Cabinet cards frequently present interesting mysteries. This cabinet card inspired a number of questions. I wondered what the story was behind this unusual image. The cabinet card was out of the ordinary because of the mini photograph in the left hand bottom corner of the image. The previous owner of the photograph suggested it was a memorial card, but I was dubious. I hypothesized that the image was a graduation portrait and that the buildings in the photo insert was the college from which he graduated. I set out to learn what colleges were located in Cedar Falls, Iowa. I discovered that the University of Northern Iowa is located in Cedar Falls. From 1876 through 1909 the college was called the Iowa State Normal School. The name was changed and between 1909 and 1961, the educational institution was known as Iowa State Teachers College. Further research confirmed my hypothesis. The photo below, from the University of Northern Iowa library web site, shows the same buildings that are in the cabinet card photograph. The building on the left is South Hall (later Gilchrist Hall) and the building on the right is North Hall (later Central Hall). These buildings were located on the campus of the Iowa State Normal School. Research uncovered the photo postcard below which was identified as being from 1885. My initial hypothesis seems to be correct. This cabinet card is most likely a graduation picture. The subject in the image had just graduated from the Iowa State Teachers College. The cabinet card’s photographer was named Hahnemann Lancaster and he was located in Cedar Falls. The reverse of the photograph has printing advertising that Lancaster had won two first place prizes at both the 1884 and 1886 Iowa State Fairs. Lancaster (born in 1858) was 41 years old when he appeared in the 1900 US census. He was born in Canada. He was married to Sarah (age 39) and the couple had two sons and three daughters at the time of the census. This cabinet card portrait has “gold” edges and is in excellent condition (see scans). (SOLD)
THIS PHOTO IS NOT FOR SALE
This cabinet card photograph was purchased in the Texas Hill Country but was taken at a wedding in Northhampton, Pennsylvania. This group is the “mother” of all wedding parties. The bride is wearing a dark wedding dress and four of the women are wearing tiaras. Some of the children are holding dolls. Note the accordion player sitting in the bottom row. Apparently he was supplying the entertainment at the wedding reception. This cabinet card was photographed by Thomas Lenhart. He operated a studio in Northampton, Pennsylvania. The cabinet card gallery has other images from Mr. Lenhart’s other studio. It was located in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
An attractive young woman appears in this post cabinet card era photograph. She seems to be holding back a smile. Note her corset assisted thin waist. The subject of this photograph is unidentified as is the photographer and the location of the studio. This photo measures about 3″ x 4 3/8″. (SOLD)
This cabinet card portrait is likely a family portrait, judging by a strong family resemblance among a number of the individuals in the photograph. The woman sitting on the right side of the bottom row is holding an open photograph album. She is also arm in arm with the woman sitting next to her. This image is difficult to analyze in terms of the exact family constellation represented. Are these people siblings? Like many other photographs of this era, it is impossible to confidently hypothesize about the exact relationships between the subjects. The photographer of this cabinet card is Edwin Rodney Curtiss (1836-1906) and his studio was located in Madison, Wisconsin. Curtiss was born in Southington, Connecticut and married Eva A. Lingenfetler of Fonda, New York in 1859. (SOLD)
This vintage real photo postcard is a member of the Rotary Photo “British Beauty” series (no. A.141-6). The Cabinet Card Gallery has a number of “British Beauty” cards in it’s collection. This postcard was printed in Britain and is hand tinted. This postcard is in very good condition (see scans).
Unfortunately, I can’t figure it out. Is this a photograph of a father and daughter or are the pair performers of the New York stage? The man looks dapper in his suit, top hat, and cane. The young girl is adorable and well dressed. Be sure to note her shoes/boots. The gentleman is very photogenic and certainly has the appearance of an actor. The photographer of this “enigmatic” portrait is Napoleon Sarony, the well known and highly respected celebrity photographer. Sarony photographed a large number of the actors and actresses appearing in New York theater. He was an eccentric man but very talented. A faded inscription on the reverse of the photo indicates that the photograph was taken in 1879. (SOLD)
The wedding took place in France. The groom was Albert Delattre and the bride was Jeanne Cuvellice. They are an attractive well dressed couple. The photographer who took this wedding portrait was Leopold Moulin. The preceding information came from the former owner of this postcard. This postcard was published by Thomas Illingworth & Co. (T.I.C.). The company was a paper manufacturer founded about 1904. They produced the “Horse Shoe Brand” photographic paper in London England. In 1919 they were bought by British Photographic Supplies company, Ilford. An internet source states that the company produced postcards with horseshoe stamp boxes between 1919 and 1930. This postcard is from circa 1920’s. This vintage photo postcard is in very good condition (see scans).
Welcome to Scottsville, Kansas. This real photo vintage postcard features fourteen young students and their teacher posing outside of their school. The class is composed of children all about the same age. That fact, plus the size of the building, reveals that the school is large enough to segregate the classrooms by age. This is obviously no “one room schoolhouse”. The children appear to have worn some of their best clothing for “picture day” at school. A number of boys are wearing sport jackets or cardigan sweaters. All of the boys are wearing hats or caps.The postcard has a postmark from Scottsville and it is dated 1908. The postcard was mailed from Scottsville to Bellingham, Washington. (SOLD)
This snap shot photograph tells a story. It may go something like this. It is a cool winter day in France. Its 1966. A handsome father puts on his winter coat and scarf, bundles up his two adorable children, and the family goes for an enjoyable brisk walk down the boulevard. They are not alone. A number of pedestrians are occupying the sidewalk. The man and his children are well dressed and appear fairly affluent. An inscription, written in French, can be found on the reverse of the photo. Perhaps a visitor to the Cabinet Card Gallery will be able to translate the inscription for the rest of us. The photograph measures about 2 3/4″ x 3 1/2″ and is in very good condition (see scans).
