Celebrity photographer, Sarony, of New York City, produced this head and shoulders photograph of actress, Leslie Chester. The actress is wearing an incredible hat. A review of one of Ms Leslie’s performances appeared in Life (1886). The review states that “Miss Leslie Chester is so pretty that her dramatic sins can be magnanimously pardoned”. The review goes on to report that Ms Chester “appears (in a role) as an ambitious amateur, who has no idea of acting and the part is distinctly appropriate.” Hopefully, Ms. Chester was as thick skinned as she was beautiful.
MISS LESLIE CHESTER: A THEATRICAL ACTRESS WHOSE BEAUTY COMPENSATED FOR HER LACK OF TALENT
LITTLE GIRL IN CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE (BUNDLED UP FOR WINTER)
This cabinet card features an adorable little girl bundled up in her winter clothing. She is wearing quite the interesting hat. The photograph is by S. A. Bowers of Concord, New Hampshire. The front of the card announces that the Aristotype printing method was used in producing this image. This method employs collodion or gelatin chloride paper.
FATHER AND DAUGHTER PORTRAIT IN COLUMBUS, OHIO
This cabinet card captures a fabulous image of a father and daughter. The photographer is Urlin, of the Monmouth Art Gallery, in Columbus, Ohio. Both father and daughter look co0l and relaxed as they pose for the camera. They are nicely dressed and are wearing broad brimmed hats. The young girl is wearing a ring and a brooch and the father has a pocket watch. The cabinet card itself is of deluxe design. The card is deeply embossed and padded to give it a 3D appearance. The name of the photographer has a gold gild background. The reverse of the cabinet card has an inscription stating, “Will and Alice Crew, McConnelsville, Ohio”. Perhaps father and daughter were visiting Columbus from their home in McConnelsville; when they decided to sit for their portrait. The photographer is George C. Urlin. He was born in Canada and was an active photographer from 1875 or earlier until 1887. During 1888 and 1889 he worked in Cleveland, Ohio. He resumed his photography career in Columbus in 1889. During his tenure as a photographer, he received numerous medals from various Ohio State Fairs. To see other photographs by Urlin, click on Cabinet Card Gallery’s category “Photographer: Urlin”.
TEN YOUNG WOMEN DRESSED TO THE NINES IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND (1897)
This cabinet card presents ten beautifully and formally dressed young women. They are wearing corsages, decorative hats, and fancy white dresses. The photographer is Darnell, whose studio was located in Cumberland, Maryland. The photograph is dated 1897. The young women are identified on the reverse of the card. The first row includes Reushel, F. Babwin (?), A. Dilfer,and M. Stucklarcer. The middle row includes E. Frost, Minnie Wiesmiller, and S. Asenbacker. The third row includes Emma Miller, Emma Ebert, and Wilhemina Windemuth. (SOLD)
OLDER WOMAN MAKES FASHION STATEMENT IN ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI
This cabinet card features a very fashionably dressed older woman posing for her portrait at the Block Studio, in St. Louis Missouri (1225 Franklin Avenue). The woman is wearing a very interesting hat that includes feathers and assorted other materials. She is wearing a pin and earrings. Research indicates that Louis Block worked as a photographer in St. Louis between 1900 and 1919 although he may have also worked there during other additional years.
WOMAN POSES FOR INEPT PHOTOGRAPHER IN CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE
This cabinet card photograph features a fashionable New England young woman. However, the main focus of this photograph is the woman’s purse. The photographer ruined the photograph by forgetting to ask the woman to put her purse in a place out of range of the camera. The woman is wearing dress gloves, a large bow, a wide brimmed hat, and is slenderized by her corset. The photographer is Bailey of Concord, New Hampshire and he probably was not really inept. However, he certainly made an error when posing the subject for this photograph. A Concord business publication (1890) writes about a photographer named H. C. Bailey. The articles states that Bailey took possession of a photographic studio in Concord in 1888 and that he had lived in Concord since 1860. The article also states that Bailey had a branch studio and art store in Woodsville, New Hampshire. Bailey was reported to have been born in Lisbon, New Hampshire. There is no confirmation that this cabinet cards photographer was H. C. Bailey but it is likely to be the case. In 1890, the Bailey studio was located on State Block, on the corner of Main and School Street.
PRETTY WOMAN IN A FEATHERED HAT IN PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE
A very pretty woman poses for her portrait at the studio of the Davis Brothers, located at 15 Pleasant Street, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. She is wearing a bustle and tailored jacket; as well as a fabulous feathered hat. A corset presents a flattering figure. Lewis and Charles Davis were pioneer photographers in Portsmouth They recorded thousands of images between 1856 and 1903. They produced stereoscopic cards and cabinet cards. A collection of their work is archived at the Portsmouth Athenaeum and 160 of their photographs were published in the book, “Around Portsmouth in the Victorian Era”.
PRETTY WOMAN AT THE WINDOW
This Cabinet Card is quite unusual. A pretty woman is posed outside a curtained window peering into a room. She is wearing a corsage and a fancy hat. The window is clearly put in the photograph after the picture was taken. The woman appears pensive and has a very interesting and attractive face. The photographer is Friend of Port Chester, New York.
Chavita: Beautiful Paris Stage Star
Chavita is captured in this Cabinet Card by famed Paris Photographer, Reutlinger. This beautiful woman is wearing a mantilla and holding a spanish fan. She is wearing a Spanish lace dress and is clearly in a corset. She danced at the opera=comique and was known for her “spicy numbers”. More information will be added when research uncovers further biographical information on this star of the Paris stage. To view other photographs by Charles Reutlinger, click on the category “Photographer: Reutlinger”.
Fashionable Woman in San Francisco
This Cabinet card by Rieman & Co. of San Francisco captures the image of a fashionable young woman in San Francisco, California. Rieman’s studio was in San Francisco in 1882 and he was partners with Forrest Chadbourne. Rieman opened a new studio in 1886 so it is clear that this photograph was taken between 1882 and 1886. To view other photographs by Rieman & Co., click on cabinet card gallery’s category “Photographer: Rieman”.
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