THREE ADORABLE SISTERS IN STANTON, MICHIGAN

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The three girls featured in this vintage photograph are extremely adorable. Whoever dressed the girls for their sitting at the photographer, presumably their mother, outfitted them in very cute clothing. The photographer of this image was Chapman Brothers studio in Stanton, Michigan. Ira O. Chapman (1853-1908) and E. Frank Chapman (1858-1916) were brothers who operated as photographers in Stanton, Michigan. It is unclear which brother is the creator of this cabinet card. At one point in time, the pair conducted business in Stanton as “Chapman Brothers” studio. A portrait of a group of members of the Grand Army of the Republic that was done by the photographer brothers, appears in the Flat River Museum in Greenville, Michigan. The “Directory of Early Michigan Photographers” indicates that Isaac was in business from 1876 through 1877 operating a photo studio known as Jennings & Chapman. He remained in the photography studio trade until at least 1895. He was born in New York. For a time he was the printer and proprietor of  “The Stanton Hornet” which was an independent daily newspaper. His photo business was taken over by E. Frank Chapman who conducted business in Stanton between 1896 and 1915. E Frank Chapman’s son, Vern (born in 1892) operated a photo studio in Lake Odessa, Michigan sometime around 1914.

Published in: on October 11, 2016 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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YOUNG GIRL’S PORTRAIT IN CHARLOTTE, MICHIGAN

A nicely dressed young girl is the subject of this cabinet card photograph by Chapman, of Charlotte, Michigan. The girl is wearing a ring, a link chain necklace, and earrings. The cabinet card stock is unusual because of its pea green color. This photograph came from Edwin A. Chapman’s gallery. Research reveals that he received credit for many photographs that his wife had taken at his studio. Mrs. Jennie A. Chapman (born 1839 or 1840) was a photographer in her own right. Some of her images were taken in 1888.

Published in: on October 10, 2016 at 12:01 pm  Leave a Comment  
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PORTRAIT OF A YOUNG AND PRETTY FASHIONISTA IN NEUDEK, GERMANY (CARTE DE VISITE)

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This carte de visite photograph features a beautiful young girl dressed in the best of fashion. Her clothing indicates that she is from a family of means. She is wearing a stunning dress, a wonderful hat, and is carrying a parasol. She is wearing jewelry (bracelet, earrings) and appears in a manner that is very adult-like. This image reminds me of current day practices by little girl beauty pageants. The contestants, like the young girl above, are portrayed as miniature adults. This cdv portrait produced by photographer Franz Kostler who operated a studio in the town of Neudek. Today, Neudek is called Nejdek and is located in the Karlovy Vary Region of the Czech Republic. The name “Neudek” is of German origin and it is my guess that at the time that this photograph was taken, the town was part of Germany.

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Published in: on October 8, 2016 at 12:00 pm  Comments (1)  
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PORTRAIT OF A MOST ADORABLE LITTLE GIRL IN EAU CLAIRE, WISCONSIN

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This vintage post cabinet card era photograph features an adorable little girl. She is quite expressive and appears to be in a playful mood. The photograph comes from the studio of R. G. Shaker of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Shaker is listed in a historical directory of Wisconsin photographers. The listing stats that he was a photographer in Eau Claire from 1897-1939. Rasmus Gudbrandsson Shaker (1862-1943) was born in Norway. His original last name appears to have been “Skjaak”. He also was known as Robert G. Shaker. He came to Eau Claire in 1879 and worked in the forestry industry. One of his jobs was working in a saw mill. He learned photography from photographer M. W. Burns and took over his teacher’s studio in 1895. R. G. married Olea Isakson in 1887 and the couple had five children. His son, Gilbert (1889-?), was a photographer in Eau Claire between 1914 and 1916. R. G. Shaker is buried in Eau Claire’s Forest Hill Cemetery. Judging by this image, Shaker had talent. This is a wonderful portrait of an adorable little girl.  (SOLD)

 

 

 

Published in: on October 2, 2016 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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ADORABLE TEENAGE GIRL DOING A SPLIT- GYMNAST OR DANCER (VINTAGE RPPC)

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This vintage real photo postcard features a portrait of a teenage girl doing a split. She appears to be a gymnast or a dancer. A notation on the reverse of the  postcard identifies the girl as “Clara”. The postcard was published on Artura paper that was produced between 1908 and 1924.

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Published in: on September 30, 2016 at 12:00 pm  Comments (1)  
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THE LITTLE MUSICIAN: PORTRAIT OF A YOUNG BOY AND HIS VIOLIN (VINTAGE RPPC)

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This vintage real photo postcard features a young boy playing his small violin. He appears to be quite serious about his musical endeavor. The table next to him is holding his violin case. The boy and the location of the studio that photographed him are not identified. The postcard’s AZO stamp box indicates that the postcard dates to sometime between 1904 and 1918.

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Published in: on September 29, 2016 at 12:00 pm  Comments (2)  
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A TODDLER AND HER BEAUTIFUL AND PROTECTIVE BLACK DOG

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A little girl, likely toddler age, sits on a chair, and looks at the photographer with an expression of dismay. Sitting below the child is a black dog in a protective position. The dog does not seem to be enjoying himself either. The dog has a similar appearance to a Labrador Retriever. Note the unusual and beautiful chair that is occupied by the toddler. Also note the rope on the floor which can be seen in the right side of the image. I wonder if the rope is holding the child in place or the dog in place. The photographer of this photograph is J. P. Eskildsen and his studio was located in Lawler, Iowa. An inscription on the reverse of the photo indicates that the child’s name is Mary Redman. J. Peter Eskildsen was born in Denmark in 1870. He married Emma Schlatter in Lawler (1891). The couple had at least one child. Arthur Eskildsen was born in 1893. J. P. found a path to citizenship in 1895. Research reveals that he may have had additional studios in Iowa besides the one in Lawler (Fredericksburg, Jerico, and Waucoma). Initial investigation found some information about young Mary Redman. She appears in the 1910 US census along with the rest of her family. They Redman’s were living in Stapleton, Iowa. Living in the residence was Mary’s parent’s John W. Redman (born 1860) and Trena M. Redman (born 1867). Also in the home were Mary’s (age 4) siblings; Hazel (age 19), Lee (age 18), Lowman (age 15), and Harold (age 13). The 1920 US census finds the family still living in Stapleton but the household has shrunk to include Mary’s father (worked as a carpenter), sister Hazel (worked as a teacher), and of course Mary (attended school). Mary’s mom likely had passed away and sister Hazel likely took up some parenting duties. (SOLD)

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Published in: on September 8, 2016 at 9:39 pm  Leave a Comment  
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CHILD BRIDE AND CHILD GROOM: A TOM THUMB WEDDING PORTRAIT (VINTAGE PHOTOGRAPH)

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This vintage photograph features two beautiful children in a wedding portrait. The bride and groom in this image were likely participants in a “Tom Thumb Wedding”. Such wedding were not uncommon after the 1863 wedding of P. T. Barnum’s side show actor Tom Thumb and Lavinia Warren (also a dwarf/little person). Ten thousand guests attended General Thumb’s wedding and the couple were received by President Lincoln. Now, back to the children in this image. A number of people held weddings between very young children. There were fake ceremonies but real receptions. Quite often these events were held as money-makers for charities. The bride and groom in this image are well dressed and coiffed. The bride is amazingly well poised.They truly look like a miniature wedding couple. To view other vintage “Tom Thumb” photographs, click on the category “Tom Thumb Wedding Portraits”.

 

 

Published in: on August 30, 2016 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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ADORABLE LITTLE GIRL PUSHING DOLL IN A STROLLER WITH HER LOYAL DOG AT HER SIDE (VINTAGE PHOTOGRAPH)

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This wonderful vintage photograph features an adorable little girl pushing her doll in a three wheel stroller. Her dog is sitting, on alert, right next to her. The child is adorably dressed, note her decorative hat. The girl and the photographer are unidentified. The young girl appears to be somewhat overwhelmed, or intimidated, by the process of having her portrait taken. This image is probably from the 1910’s and it measures about 3″ x 6″.  (SOLD)

Published in: on August 28, 2016 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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ADORABLE LITTLE GIRL WITH A TRIANGLE HAT IN LAFAYETTE, INDIANA (VINTAGE PHOTOGRAPH)

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The little girl featured in this vintage photograph apparently is a “girly girl”. That phrase is not meant to be a slur; it just means that she enjoys the more feminine look. She is wearing a frilly dress, her hair is nicely braided and has a pretty bow, and she is wearing an elaborate hat. The front of the hat is nearly triangle shaped and it is adorned with flowers and a feather. The Himea & Elam studio of Lafayette, Indiana, is the creator of this vintage image. Chas Himea is listed in the 1910 US census. He was born in Maryland in 1872 and died in Indiana in 1944. His wife was named Estella but she was also known as Ella. At the time of the census the couple had a thirteen year old son (Leslie) and Chas was working as a photographer. His name appears in a number of Lafayette business directories between 1903 and 1915. Interestingly, the 1957 directory lists a photography store bearing the Himea name. Himea’s partner was Warren G. Elam.  Elam was born in Indiana (1874) and married Alice Elam in 1899. He is listed in the 1900 US census as a photographer but, by at least 1920,  he was out of the profession and living in California.

 

 

 

Published in: on August 22, 2016 at 7:39 pm  Comments (3)  
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