An attractive woman poses for her portrait at the Sanford studio in Danbury, Connecticut. The woman is fashionably and conservatively dressed. The photographer is E. Starr Sanford (1862-1917) and his studio was located at 57 White Street, in Danbury. Sanford partnered with Charles Henry Davis in 1892 to operate a very well respected photographic studio located at 462 Fifth Avenue in New York City, New York. Both men were amateur photographers in the 1880’s and they perfected their skills in club competitions. They pioneeered the colonization of Fifth Avenue by photographers. Sanford was from one of the founding families of Danbury, and Davis was a music critic for the New York Evening Post. They used their high society and theatrical community connections to build the success of their photographic studio. Sanford retired in 1901. In 1897 he decided to build a lavish summer home that he ultimately lived in for five years. His home was called Hearthstone Castle and now is included in the National Register of Historic Places. Research reveals that some references contend that Sanford was one of the early inventors of movie cameras. Sanford died a tragic death. In 1914, while on a ship to visit his son in Texas, his vessel was struck by lightening and he received a severe shock. The arteries in his eyes were severely damaged, and he died three years later. To view other photographs by Sanford, click on Cabinet Card Gallery’s category “Photographer: Sanford”.
ATTRACTIVE WOMAN IN DANBURY, CONNECTICUT ( PHOTOGRAPHED BY E. STARR SANFORD)
PORTRAIT OF A SOUTHERN BELLE IN NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE
A pretty woman poses for her portrait at the Schleier studio in Nashville, Tennessee. The brooch on her lace collar indicates that her name is “Mattie”. She is also wearing a triangular brooch that appears to have a rose motif. Theodore M Schleier was a photographer is New Orleans between 1850 and 1860. He operated in Nashville beginning 1860. In New Orleans, he had a photographic gallery on Chartres Street, in 1857. At the beginning of that year, he was assaulted and badly injured when another New Orleans photographer, James Andrews, kicked in the gallery door, and attacked him with a poker. Andrews also destroyed much of Schleier’s equipment. Schleier’s name appears in a number of photography journals, including Anthony’s Photographic Bulletin (1886), where there is an announcement that his Nashville studio was for sale.
PRETTY YOUNG WOMAN IN WINONA, MINNESOTA
A pretty young woman poses for her portrait in the studio of E. A. Lynn, in Winona, Minnesota. The woman appears poised in front of the camera and she has an alert and amused expression. The photographer may be the same E. A. Lynn who had photographic studios listed for sale in Seattle and Tacoma, Washington. His “for sale” notice was listed in a 1911 photographic journal. E. A. Lynn also served as the Vice President (for the state of Washington) of the Photographers Association of the Pacific Northwest.
PORTRAIT OF A PRETTY WOMAN NAMED MAY ELDER
May Elder is a strikingly pretty woman as apparent in this cabinet card photograph by an unknown photographer in an unknown place. She is very well dressed in this image; perhaps she was photographed for a special occasion, such as a wedding. An inscription on the reverse of the card states “Relation to Mary (Mollir?), Virginia (Wentling) Kinkle?, and John Logan Cozad.
PRETTY AND STYLISH WOMAN IN DOWAGIAC, MICHIGAN
A stylish and pretty woman poses for her portrait at a studio in Dowagiac, Michigan. This close-up portrait highlights her interesting dress (note the string lace-up style) as well as her jewelry. She is wearing a stick pin and a pendant on a chain. The photographer is Harry G. Hughson. Hughson is listed in a business digest printed for Central Michigan (1902). His location is listed as St. Josephs, Michigan.
PRETTY WOMAN IN SYRACUSE, NEW YORK
A pretty young woman poses for her portrait in Syracuse, New York. The photographer is F. C. Flint. The young lady in this photograph is wearing a very fine dress as well as a necklace and pendant. To see other photographs by Flint, click on Cabinet Card Gallery’s category, “Photographer: Flint”.
CANADIAN MAIDEN POSES IN MONTREAL
A Canadian maiden poses for her portrait in Montreal, Canada. She clearly is trying to look a bit sexually provocative in this photograph. She manages to succeed in her effort; but one must remember, a respectable turn of the century woman would not assume a more risque pose than the one she has taken in this photograph. Note the wicker furniture in this photograph. The photographers are Larin and Stidworthy of Montreal, Canada (2202 Notre Dame Street). The Larin in this partnership is Henry Larin.
PRETTY LADY IN COLD WATER; MORE SPECIFICALLY, COLDWATER, MICHIGAN
A pretty woman poses for her portrait at the Gowdy Brothers Art Studio. The studio was located at 22 Chicago Street in Coldwater, Michigan. The subject of this photograph looks to be quite serious. Note the woman’s neckerchief. One of the Gowdy brothers is likely Albert G. Gowdy and a 1900 publication reports that the Gowdy Brothers studio was established in Coldwater in 1888 and that the studio was known nationally for its work producing photographic buttons and medallions.
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.
PRETTY WOMAN IN FRILLY CLOTHING IN TOLEDO, OHIO
A pretty woman poses for her portrait at the studio of Van Loo, in Toledo, Ohio. The woman possesses a beauty and a poise that may indicate that she is a theatrical actress. She is dressed in frills and has an elaborate and interesting hat. Van Loo’s studio was located at 183 Summit Street, in Toledo. William F. Van Loo (1856-1913) was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and his family moved to Toledo in 1864. He left school at age 14 and worked as a salesman. He later went to work for a sign and landscape company, Yost Brothers. After learning sketching and drawing he studied portraiture with Professor Thompson of the Philadelphia Art School. He began his photography career in 1873, He trained in Chicago, Illinois; and in 1876 he he went to Toledo and purchased a failed photography studio which he made very successful. In 1882 his gallery averaged 400 prints daily; it was the largest studio in Toledo. In 1888 he formed Van Loo and Trost, with photographer Frederick J. Trost. Van Loo was also very active in the Toledo Masons.
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 