Two sisters, in identical dresses, pose for a cabinet card portrait, as they play separate xylophones. The girls are very conscious of the camera as they pretend to play their duet. The xylophones are atop interesting pieces of furniture, or perhaps, trunks. Viewers of this image must consider the possibility that the sisters in this photograph are actually one, and the same, person. It was not unusual during this era for a photographer to use trick photography to place one person in two positions in the same photograph. The photographer of the cabinet card was E. J. (possibly E. T.) Vanderbilt, whose studio was located in Liverpool, England.
A XYLOPHONE DUET IN LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND
JULIA NEILSON (1861-1957): BRITISH STAGE STAR
Julia Neilson (1868-1957) was an English actress remembered for her numerous performances as Lady Blakeney in “The Scarlet Pimpernell” and for her roles in many tragedies and historical romances. In addition, she is also known for her portrayal of Rosalind in “As You Like It”. She became noticed after acting in a series of plays by W. S. Gilbert in 1888. She then joined the company of Herbert Beerbohm Tree, where she remained for five years. She married actor, Fred Terry and their daughter became a well known actress, Phyllis Neilson-Terry. From 1900 through 1930, Neilson and her husband became noted producers of plays. The photographer of this cabinet card was W. & D. Downey of London, England. To view other p;hotographs by the Downey studio, click on the category “Photographer: Downey”. This cabinet card captures Ms Neilson in her role as “Drusilla Ives” in “The Dancing Girl”. The photograph was taken in 1891.
ORIGINAL PLAYBOY BUNNY POSES IN TUNSTALL, ENGLAND
A young woman poses for her portrait at the studio of J. Addison & Company in Tunstall, England. Why didn’t the photographer or a family member tell this woman that her outfit made her look like a bunny rabbit? She is dressed in white, and her hat has two white feathers that point straight up like rabbit ears. Apologies to all those visitors looking for the original playboy bunny.
THE MAN WITH THE STEEL WOOL BEARD IN EXETER, ENGLAND
A well dressed man poses for his portrait at the studio of Charles Keeping in Exeter, England. The subjects beard looks remarkably similar to a Brillo pad. Pity his poor wife during their amorous times together. The photographer, Charles Keeping (1842-?) was born at Lymington in Hampshire. He first worked as a photographer in Exeter in about 1870.He set up a studio at New Bridge Street after moving to Exeter from Torquay between 1867 and 1870. The studio moved to the address listed on this cabinet card (1, Exe Bridge) in 1873. Keeping also had a number of branch studios. In the mid to late 1880’s the business was known as the “Exonia Studio”. The available history indicates that this image was produced between 1873 and the late 1880’s. The subjects steel wool type beard is his ticket to enter the Cabinet Card Gallery’s category “Beards (Only the Best). Click on the category to see an amazing collection of unusual and interesting beards.
ADORABLE CLOSE-UP PORTRAIT OF YOUNG GIRL IN LONDON, ENGLAND
This portrait features a beautifully dressed cute child. The child appears to be a girl, but this is only a guess. The child’s fancy outfit includes a lace collar and a pretty cap. She is holding a branch with only a single leaf. The studio that photographed this child is Pearce & Smith of London, England.
PRETTY YOUNG GIRL IN LIFRACOMBE, ENGLAND
A pretty young girl poses for her portrait at the photographic studio of Chevalier Lafosse at 5 Belgrave Promenade in Lifracombe, England. Lfracombe is a seaside resort on the North Devon coast and has a small harbor surrounded by cliffs. SOLD
AUNTIE MARY FROM SCOTLAND
This cabinet card features Mary Stott from Scotland, according to the inscription on the reverse of the cabinet card. The inscription also includes the describes the subject as ” auntie Mary, our mothers sister before she married Jack Stott in Edzell, Scotland.” Mary is wearing her hair up and is well adorned in jewelry. The photographer is J. Candlish Ruddock, of Bondgate, Alnwick, England.
WESTERN DRESSED ASIAN MAN: PORTRAIT BY PHOTOGRAPHERS TO THE QUEEN
This cabinet card is a portrait of a formally dressed young man who appears to be of Asian descent. The gentleman may be a visitor to the West; or he may be an immigrant to, or resident of the country where he was photographed. The man is handsome and dressed like a man of means. The photographic studio is A & G Taylor, one of several British studios that claim to be “Photographers to the Queen”. Andrew and George Taylor owned the largest Victorian Photography firms in the United Kingdom. The company was started in London in the 1860’s. This particular photograph was taken after 1886 (determined by the back stamp logo); and at that time, the firm had branches in 36 United Kingdom cities, and in 6 cities in the United States.
LADY WITH A WINGED HAT IN KESWICK, GREAT BRITAIN
A lady poses in the studio of Henry Mayson in Keswick, Great Britain. The reverse of the card states that the studio is in the Lake District. The subject of this cabinet card photograph is wearing a winged hat and lots of jewelry.
A BOY AND A SHOVEL (1886)
A young boy poses in the studio of Brown, Barnes and Bell for a portrait. He is wearing a knit sailor outfit and holding a toy shovel. The tool is most likely a studio prop and not revealing any information about the child. The photograph was taken in 1886 as determined by the logo on the reverse of the card. Richard Brown, Robert William Barnes and Joseph Bell built a dynasty of photographic studios that reached around the world. At the time of this photograph, the studio had locations in London, Edinburgh, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, and New Castle. All of these studios were located in England so the international expansion had not begun yet. The studio advertised themselves as photographers to “Her Majesty The Queen” and the Prince of Wales, and several members of the Royal Family.
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 