A mother and daughter pose for their portrait at an unidentified photography studio. On second thought, the young woman and the child seen in this image may actually be siblings. Looking at the way they are posed, I would guess that they share a sibling relationship rather than a parent-child relationship. The subjects certainly exhibit a family resemblance. The pair are nicely dressed. The little girl is wearing a beaded necklace, possibly pearls.
MOTHER AND DAUGHTER SIDE BY SIDE
SWEET GIRL LEANING ON A CHAIR AND CLASHING FABRICS IN HUDSON, NEW YORK
A sweet young girl with her arms crossed leans against a chair at the V. Whitbeck studio in Hudson, New York. One wonders if Whitbeck ever noticed the major pattern clash between the fabrics of the girl’s clothing and the chair. The reverse of the photograph has advertising that indicates that Whitbeck was successor to a photographer named Forshew. Frank Forshew (1827-1895) established his photography business in 1850 in Hudson, a small city on the banks of the Hudson River in upstate New York. He began as a daguerrian and progressed through the stages of photography, eventually producing cdv’s, cabinet cards, and stereoviews. He sold his business to Volkert Whitbeck (1843-?) in the early 1890’s. Whitbeck had joined the business after his discharge from the Union army in 1863. Whitbeck had enlisted into the 14th NY Infantry (Co K) as a corporal. Before his mustering out on 5/23/1863, he had reached the rank of sergeant. Records indicate that he remained in the reserves and continued to rise in rank reaching Captain. Whitbeck appears in the 1880 US census and at that point in time he worked as a photographer and shared his name and residence with his father. His father was a physician. Whitbeck’s photography business is listed in many Hudson city directories. The latest one appears to be 1913.
SERIOUS LOOKING BOY AND HIS INDIAN CLUBS
A young boy, looking quite unhappy, poses for his portrait at the William Meyer studio in Chicago, Illinois. His arms are folded across his chest but it looks as if they won’t stay there long because standing in front of him are a pair of Indian Juggling Clubs. It is as if the boy is preparing to give a juggling exhibition or to exercise. Juggling these pins was a good workout as they were quite heavy. some exercise. Clubs like these were very popular during the health mania of the late Victorian period. A picture of a pair of Indian clubs from the late nineteenth century can be seen below (Source: Wikipedia). William Meyer is listed in a number of the Chicago business directories including 1880,1885, and 1892. His address in 1892 was Clybourn Avenue which indicates that this image was produced before that date.
WINTERIZED LITTLE GIRL IN KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN
The young girl featured in this cabinet card portrait seems to be very prepared for a cold Michigan winter. She looks adorable in her fur trimmed coat and matching fur hand warmers. The photograph is a product of the Abbey studio in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Lewis Clark Abbey (1838-1904) was a photographer from 1876 through at least 1900. He was located at 303 East Main Street between 1887 and 1889 which therefore this photograph was taken between those years.
THREE SIBLINGS WEARING HATS IN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK
This exquisite vintage photograph captures three siblings posing for their portrait ant the Stone studio in Brooklyn, New York. The oldest child, a girl, is wearing a large straw hat. The two youngest children, possibly twin boys, are wearing sailor caps that display a decorative anchor. Each sibling is holding an item. The items include a ball, basket of flowers, and a walking stick. The photographer, Isaac C. M. Stone was born in England and immigrated to Brooklyn in 1884. He was a photographer in Brooklyn for twenty years. His death was announced in the Bulletin of Photography (1914).
A BABY AND A PUG SIT ON A FUR COVERED CHAIR IN GRANT CITY, MISSOURI
A baby and a pug sit together on a fur covered chair as they pose at Huston’s studio in Grant City, Missouri. There is no identifying information on the reverse of the photograph. According to one photographer directory, Jude Huston operated a studio in Grant City in the 1890’s. To view other photographs of dog, click on the cabinet card gallery category “Dogs”.
TWO CUTE LITTLE GIRLS IN LONDON, ENGLAND
Judging by appearance, the two girls in this cabinet card portrait are sisters. The older child is wearing a necklace and both children are wearing bows in their hair. The girls are dressed fashionably. The photographer is Charles E. Long who operated in London, England. He has posed the siblings in a typical studio pose. This image is one of countless cabinet card photos with images of fur covered chairs and tables topped with books.
FASHIONABLE YOUNG GIRL HOLDS GRADUATION CERTIFICATE IN UNION CITY, PENNSYLVANIA
An adolescent girl holds a rolled paper as she poses for her portrait at the Hearn Studio in Union City, Pennsylvania. Is that a graduation certificate that she is holding? She is dressed fashionably. Her hat is strategically placed beside her. Her jewelry includes a necklace, bracelet, and a ring. Interestingly the photographer placed two faux rocks in front of her ankles so that her shoes cannot be seen. Is the photographer hiding something? Note the plants in the planter and the art object on the stage beside her. What exactly is that artistic piece? J. P. Hearn was a native of Devonshire, England, where he was born in 1846. He immigrated to Ottawa, Canada with his brother John in 1872. He later moved to St. Catherine where he studied photography with G.F. Maitland. His next stop was Buffalo, New York. In 1875 he came to Union City and opened a photographic gallery which was destroyed in the “Brooklyn Fire” of 1879. After the fire, he was able to successfully rebuild his business in Union City. He married Canadian, Annie McClelland in 1878. Research found another cabinet card that indicates that at some point in time, Hearn operated studios simultaneously in the Pennsylvania cities of Union City and Spartansburg.
SWEET LITTLE GIRL IN GINGHAM AND LACE IN FORT WAYNE, INDIANA GROWS UP TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE FOREIGN SERVICE
A sweet looking little girl wearing gingham and lace poses for her portrait at the studio of F. Schanz in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She is wearing a high collar dress and the beginning of a smile. Note her wide eyes. The reverse of the photograph identifies the young subject as being Ruth Wheelock. To view other photographs by Felix Schanz and to learn more about him, click on the category “Photogapher: Schanz”. Research reveals that Ruth Wheelock grew up to live an interesting life. She was born 6/29/1891. Her father, Kent Kane Wheelock (1857-1928), was a physician living in Fort Wayne. Ruth’s mother was Matilda Henderson (1858-1958). A Fort Wayne newspaper story (1907) reports that Ruth attended school out of state in Staunton, Virginia. After finishing school she did a lot of traveling abroad which is reflected in her many passport applications that can be found in the archives. Records indicate that at least through 1919 she spent much time working and traveling through Europe. She spent time in France, Spain, Italy, and likely other countries. She held a number of interesting jobs. She was a Spanish correspondent and translator with a large publishing house (in Buffalo, NY). She worked as a clerk in American Embassies in Europe. The 1920 census reveals that she was a clerk in the American embassy in Italy. She held the same job title at the American Embassy in Germany, according to the 1930 census. She also worked as a French correspondent for the Society of Fatherless Children in France. In addition, she worked as a teacher of language at the European School of Music. Ruth Wheelock lived what appears to be a very interesting life. She never married and died in Easton, Maryland on 8/11/1957.
A TISKET A TASKET: A GIRL AND HER BASKET IN MATANZAS, CUBA
An adolescent girl, holding a basket of flowers, poses for her portrait at Castro Brothers studio in Matanzas, Cuba. The girl is wearing a bracelet and clutches flowers in her left hand. Interestingly, the Cabinet Card Gallery has a cabinet card in its collection taken by a Matanzas photographer named C. Ruiz de Castro. It is unknown whether C. Ruiz de Castro is one of the Castro brothers who created the cabinet card above. To view other Cuban cabinet cards, click on the category “Cuba”. SOLD
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 