This cabinet card features an attractive young woman with a great smile. She gives the appearance of someone very vivacious. She is beautifully dressed and her hair is very long and worn in a style that can best be described as a “hair pile”. One wonders how much time it would take her to dry her hair after bathing. Were hair dryers available to this pretty long tressed lady? Most readers will be surprised to learn that this portrait was likely taken after the invention of the hair dryer. Hair dryers were invented in 1890 by Alexandre Goldefroy. He drew his inspiration from vacuum cleaners. Goldefroy owned a hair salon in France; and his patrons sat under the hair dryer. Hand held hair dryers were invented in the 1920’s. The photographer of this image is Kozmata Ferencz (1846-1902), located in Budapest, Hungary. To view other photographs by Ferencz, a celebrated Hungarian photographer, click on the category “Photographer: Ferencz”.
PRETTY AND VIVACIOUS YOUNG WOMAN WITH UNUSUAL HAIRSTYLE IN BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
PRETTY WOMAN HOLDING A PRETTY FAN, IN WERSCHETZ, SERBIA
A pretty woman poses for photographer, Ivan Rigyitsky in Werschetz. Werschetz (German name) is a town in Serbia. It is known as Vrsac in Serbia. The town has been under the rule of several different governments over modern times. It was once part of Austria-Hungary. This image has some interesting features. The woman is dressed very fashionably and she is holding an open beautiful fan. Note the lovely scene pictured on the fan. The young lady has a nice figure, with the help of a corset, no doubt.
FASHIONABLE WEDDING COUPLE IN VIENNA, AUSTRIA
This photograph appears to be a portrait of a wedding couple. The pair are beautifully dressed for their special day. The bride is holding a large flower arrangement and a wonderful hat. The groom has a magnificent mustache. Both subjects are holding a pair of gloves. The previous owner of this photograph claims that the couple in the photograph are from the Sympa family, but no explanation regarding how they were identified, was provided. The photographer of this image is Josef Eibl of Vienna, Austria.
MALE ATHLETE IN VIENNA, AUSTRIA
This cabinet card photograph captures an athlete in an action pose from his sport. What is this young man’s sport? It is my belief that he is likely a wrestler. However, he could be a gymnast, boxer, track and field competitor, or some other type of athlete. The subject certainly appears fit and muscular. Perhaps a visitor to the Cabinet Card Gallery will be able to identify the athlete’s sport by his uniform and leave an informative comment. The photographer of this image is Rudolf Franzl (1877-1955) of Vienna, Austria.
Intriguing Woman in Vienna

The subject of this cabinet card has a very intriguing appearance. She is young, attractive and mysterious. The reverse of the Cabinet card presents even more to ponder. Glued to the back of this Cabinet card is a vintage photograph of a Black family. Are the photos related or is there another explanation? I believe that this Cabinet card comes from the studio of R Krziwanek of Vienna, Austria. I am not sure of my translation, so any help in identifying the photographer and studio location would be appreciated.