This vintage photograph features an adorable little girl with long hair. She certainly is well dressed. The child is wearing a corsage and is holding a bunch of flowers. Her portrait was taken at the Cheney Studio in Oregon City, Oregon. Interest in photography must have been in the Cheney family genes. The web site “The Art of Historic Photos” reports that at least three siblings in the Cheney family worked as professional photographers. Eston Cheney and his sister Edith both had studios located in Oregon City. Sister Ethel was a partner with Bessie Krumm in a studio at McMinnville, Oregon. Eston operated his studio between 1895 and 1901. Another site, “The Historic Photo Archive” has a different version of the Cheney family history. Eston is reported to be the father of Edith and Ethel Cheney. The reason for there being (Chinese?) writing on the reverse of this photograph, is unknown. SOLD
This vintage postcard features two sides, each depicting lithographic prints of cabins located in “Historic Pipe Stave Hollow” in Mount Sinai, Long Island, New York. The purpose of the postcard is to advertise cabin rentals in a secluded, rustic area near the Long Island Sound, and it offers a glimpse into mid-20th-century marketing practices, including discriminatory policies. The lithographic image on the front showcases a cabin surrounded by a dense grove of trees. The setting is tranquil and woodsy, suggesting a retreat-like atmosphere. The caption below the image reads: “$2,000 Cabin in Historic Pipe Stave Hollow, Mount Sinai, Long Island.” This implies that the cabin was valued at $2,000—a significant sum at the time. The image emphasizes the natural beauty of the area, with dappled sunlight filtering through the trees, creating an idyllic appeal for potential renters. The reverse side contains another lithographic image, this time of a smaller, simpler cabin nestled among the trees. The text below describes the rental terms “Rent: $165 for a furnished cabin from March to November, Amenities: The cabin features four rooms, an inside flush toilet, a kitchen sink, and an outdoor shower, and Setting: The cabins are located in a “rocky wooded glen near Long Island Sound,” further promoting the serene, natural environment. Other cabins in the same area are advertised for higher rents ($200–$300), likely reflecting size or location differences. “Pipe Stave Hollow” in Mount Sinai, Long Island, is described as a historically significant location. This area may have derived its name from a historical use of the land, such as for the manufacturing of pipe staves (wooden pieces used in barrels or pipes), a practice common in colonial times. This postcard is anti-semitic. The postcard explicitly states, “We prefer Christians,” revealing a discriminatory and anti-Semitic policy that was unfortunately commonplace in certain regions and industries during the early 20th century. This statement provides insight into the social and cultural climate of the period, emphasizing the exclusionary practices that were socially tolerated at the time. This postcard likely dates to the 1920’s or 1930’s. SOLD
This cabinet card photograph features a lovely group of siblings posing at the Reynolds studio in Nevada, Iowa. The children are nicely dressed. They are not members of a poor family. Preliminary research did not identify any biographical information about the photographer, However, the cabinet card gallery does exhibit another cabinet card image from a photographer in Iowa. J. H. Reynolds was a photographer who operated out of Burlington, Iowa. Perhaps he also had a studio in Nevada. SOLD
A frowning baby poses for a portrait at a photographers studio on Fourth Street in Huntingburgh, Indiana. The baby is clad in a long gown and sitting on a fur covered surface. The baby is sitting next to a small dog. Research yielded little information about the photographer. The photographer is Mrs. Jos. Sprauer, clearly an early woman photographer. Research found a pioneering photographer named Alois Sprauer of Jasper, Indiana. He founded a studio which operated for decades and was passed on to his son, Albert Sprauer. Jasper and Huntingburgh are nearby towns in southwestern Indiana. The “American Annual of Photography” mentions a W. J. Sprauer of Huntingburgh. The 1880 census includes a Joseph Sprauer, who was born in 1853 in Indiana. Hopefully, the Cabinet Card Gallery’s research department (made up entirely of the sites visitors); can shed some light on the identity of the photographer who created this image. Please leave a comment with any relevant information. SOLD
This vintage lithographic postcard features the Brooklyn Home For Blind, Crippled And Defective Children, located in Port Jefferson, Long Island, New York. Although by today’s standards, the name of the hospital is politically incorrect, the institution did important therapeutic work. The hospital is known today as St. Charles Hospital. Here is some history. In 1907, a group of 27 homeless children with disabilities went by train from Brooklyn, New York, to Port Jefferson. They entered into the care of four French Sisters from the Order of the Daughters of Wisdom. That same year, the Brooklyn Home for handicapped children was established. Its mission was to provide support, care, education, and medical and surgical treatment of blind and handicapped children. By 1910, a building was constructed to house 250 children. The facility was dedicated to and named as St. Charles Hospital. The hospital became regionally renowned for its great success in helping disabled children. Breakthroughs in treating polio attracted national media attention. In 1915, the hospital once again expanded and in 1921 the hospital acquired ten adjoining acres. Expansion has continued over time. Today the hospital is a full service, general hospital and regional rehabilitation center. This unused postcard was published by L. H. V. Reynolds & Company (New York). SOLD
This vintage real photo postcard features the women’s basketball team from Lutheran College. There were, and are, many Lutheran Colleges in the United States and it is unclear which campus these girls attended. The girls seen on this postcard are charming. The five team members seen in this image are all wearing shirts that bear their nicknames. The girls monikers are Mutt and Jeff, Fishy, Clingie, and regrettably, Tubbs. I am unsure of the veracity of Tubbs because the handwriting is difficult to decipher. Note the basketball on the ground in front of the girls. This postcard has been trimmed. SOLD
This cabinet card features a young child dressed in an elaborate outfit, including a lace trimmed dress and a distinctive bonnet-style hat adorned with a large, voluminous bow on the top. The child is standing amidst an arrangement of flowers, holding some in their hands. The background is a painted studio backdrop, designed to resemble a natural outdoor setting with trees and foliage. Although there is a photographer’s name below the image (Volquarts, Plymouth, Wisconsin), it is more likely that the photographer of this image is R. Shull of Chicago, Illinois. Shull’s advertising stamp can be seen on the reverse of this photograph. SOLD
This vintage real photo postcard features a serious young boy wearing a wide brimmed hat. He doesn’t seem very happy to be spending his time at a photo studio. This card has a Cyko stamp box indicating that the photo ws taken sometime between 1904 and 1920. SOLD
This advertising cabinet card features a little boy on a metal chair wearing a bib imprinted “MY MAMMA USES ATLAS FLOUR”. Atlas Flour was manufactured by B. Stern & Sons (Milwaukee, Wisconsin). The card’s photograph was taken by J. A. Janson in his studio also located in Milwaukee. This cabinet card, along with similar examples, was likely produced as part of a local promotion for the flour. It is likely that photos were of children of the company’s employees or other city residents. SOLD
This vintage real photo postcard captures two very adorable and beautifully dressed little girls. They have magnificent smiles and sparkling eyes. This postcard was produced by PC Paris as part of a series (No.1510). The P.C logo is an abbreviation for Papeteries d Levallois-Clichy. The firm published a variety of real photo postcard topics including portraits of pretty models, nudes, views, and holiday cards. The company was active in the 1920’s. Here is the translation of the French message on the postcard: “Very Dear Cousin Agathe, On the occasion of your lovely name day,receive my best wishes and greetings, as well as those of my parents. I also send you my sweetest kisses to you and to all your family. Your little cousin, M. Soensur” (SOLD)
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