Two dandies pose for their photographic portrait at an unidentified studio. They are wearing wonderful hats and both of the men are flashing half smiles. The postcard has a CYKO stamp box revealing that it was published between 1906 and 1915.
THE “WILD MEN” OF PRAIRIE CITY, ILLINOIS
Who are these guys? I suppose we will never know. This cabinet card photograph features two older men posing for their portrait at the Crane studio in Prairie City, Illinois. The men are pretty well dressed. Both are wearing long coats and hats. One imagines that this photograph was taken during the winter, judging by the men’s clothing. The gentleman on the right side of the image has an appearance of someone who likely did not live a traditional lifestyle. His appearance might have earned him a part in a movie about a wild man living a bit away from civilization. That is, if there were movies during the cabinet card era. Of course I realize that my hypothesis could be very wrong. As much as I love to conjecture about the people in these vintage photographs, I am clear that our interpretations may reveal more about ourselves than about the subjects in the images. These old photos can be similar to the projective tests (ie the Rorshach) employed by Psychologists. Gathering information about the photographer of this image was problematic. More thorough research could reap some very interesting results. The only photographer named Crane that I could find in the Prairie City area was Maria Ann Crane who operated a studio right in Prairie City. According to the Yale University library collection of “Women in Photography”, Miss Crane operated a studio in Prairie City in 1893. The library collection includes two of her portraits. Crane may have been an independent photographer, or like many other pioneer women in photography, she may have joined or succeeded her husband in the photography business.
BEAUTIFUL BRITISH STAGE ACTRESS: OLIVE MORRELL (VINTAGE REAL PHOTO POSTCARD)
This vintage real photo postcard features a very beautiful British stage actress named Olive Morrell. She was a successful enough actress to merit having six portraits of her included in the United Kingdom’s National Portrait Gallery. She performed in England and toured in Australia. She was born as Olive Miller; Morrell was her stage name. In 1908, she married Willie Kelly (1877-1960), an Australian politician. The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News (1905) highlights her career including her role in “The Spring Chicken” at the Gaiety Theatre. In researching the play, I was struck by the number of well known actresses appearing alongside her. The cast included Kitty Mason, Kate Cutler, Gaynor Rowlands, Ethel Oliver, and Gertie Millar. This was certainly an all star lineup and any collector of theatrical postcards will be familiar with these actresses. Collectors will also note that these women were quite pretty and their postcard images were, and still are, very collectible. Miss Morrell is also the subject of an article in The Play Pictorial (1905) which mentions her appearance in a theatre production called “The Talk of the Town”. This postcard was produced by Rotary Photo as part of the Rotary Photographic Series (no. 1547 C). It is truly a special portrait of Miss Morrell. After viewing many postcard images of this actress; I believe this portrait is one of the finest portraits of Olive Morrell that a postcard collector can find. This photograph captures her beauty as well as provides a close look at fashion during the turn of the century.
THREE FASHIIONABLE MEN AND THEIR HATS
This vintage real photo postcard features three fashionable men and their hats. These guys appear to be dressed for a special occasion. The men are smiling for the photographer, not a common sight in many portraits of this era. What era, you may ask? The answer lies in noting that the AZO stamp box indicates that the postcard was published sometime between 1904 and 1918. The names of these men and the identity of the photographer are lost to history.
STUNNING WOMAN IN MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN (WEARING AN INTERESTING AND UNUSUAL HAT)
A very pretty young woman is seen in this cabinet card portrait from the Sutter studio in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The woman is wearing a fabulously unusual hat. The photographer of this lovely portrait is Henry S. Sutter. Research reveals that he also is referred to as Harry S. Sutter. He was born in Switzerland in 1853 and immigrated to the United States two years later. He was trained as a photographer by the Green & White studio in 1870. He began his own photography business by taking over Clifford & Gibson’s studio in 1874, ten years after it’s establishment. A number of resources mention that Sutter was a highly successful businessman. “The Industrial History of Milwaukee (1886) reported that Sutter was making $25,000 a year from his studio.
THREE EXPRESSIVE WOMEN WITH HATS (VINTAGE REAL PHOTO POSTCARD)
This vintage real photo postcard features three well dressed women wearing interesting hats and interesting expressions. The two women on the right have countenances like the “cat that ate the canary”. The ladies were photographed by an unknown studio at an unknown location. The “AZO” stamp box indicates that the postcard was published sometime between 1904 and 1918.
PRETTY WOMAN WEARING A BIRD NEST HAT
This vintage real photo postcard features a pretty woman wearing a bird nest hat. At least it looks like a bird nest. This young woman has the beauty to wear this unusual hat and look terrific rather than silly. The postcard is of French origin and was published in Paris. The Publisher’s logo “LL” can be seen on the front of the postcard. The postcard is part of a series (#123). “LL” postcards were produced for France, England, United States, and other nations. For many years postcard collecting experts believed the logo stood for Louis Levy but there was no real supporting evidence and that belief died around 1991. Later research arrived at the conclusion that the initials “LL” stand for (Moyse) Leon and his son-in-law (Isaac) Levy. Leon and Levy began their career as assistants with the Parisian photographic studio Ferrier-Souilier. The pair began their own photographic studio in 1862. Leon and Levy’s studio won a gold medal at the 1867 Universal Exhibition. Leon left the partnership in 1872 and Levy kept the business going and continued to use the “LL” logo. The company was renamed Levy Fils et Cie. Levy died in 1913 and the company was later bought by the printer Emile Crete.
TWO YOUNG WOMEN WEARING FANCY HATS IN EAU CLAIRE, WISCONSIN
Two young women pose for their portrait at the Bonell studio in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The women are beautifully dressed and their nice figures are assisted by the corsets that they are wearing. Note their fancy hats. The Cabinet Card Gallery has several photographs by Frederick Bonell. To view these photographs and to learn more about Mr. Bonell, click on the category “Photographer: Bonell”. SOLD
GISELLA POZZI: BEAUTIFUL SILENT FILM ACTRESS WEARING A BUTTERFLY DRESS
One thing is for certain is that Gisella Pozzi is a very pretty woman. However, my knowledge about the details of her life is very uncertain. Preliminary research indicates that she was an Italian silent film actress. Some sources report that she was also a theater actress. I have just written everything I know about Gisella Pozzi. More research is needed. What do you think of her dress and hat? I think she looks terrific. I especially like the butterfly on front of her dress. This vintage real photo postcard was made in Italy and produced by Fotocelere. Fotocelere was active between 1915 and 1942 and published postcards across a wide range of genres. The company must have decided it would be attractive to include her faux autograph across her image. I respectfully disagree.
PORTRAIT OF A PRETTY WOMAN WITH A LARGE HAT AND BOW IN MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN (VINTAGE REAL PHOTO POSTCARD)
This vintage real photo postcard features a very pretty well dressed young woman. Her beauty is not hidden by her very large hat and by the large bow she is wearing at her collar. She is also wearing a double strand necklace. The postcard’s “CYKO” stamp box indicates it was produced between 1904 and 1920. The photo postcard was produced by a private studio named the Boston Store Studio which was located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 