This cabinet card portrait features a well dressed young dark eyed girl. Her hair is styled in long ringlets. She is wearing earrings and an interesting necklace. The photographer is S. H. Cope of Norristown, Pennsylvania. Norristown is six miles northwest of Philadelphia. The town was named for Isaac Norris, a member of the colonial Pennsylvania legislature. Norris ordered the casting of the state house bell that later became known as the Liberty Bell. (SOLD)
Victorian Child :Straw Hat Button Boots : J.H. Reynolds : Burlington Iowa c1890s
This charming late-19th-century cabinet card features an exceptionally appealing young child posed in the photographic studio of James H. Reynolds of Burlington, Iowa, probably during the late 1880s to mid-1890s. The child stands beside an ornate wicker studio chair against a wonderfully elaborate painted backdrop, wearing a dark button-front outfit accented by an unusually large white lace collar. Particularly attractive details include the child’s broad-brimmed woven straw hat and high button-up leather boots, both excellent examples of children’s fashion from the Victorian period. Whether the child is a boy or girl is difficult to determine with certainty from the clothing alone, since young children of both sexes could be dressed similarly during this period. Period city directories clarify that James H. Reynolds maintained photographic studios on Jefferson Street in Burlington during the 1890s. Reynolds was already producing photographs in Burlington by the late 1880s, and surviving directory records place him at several downtown locations through at least 1896. Burlington itself was an important Mississippi River community and transportation center. By the period in which this photograph was made, river traffic and major railroad connections had transformed Burlington into an important commercial gateway between Chicago and the developing communities farther west. The cabinet card remains in very good antique condition overall. The photographic image is particularly strong, with excellent clarity, contrast and tonal detail. There is expected light wear to the mount, including minor corner and edge wear and a few small surface marks. The elaborate photographer’s imprint on the back remains clear and attractive (see scans).
This Cabinet Card photograph is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $28.00 at auction
Interested collectors may view the listing here:
TWO YOUNG GIRLS PARTICIPATE IN RELIGIOUS CEREMONY IN READING, PENNSYLVANIA
Two cute young girls pose for a portrait capturing their participation in a religious ceremony in Reading, Pennsylvania. Note the crucifix and other religious objects in the photograph. The girls are well dressed and adorable. The photographer of this cabinet card portrait, John D. Strunk, was quite prolific and talented. To view more of his photographs, click on the category “Photographer: Strunk”. SOLD
CABINET CARD PORTRAIT OF A YOUNG CHILD AND A STACK OF CABINET CARDS

This cabinet card portrait of a young child is a bit unusual because the image features other cabinet cards within it. The child is intensely staring at the photographer while holding a cabinet card in his/her hand. There is a stack of cabinet cards lying on the table. One can imagine that the photographer decided to use the cabinet cards as a prop for this image. The photographer of this image is Luther M. Rice. Mr Rice is a familiar name to the Cabinet Card Gallery. The gallery features a photograph by Charles E. Holman, the brother-in-law of Luther Rice. Rice taught Holman the photography business. The pair worked together for a number of years and in 1879 Rice sold the studio to Holman. Rice was born in Massachusetts in about 1886. In addition to being a photographer, he was also a watercolorist. He began working in Warren (Ohio) by 1868. He partnered with Isaac D. Bliss in 1870 and worked independently from 1875 until 1891. He also had a studio in Chagrin Falls (1896-1897). All dates mentioned in this brief career biography are approximate. Rice’s obituary appeared in the “Bulletin of Photography” (1913). He was 86 years old at the time of his death. SOLD

VICTORIAN GIRL WITH DOLL & MIRROR : BY WISSLER CANTON, OHIO : CABINET CARD
This endearing cabinet card captures a tender childhood moment — a small girl, dressed in a light gown, stands before a tall decorative mirror, holding her beloved doll close as she studies her own reflection. The mirror, draped with a fringed lace shawl and adorned with flowers, creates a composition that is both artistic and deeply human. The photographer of this portrait photo was Jacob S. Wissler (1850-1925) of Canton, Ohio. Wissler was a photographer listed in the Canton Business Directories beginning in 1882 and on up to 1900. The back of the mount is richly printed in red ink with Wissler’s elaborate logo and the phrase “Fine Crayons a Specialty,” dating the image to the late 1880s. The studio’s artistry and the touching innocence of the subject make this photograph a charming representation of Victorian sentimental photography. (SOLD)
AN ADORABLE CHILD AND A PHOTO BOOK IN ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI

This vintage photograph captures a most adorable child sitting on a stool/table, resting one foot on a nearby chair. I am uncertain as to whether the child is a boy or a girl but for the purpose of this entry, I will refer to the child as a boy. From his perch, the child looks toward the camera with very engaging eyes and expression. He is wearing an outfit that is part nautical and part “Little Lord Fauntleroy”. He is holding an open book or magazine. There appear to be copies of photo postcards on the book/magazine pages. This photographic portrait was taken by the Schneidt Studio in St. Louis, Missouri. George Gustav Schneidt (1887-1965) and his son operated the studio until 1965.
This Cabinet Card is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $45.00 or best offer
Interested collectors may view the listing here:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/236704356060

VICTORIAN GIRL W/ BONNET & FLOWERS : GENELLI STUDIO : ST LOUIS, MO CABINET CARD
This enchanting Cabinet Card portrait features a young girl standing on the stoop of a painted, theatrical backdrop that resembles a rustic doorway framed with foliage. Her cheerful pose and sweet, innocent smile evoke a sense of charm and childhood delight. The child appears to be around six or seven years old and is dressed in a carefully arranged costume reminiscent of a flower girl or a young performer. She wears a pinafore-style dress over a puff-sleeved blouse, complete with ruffled lace at the cuffs and collar. A wide ribbon is tied around her waist and shoulders, adding a touch of formality to her ensemble. The crowning feature of her outfit is a large, dramatic bonnet, trimmed in lace and adorned with a dark pom or feather on top. Her curly hair peeks out from beneath the hat, adding to her endearing appearance. In her arms, she clutches a parasol and a small basket overflowing with artificial flowers, suggesting a staged studio scenario—perhaps intended to capture a seasonal or pastoral theme. Her expression is one of warmth and genuine amusement, and her body language, slightly leaning, adds a sense of playfulness to the composition. The photograph was taken at the Genelli Photo Studio, located in St. Louis, Missouri. The studio’s name is elegantly printed in red script on the front of the card. On the reverse, the Cabinet Card boasts a visually striking design in metallic gold ink against a rich green background. Though not true gold leaf, the ink emulates a gilded look with reflective, metallic tones that were popular in high-end photographic advertising of the period. The back features decorative scrollwork, artist’s brushes, and a camera motif, promoting the studio’s specialty: “Fine Colored Pastels a Specialty.” It also lists D. F. Hulbert as the proprietor. Hulbert was an active photographer in St. Louis during the late 19th century. (SOLD)

TWO FASHIONABLE KIDS FACE WINTER IN PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA
Two very well dressed children pose in their winter coats and hats at the studio of H. C. Gabriel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The children are posed in a faux outdoor scene complete with snow on the ground and snow covered fences. Herman C. Gabriel is noted in the 1900 U. S. census. The census reveals that he was born in Austria in 1833. He was married in 1873 to Johanna Gabriel. He was living with his wife and 22 year-old, American born daughter, Emma. His occupation is listed as “Photographer”. Herman Gabriel is cited in the American Photographer (1916) for winning second place in a photography competition. This Cabinet Card portrait is in very good condition and has excellent clarity (see scans).
This Cabinet Card is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $66.00 or best offer
Interested collectors may view the listing here:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/236384923186

CHARMING YOUNG GIRL IN VICTORIAN ATTIRE : IDENTIFIED : PROVO, UTAH : CABINET CARD
This beautifully preserved cabinet card features a young girl with delicate facial features, gazing thoughtfully off to the side. Her soft, wavy curls frame her face, adding to her angelic and innocent appearance. Her expression is one of quiet contemplation, with wide eyes that suggest curiosity and perhaps a hint of shyness. She is dressed in a stylish Victorian outfit, consisting of a dark, long-sleeved dress adorned with a lace-trimmed collar that cascades over her shoulders. A ribbon is neatly tied at the front, adding a refined touch to her ensemble. On her head, she wears a plush velvet hat, slightly tilted, giving her a fashionable and well-dressed look indicative of the late 19th century. Her hands rest gently atop one another in a relaxed yet poised manner, further enhancing the timeless elegance of this portrait. The lighting and soft focus around the edges draw attention to the girl’s delicate features, making this a striking example of high-quality Victorian-era portrait photography. This cabinet card was produced by T.E. Daniels Jr., a photographer based in Provo, Utah. The back of the cabinet card contains an elegantly written inscription: “May Holliday”—likely the name of the young girl in the portrait. Additionally, there is a faint purple studio stamp from T.E. Daniels Jr., Photographer, Provo, Utah, along with a catalog number 3095. This image has excellent clarity. The contrast and fine details remain crisp, capturing the textures of the girl’s lace, her velvet hat, and even the soft waves of her hair. (SOLD)





















