed young African American man posing for his portrait at the studio of J. N. Brengel in Kingston, New York. Kingston is 91 miles north of New York City.
Young Black Woman in Saratoga Springs, New York

This attractive young African American woman poses for her portrait at the studio of N. G. Brown in Saratoga Springs, New York.
Handsome African American Gentleman

This well dressed and handsome African American young man smiles for the camera at the studio of B F Ogden and Sons. Mr Ogden appears to be quite the entrepreneur with three studios in Massachusetts (Springfield, Holyoke and Pittsfield) and two studios in New York (Albany and Troy).
Exquisite Black Woman in Cincinnati, Ohio

This Cabinet card is a portrait of an exquisite African American woman. She is wearing an interesting outfit and a nice broach pin. The photographer is Randolph (Ralph) Bellsmith (1857-1910) of Cincinnati, Ohio. Bellsmith was born in England and immigrated to the United States in 1867. He took photographic portraits of many of the leading citizens of the Cincinnati general area. He was the President of the Photographic Association of Ohio and won a first place prize for his exhibit at the Chicago World Exposition in 1893. To view other photographs by this photographer, click on the category “Photographer: Bellsmith”.