This original carte de visite features a wonderful portrait of a young woman. The photographer, J. E. James adeptly captured a photo of the woman as she appeared deep in thought or worry. I think she looks sad. She is wearing a crossed ribbon with a large pin just under her lace collar. Does the ribbon indicate that she is in mourning or is it just an accessory. Note the young lady’s cute curls. The photographer of this cdv image is no stranger to me. I have another carte de visite by Mr.James. This second cdv is also one of high quality in regard to reflecting the photographer’s talent for recording emotion via photography. What do we know about Mr James? The J. E. James studio was located in Galena, Illinois. James Edward James (1842-1878) was born in Liverpool, England. After immigrating to the United States he served in the 96th Illinois Infantry (Company A) during the civil war. He entered the service as a Private but was discharged as a Commissary Sergeant. He died while still a young man and left his wife Kitty to raise their four children and operate his photographic studio. (SOLD) 
This vintage real photo postcard features an attractive woman in a lovely pose. She has a sophisticated appearance. She is well dressed and was likely a woman of means. A stamp on the reverse of the postcard indicates that it formerly was part of the Bill Hopkins Collection in London, England. Research reveals that Bill Hopkins was a London collector and dealer who collected a large number of postcard. He established and operated the Postcard Collector’s Center in Kensington. Hopkins personalized all of his cards with his hand stamp. Hopkins died sometime around 2014. This postcard is likely from the 1930’s. It is in very good condition (see scans).
A pretty girl poses for photographer Albert Vetter in either Hoboken or Jersey City, New Jersey. This “Jersey Girl’s” portrait is captured in a crisp and clear image. She is wearing a frilly dress and a ribbon pinned near her shoulder. In addition, she is wearing a necklace with a pendant, and she is wearing it over the collar of her dress where it is hardly visible. The photographer, Albert Vetter, was quite an interesting character. Apparently, he was a vengeful man. The magazine, The Camera and the Darkroom ( 1904) reported that Vetter was at odds with the family that lived in the house that was also the home of his studio. Vetter got a picture of the head of the family, who recently died. He enlarged the picture and fastened a rope around it at the neck, and hung it out the window. The daughter of the late man, got a step ladder and removed the photograph. A “war of words” followed and Vetter was arrested. He was arraigned in front of a judge for disorderly conduct and he was put up for bond to maintain the peace. The magazine used a humorous headline to describe this incident; “New Idea in Picture Hanging”. (SOLD)
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 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).
A pretty woman poses for her cabinet card portrait in New York City, New York. The photographer is the Edsall studio which was located at 246 and 248 West 125th Street. The previous owner of this image described the woman in this photograph as having the appearance of a Greek Goddess. Having spent little time hanging out with Greek Goddesses, I can not attest to the validity of the previous owner’s description; but I share his impression. Research indicates that the likely photographer of this image is Frank B. Edsall. It appears that he operated a photography studio in Goshen, New York and later opened a photographic gallery in New York City. He is mentioned in articles appearing in Anthony’s Photographic Bulletin (1888) and Wilson Photographic Magazine (1891). SOLD
A pretty woman poses for her portrait at the New Hamilton Art Gallery in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She looks quite fashionable in her dark dress and wonderful hat. The feathers on the hat are neatly divided into halves of black and white. She is wearing a necklace and is leaning on a high backed chair. She looks very pensive. Advertising on the reverse of the photograph reveals that the studio was located on the corner of Calhoun and Columbia Streets. In addition, the advertising lists the cost of cabinet cards as being 2 dollars per dozen. As an added marketing technique, the studio would do a free 25 dollar oil portrait for one of every thirty customers. Apparently the photographer who operated this studio was a creative marketer as well as a creative photographer. This cabinet card is in very good condition (see scans).
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 