THE GREAT WAR IMPACTS A LOVELY FAMILY IN VIENNA, AUSTRIA

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War is hell to nations, communities, and families. In “A Farewell to Arms” (1929), novelist and World War I veteran Ernest Hemingway wrote “There were many words that you could not stand to hear and finally only the names of places had dignity. Abstract words such as glory, honor, courage, or hallow were obscene.” This cabinet card photograph illustrates the impact of war on a family. The two men in uniform are likely the father and oldest son of the family. The men could not look more serious. Perhaps at the time of this photograph their nation was near, or at war. The remainder of the family (mother, two daughters, and a son) look extremely concerned and worried. The welfare of their nation and their family unit was in jeopardy. This terrific photograph speaks loudly and clearly about the horror of war. The photographer of this emotionally charged image is Ant. Knoll who operated a studio in Vienna, Austria.

This real photo postcard is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $65.00 or best offer. 

Interested collectors may view the listing here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/236611047105

 

Published in: on February 8, 2026 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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REAL PHOTO POSTCARD GERMAN FAMILY : PARENTS CHILDREN INFANT : RPPC c1920

This evocative scallop edged, early 20th-century real photo postcard, presents a carefully posed family portrait, photographed outdoors in what appears to be a wooded park or garden setting. The image depicts a young couple with two children, arranged in a formal yet intimate composition that reflects both affection and dignity. The father, standing behind the group, wears a dark tailored suit with narrow lapels, a stiff white collar, slim tie, and a neatly groomed mustache—hallmarks of late 1910s to early 1920s European men’s fashion. His hair is closely cropped and carefully parted, reinforcing the formal tone of the portrait. The mother, seated at right, cradles an infant in her arms. She wears a dark long-sleeved dress with a modest neckline and a long decorative pendant necklace. Her softly waved hair, worn up but not tightly pinned, is consistent with post–World War I women’s fashion, circa 1919–1923. The older child, a little girl seated at left, appears to be approximately 3–4 years old. She wears a dark dress, light stockings, and strap shoes, with a large bow in her hair. Her direct, serious gaze gives the photograph much of its emotional weight and presence. The infant, likely under one year of age, is dressed in a long white christening-style gown, commonly used for formal portraits and special occasions during this period. The contrast between the dark adult clothing and the infant’s bright garment draws the viewer’s eye to the youngest family member. Overall, this is not a casual snapshot but a deliberately composed, commissioned portrait, intended to commemorate family life during the immediate post-war years. The reverse is divided-back, with a handwritten message in German, written in flowing cursive script. The card is postally unused (no stamp or cancellation). An approximate translation of the message is “Grechwitz (Germany), March 29, Dear Luise! On your birthday we send you our warmest good wishes. For your dear children…Warm greetings” to everyone.” The message is affectionate and familial in tone, suggesting this postcard was sent as a birthday greeting, reinforcing the idea that this portrait held personal significance for the sender and recipient. On the reverse of the card is the printed name “Leonar”. Leonar was a German photographic paper and postcard publisher. The postcard is on Leonar paper but it is not certain that the firm was also the publisher of the card. This vintage postcard is in very good condition. The card has light, even age toning. There is minor edge and corner wear. The image is clear with strong contrast.  (SOLD)

Published in: on January 7, 2026 at 12:00 pm  Comments (1)  
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FAMILY PORTRAIT : ATLANTIC CITY BOARDWALK STUDIO : BEACH : VINTAGE RPPC 1920’s

This vintage real photo postcard (RPPC) captures a striking studio portrait of a family—mother, father, and young daughter—likely taken as a souvenir along the Atlantic City Boardwalk in the 1920s. The woman is dressed in a fashionable dark seaside outfit with lace-up boots, seated on a prop with “ATLANTIC CITY” clearly visible. The young girl, wearing a sailor-style dress with large hair bows, stands between her parents, while the man wears a sleeveless athletic undershirt and shorts, a typical beach attire of the period. The backdrop is painted to resemble the seashore, a hallmark of boardwalk souvenir photography studios. A rough transcription of the message on the reverse of the photograph is as follows: “Dear Florence, We’ve been here for 2 weeks and I have tried to write a few but really I have been too lazy. I cannot write every day. I thought I would go to Florence. Intend to write to all that is a good as it got. I am looking forward to going home as Andrew is going to be married Sept 13 to Em Wm Carrow. He is a retired fireman a brother to Joe Carrow that has the saloon front & back. Love to all from all, Asmy Joseph”. The postcard has an AZO stamp box dating it to approximately 1904-1918.  Atlantic City’s boardwalk photographers were popular during the early 20th century, offering tourists a chance to take home a posed souvenir photo, often with seaside props or painted backdrops. The mix of casual and dressed attire in this card is characteristic of family beach portraits from the era. (SOLD)

Published in: on October 6, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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RUSSIAN FAMILY PORTRAIT : PHOTOGRAPHER KOZLOV : TBILISI, GEORGIA

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This photograph appears to be a family portrait judging by the family resemblance seen among the subjects. There is something very special about this image. Each of the four subjects have a very striking appearance. The young woman, furthest on the right side of the image, is especially beautiful. She has piercing eyes and seems to have troubling thoughts. This photograph has an abundance of personality. I am uncertain about where the photograph originates from. Reading the name of the photographer which is embossed on the bottom right hand corner of the mat, suggests that this is a Russian photograph. However, I have a major deficit in recognizing foreign languages, and this image could be from one of many other places in eastern Europe.    SOLD

ADDENDUM: I have received feedback from a few readers of Russian about this photograph. There appears to be agreement that the embossed logo advertising the photographer’s studio reveals that the photograph was taken in the city of Tiflis, which became Tbilisi (the capital city of then nation of Georgia). There is also consensus that the photographers name is P. Kosloff or P. A. Kozlov.

ADDENDUM !!: I received the following message about this photograph on 5/4/23. The commenter saw the photo on another site. “the picture was taken very likely before 1917, because Koslov is written in old Russian orthography. There was no independent Georgia at that time, as Tiflis was Partner the Russian empire. And the family looks Armenian.”

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Published in: on September 19, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Comments (10)  
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MOTHERS, DAUGHTERS AND SISTERS IN SAXTONS RIVER, VERMONT

This cabinet card, photographed by P. W. Taft, features two young adult women and two young girls. Perhaps the two older girls are sisters and the two young girls are daughters of the older woman. The family constellation in this image is impossible to determine. It is interesting to note that the two little girls are both wearing dresses styled after a sailor suit. The two dresses are similar, but not identical. Taft’s studio was located in Saxtons River, Vermont. To view other photographs by Taft, click on the category “Photographer: Taft”. Preston William Taft (1826-1901) was listed in the Windham County Business Directory 1884) as having a photography business in Saxtons River. Research reveals that he established a Daguerreotype, and later Photography business in 1856 and operated the studio until 1878. He was married in 1850 to Rose Melissa Miller and the couple had three sons and a daughter. Sons Frank (born 1851), Charles (born 1863), and Edward (born 1868), all became photographers. The daughter’s name was Nettie (born 1865). It is likely that this cabinet card was produced by one of P. W. Taft’s sons since, judging by characteristics of the cabinet card, it was likely photographed after he had left the business. To view other photographs by P. W. Taft, click on the category “Photographer: Taft”.  SOLD

Published in: on September 1, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Comments (1)  
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IDENTICAL TWIN’S FAMILY PORTRAIT IN SAXTONS RIVER, VERMONT

This cabinet card family portrait features a family portrait by the Taft Studio in Saxtons River, Vermont. The family unit consists of intense looking parents and their two sons. The boys are very similar in appearance and may be identical twins. The boys are well dressed in their striped jackets and vests. The parents seem to be older than one might expect to have children the age of these boys. Perhaps the boys are their youngest children and the older siblings are gone from the nest. To view other photographs by Preston William Taft and to learn more about him, click on the category “Photographer: Taft”. Be sure to note that two of Taft’s cabinet cards share an identical backdrop.  SOLD

Published in: on August 31, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Comments (4)  
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PORTRAIT OF A FATHER AND HIS ADORABLE SON IN RECIFE, BRAZIL

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DAD AND SON 1 This cabinet card photograph features a young father and his son. The little boy has darling curls. The photo studio that took this photograph is Cintra & Cia.  The studio was located in Recife, Brazil. The city of Recife is in the state of Pernambuco which is in northeastern Brazil and on the Atlantic Ocean.   SOLD

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Published in: on July 6, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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SIX PEOPLE RELAXING ON FRONT PORCH : CAT, ROCKING CHAIR, HAMMOCK : VINTAGE PHOTO

This vintage photograph captures six individuals relaxing on a large porch. There appears to be four women and two children enjoying some leisurely time. At least one woman is sitting in a rocking chair while another two are on hammocks. A young boy is perched on a railing. There is a cat sitting on an unoccupied rocking chair with a pillow behind him/her. There is a nice view of two houses across the way.  SOLD

Published in: on May 8, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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PORTRAIT OF FOUR LOVELY SIBLINGS IN NEVADA, IOWA

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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

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Published in: on April 19, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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MOM WITH BLANK STARE AND HER TWO KIDS IN FREEHOLD, NEW JERSEY

A mother and her son and daughter pose for their family portrait at the Scott Studio in Freehold, New Jersey.  None of the family is smiling and the mother has a far off stare.  SOLD

Published in: on April 17, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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