YOUNG BALLERINA IN GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN

ballerina

An adorable young girl wearing ballet shoes, poses for her portrait at the Noble Studio in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The photographer posed her as if she was dancing. The bright eyed young girl has a terrific smile. The photographer of this image is Thomas Frederick Noble (1866-1932) and he operated a photography studio at various addresses in Grand Rapids. His career spanned between 1890 and 1931. The 1920 US census found him living in Grand Rapids with his wife Pauline (age 50) and two of their children, Fred (age 17) and Pauline (age 15). The 1900 US census reveals that he also had a daughter named Lily. Noble died in 1932 and is buried in Graceland Memorial Park in Grand Rapids.

Published in: on August 27, 2015 at 12:00 pm  Comments (1)  
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A TOWER OF BABIES: ALSO KNOWN AS THE TOWER OF BABBLE (VINTAGE PHOTOGRAPH)

babies

Take a look at this rare photograph of the tower of babble. Not exactly the picture one would imagine from the book of genesis story about the origin of multiple languages. I am very curious about how the babies that comprise this tower maintain their position. It is possible that they are strapped into their seats by a hidden metal brace. It is also possible that there someone or even a couple of people hiding behind the children holding at least some of them in place. Both these methods were used in photographing young children during this era of photography. Whatever method was employed, the photographer did an excellent job of capturing all the children while they were paying attention to the camera. Note that a least two of the babies are holding toys. This vintage photograph measures about 6 3/8″x 12″. The photographer’s name and the location of the studio are unknown. The image was purchased from an antique shop in Vancouver, Britsh Columbia, Canada.   (SOLD)

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Published in: on August 26, 2015 at 12:01 pm  Comments (1)  
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THE MOST ADORABLE YOUNG SIBLINGS IN BERLIN, GERMANY (CDV)

wertheim

This cartes de visite features a portrait of two very adorable young siblings. Big sister is wearing a sailor dress and she proudly poses next to her younger sibling. The baby is holding a ball and is wearing what looks more like a blanket that a gown. There is an open children’s book on the floor in front of the kids. The children are dark complected and have dark hair. They both look incredibly sweet. This photograph was taken at the Wertheim studio located on Leipziger Street in Berlin, Germany. It is possible that the name Wertheim actually represents a photo studio in a department store. Wertheim was a large German department store chain which had four stores in Berlin. The chain’s most famous store, Leipziger Platz, was constructed in 1896. The store featured 83 elevators and an atrium with a glass roof.   (SOLD)

Published in: on August 23, 2015 at 12:02 pm  Comments (2)  
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PORTRAIT OF THE SASSIEST GIRL YOU EVER DID SEE AND A SHY BOY (VINTAGE REAL PHOTO POSTCARD)

sassy boy

This vintage real photo postcard features a portrait of a sassy little girl and an apprehensive little boy. The children are adorably dressed and very expressive. The little girl’s picture should be in the dictionary under the word “sassy”. The postcard paper was produced by AZO sometime between 1904 and 1918.   The postcard is unused and clearly once resided in a photo or postcard album. The image has excellent clarity.

Published in: on August 12, 2015 at 11:57 am  Comments (4)  
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PORTRAIT OF A LITTLE GIRL AND HER DOLL IN VINELAND, NEW JERSEY

doll girl

A cute little girl sits on a bench at the Victory Studio in Vineland, New Jersey. The child has her arm around her beloved doll and could not sit any closer to this prized possession. Residue on the reverse side of this photograph indicates that it once resided in her family’s photo album. This vintage photograph measures about  5″ x 7 3/4″. (SOLD)

Published in: on July 27, 2015 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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ADORABLE LITTLE GIRL IN EUREKA, SOUTH DAKOTA AND HER CONNECTION TO THE MAN FROM PLANET X

eureka

This vintage photograph features a well dressed cute little girl. She is displaying a serious expression as photographer Harry Fallman (1853-1917)  tries to capture the moment. Fallman’s studio was located in Eureka, South Dakota. The 1900 US census indicates that Fallman was born in New York but living in Eureka with his wife Nina A. Fallman (born 1864) and son Gilbert (born 1897). At the time of the census, Fallman was working as a photographer. The 1910 US census finds the 58 year-old Fallman living in North Newberg, Oregon. Apparently he experienced a mid life crisis because he had acquired a new wife (Emily Fallman) and she was just 27 years old. Fallman is listed in Portland, Oregon city directories (1913-1916) as working as a photographer. However, in the 1917 directory it is apparent that he switched careers and had become a grocer. An interesting side note concerns Fallman’s son. Gilbert Fallman (1897-1984) became an actor. Among his best known roles were appearances in “One Too Many (1950)” and “The Man from Planet X (1951)”.

Published in: on July 26, 2015 at 11:35 am  Leave a Comment  
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PORTRAIT OF A SWEET LITTLE GIRL IN MT. PLEASANT, IOWA

schmitz

The little girl seen in this cabinet card portrait is simply adorable. Unfortunately, she seems somewhat intimidated by finding herself in front of a camera. She is wearing a simple checkered dress and a necklace. The beads on the necklace and the buttons on the chair clash and create the impression that she is chained to the chair. I wonder if the photographer did a retake? Nevertheless, the girl is a sweetheart and her expression talks for itself. This photograph was produced by the Schmitz Gallery which was located in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. The 1893 Mt. Pleasant Directory lists the gallery’s location as 133 North Jefferson. The proprietors were listed as Charles, Jno, and Mathias Schmitz.

Published in: on July 23, 2015 at 12:00 pm  Comments (1)  
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ADORABLE LITTLE GIRL IN BUFFALO, NEW YORK

wunsch

This cabinet card portrait features a charming little girl wearing a long dark dress and a serious expression. The photographer of this image is William Wunsch (1846-1929). His obituary, which appeared in the Buffalo News, indicates that he was a war hero. As Wunsch requested, he was buried with three war medals (including the Gold Cross). Wunsch was a lieutenant in the Franco Prussian Wars and he was decorated for bravery. He came to the United States in 1871 and was granted citizenship in 1876. He was married to Sophia E. Steinmetz Wunsch (1878-1949). He resumed his Prussian career as a photographer after immigrating to the United States. He was very active in the German community of Buffalo, particularly with singing societies. Wunsch was still a photographer at the time of his death even though he was 83 years old. He is buried in Buffalo’s Forest Lawn Cemetery. Judging by the scalloped edges of this photograph, the image was produced sometime after 1886. Wunsch’s studio was located on Military Road at least between 1878 and 1927. It is interesting to note that this war hero photographer located his studio on a street called “Military Road” and used a military figure in his business logo which can be seen on the reverse of the cabinet card (see image below).  (SOLD)

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Published in: on July 22, 2015 at 2:23 am  Leave a Comment  
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PORTRAIT OF A BIG SISTER AND HER LITTLE SISTER IN ATHENS, GREECE (CDV)

mom and kid

This CDV features a portrait of what is most likely two sisters. The older girl appears to be a teenage sister rather than the baby sister’s mother. The two sibling are both pretty in their white dresses.The teenager’s dark hair falls down to the middle of her back.The older sister is holding her siblings hand. The younger sister is wearing a cross on a necklace. The photograph was produced by the Boehringer studio in Athens, Greece. Karl Boehringer was the proprietor of the studio and some of his photographs of the ruins of ancient Athens can be found in the Getty Pictures collection.

Published in: on July 15, 2015 at 5:51 pm  Comments (3)  
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WELL DRESSED CONFIDENT LITTLE GIRL IN WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS

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A cute little girl wearing a checkered dress and big hat posses for her photograph at the Lawrence studio in Worcester, Massachusetts. The child projects an air of confidence as she gazes at Frank Lawrence, the photographer. A drawing of Lawrence’s studio can be seen on the reverse of this cabinet card (see image below). His studio was located on the John G.Clark’s Block. To learn more about this photographer and to view more of his photographs, click on the category “Photographer: Lawrence”.  (SOLD)

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Published in: on June 28, 2015 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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