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

russian family portrait

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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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PASTOR & MRS FRED SQUIRE & CHILD : ONE OF A KIND : STUDIO PORTRAIT : RPPC 1944

This vintage sepia-toned studio real photo postcard features a family of three, posed together with formal yet warm expressions. The man, identified as “Pastor Fred Squire,” appears to be in his late 30s to early 40s. He is dressed in clerical attire, including a dark suit with a clerical collar, giving him a dignified and professional appearance. His expression is calm and approachable, reflecting a kind personality. His neatly combed hair adds to his composed look. The woman, identified as “Mrs. Squire,” sits beside her husband. She wears a dark dress with a white Peter Pan collar and a ribbon tie, reflecting the fashion of the era. Her short, styled hair frames her face elegantly. Her expression is soft and slightly reserved, hinting at a caring and supportive nature. The child, likely their daughter, sits between them, radiating joy with a cheerful smile. She wears a sailor-style dress with a large bow at the neckline, a popular children’s fashion in the early to mid-20th century. Her short, straight haircut adds to her youthful charm. The three are closely positioned, suggesting a strong family bond. The setting is a professional studio, evident from the even lighting and neutral background. The reverse side of the postcard indicates that it is “British Made”. Written in purple ink is the identification of the subjects: “Pastor & Mrs. Fred Squire & child.” The date “Sept 4th 1944” is also inscribed, likely marking the time the photo was taken or sent. SOLD

Published in: on February 26, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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MOTHER AND DAUGHTER DRAMA : LEHIGHTON, PENNSYLVANIA : CABINET CARD

This portrait features a mother and daughter posing at the Bretney studio in Lehighton, Pennsylvania. There appears to be some sort of emotional situation occurring during the taking of this photograph. The mother in the image seems none too pleased, while her daughter appears to be consoling her. The reverse of the photograph indicates the daughter’s name is Molly. It appears that Molly has to be strong for her mother, as her mother has suffered some sort of a loss. The History of Carbon County, Pennsylvania (1912) reports that Clement H. Bretney was the leading photographer of Lehighton. He was born in Mahoning, Pennsylvania in 1873.  After leaving public school he studied art as a private pupil of H. Parker Rolfe of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Next he studied at Curtis-Taylor Studio in Philadelphia. He then worked with W. D. Rishel, a Lehighton photographer. Bretney bought Rishel’s studio in 1899. It is also reported that Bretney was a “dealer in Kodaks” and carried a large stock of photographic supplies. Langdon’s list of 19th and early 20th century photographers asserts that Bretney operated his studio until 1905. This cabinet card portrait is in very good condition (see scans).

6515

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6515

Buy this Vintage Original Cabinet Card (includes International shipping outside the US) #6515

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$34.00

Published in: on February 22, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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