
This attractive young African American woman poses for her portrait at the studio of N. G. Brown 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.

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).

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”.

A young black man with spectacles is pictured in this Cabinet card. The image was photographed by John Orgill of Hartford, Connecticut. To see other photographs by Orgill, click on the category “Photograher: Orgill”

This Cabinet card is a photograph of a dapper young Black man posing in Donner Brothers Studio in Watertown, Wisconsin. Watertown is located in southeastern Wisconsin and was settled in 1836. Around the time of this photograph, there was an influx of German immigrants into the town. These immigrants started the first kindergarten in the United States soon after their arrival in Watertown.

A distinguished looking Black man poses for a photograph in the studio of Elmer Chickering of Boston, Massachussets. The gentleman has an interesting looking expression. He looks proud and he also has what appears to have a “sparkle in his eye” accompanying a half-smile. Elmer Chickering (1857-1915?) was a prestigious Boston photographer who was began his career in the city around 1884. His obituary states that he photographed many of the leading men and women of the city, state and nation. Chickering was well known his baseball related photographs as well as for his many celebrity portraits. To view more photographs by this photographer, click on the category “Photographer: Chickering, E.”.

The subject of this Cabinet card is a dapper young black gentleman photographed by Wendover of Albany, New York. Judging by his formal attire, he appears to be well-to-do and is sporting a pocket watch and cuff links. To view other images by this photographer, click on the category “Photographer: Wendover”.

Edith S. Miles poses in this photograph at the Original Fowler Studio in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. “Compliments of Edith S. Miles” is written on the reverse of the card. She is beautifully dressed and her hair has been nicely styled for her day at the photographer.

This very cute and expressive Black child is posing for this terrific Cabinet card. She doesn’t look like she’s sure how she feels about being in front of the camera. The photographer is Grubb of West Chester, Pennsylvania. To view additional photographs by Grubb, click on this site’s “Photographer: Grubb” category.

This is a terrific photograph of an attractive Black woman wearing a nice broach and earrings. Her hair is nicely styled. The photographer is Bliss Brothers of Buffalo, New York. The Bliss brothers, Harry (b 1866) and Frank (b 1858) were sons of Horace Bliss. The elder Bliss came to Buffalo in about 1854 and learned the photography business. In 1859 he established a photographic gallery which he ran until poor health caused him to retire in 1886. The brothers succeeded their father and established the studio under the name of Bliss Brothers. The source of the biographical information about the Bliss Brothers is the book, Our County and Its People (1898). To view other images by the Bliss Brothers, click on the category “Photographer: Bliss Brothers”.