UNUSUAL POST MORTEM PHOTOGRAPH FROM SCHWABACH, GERMANY

This post mortem cabinet card image features an older bearded man partially covered with flowers. The card on the bottom right hand corner of the image likely has the words of a prayer or a religious reading. The image has amazing clarity. The deceased gentleman is lying at an unusual angle. The photographer of this cabinet card image is the Kandel studio which was located in Schwabach, Germany. The town is near Nuremberg and in the center of the Franconia region in North Bavaria. Hopefully, visitors to the Cabinet Card Gallery will not find this image offensive. Photographs of deceased family members were commonplace during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries in America and Europe. The images helped surviving loved ones through the grieving process. In addition, sometimes the post mortem photographs were the only images possessed by the deceased’s family. (SOLD)

Published in: on March 13, 2017 at 7:18 pm  Comments (4)  
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PORTRAIT OF A LAPLANDER SAMI FAMILY

This vintage real photo postcard falls into the ethnographic category. This interesting image features a family in Lapland. The area of  Lapland is located in Finland’s northernmost region. It is sparsely populated and is the homeland of the indigenous Sami people. The Sami’s pursue coastal fishing, fur trapping, and sheep herding. However, they are most known for their work as semi-nomadic reindeer herders. The reindeer are utilized for meat, fur, and transportation. The family seen in this photograph is part of the Sami people. There is much to note in this photograph. Take a look at the family’s clothing. Perusing the picture one can also see the family dog, animal skins, reindeer antlers and fur covered shoes. Be sure not to miss viewing the baby in a papoose like bed. This postcard was published by Enerett Mittet & Company and is part of a series (no. 1/98). The residue on the back side of this vintage postcard reveals that it once was a resident of a photo album.

ADDENDUM: An informed visitor left a comment (seen below) that offers a correction to my description of this postcard. She states “Enerett is not the publisher’s given name. Enerett, and you can translate this online from Norwegian – is “All rights reserved.” The Norwegian publisher Mittet & Co. was started by Ingebrigt Mittet (1875 – 1950) and carried on and expanded by his sons Knut and Søren.” I am very appreciative of this visitor’s willingness to share her knowledge on this blog.   SOLD

Published in: on March 12, 2017 at 12:00 pm  Comments (6)  
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POTRAIT OF AN AFRICAN AMERICAN FAMILY STANDING IN FRONT OF THEIR HOUSE IN THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY

This vintage photograph offers a glimpse into Texas history and African American history in the Lone Star state. The image features an African American family posing for the camera while standing in front of their house. I found this photograph in Fredericksburg, Texas. The town is located in the Texas hill country and is very close to Johnson City, Texas, the boyhood home of former President Lyndon Baines Johnson. A tour of the area reveals similar houses still standing today. This photograph was very likely taken in that locale. The family seen in this image is composed of a father and mother, and their two sons. All four family members are dressed in their sunday best clothing and wearing hats. The family’s dog is included in the picture and even their cat makes a cameo appearance as it walks away from the front porch. This is truly an interesting and historic photograph.   (SOLD)

Published in: on March 11, 2017 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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PORTRAIT OF GERTRUDE BONNETTE: PRETTY FRENCH STAGE ACTRESS

This vintage real photo postcard features French stage actress Gertrude Bonnette. Initial research revealed no information about this pretty theater actress. Bonnette was photographed by the well known celebrity photographer Jacob Schloss (1856-1938) of New York City. Schloss was will known for his portraits of beautiful woman. He was also known as a photographer activist for working hard to gain certain rights for photographers. This photo postcard is published by Societe Industrielle de Photograpie (SIP) of Rueil, France and is part of a series (76 Serie no. 15).

Published in: on March 10, 2017 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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YOU CAN TRUST YOUR CAR TO THE MAN THAT WEARS THE STAR: INCREDIBLE PORTRAIT OF THE INTERIOR OF A WORKING TEXACO GAS STATION

This fantastic photograph provides a look into the interior of a gas station from days gone by. The Texaco Motor Oil cans reveal that we are seeing the inside of a Texaco gas station. A few of the items in the sales showcase can be identified. One can readily see Rustone Cans (rust preventative), flares, and glass cleaner. Is that a cash register on the counter? Next to the register, a cardboard advertising sign promotes a brand of glass cleaner. An advertising calendar hangs on the wall and it provides some interesting information. First, the calendar reveals that this photo was taken in 1942. Secondly, print on the bottom of the calendar reveals that the calendar is advertising a Minnesota company. Therefore, this gas station’s location was probably Minnesota. The people in this photo include the uniformed gas station attendant/mechanic/owner and two woman. One can posit that the older woman may be the pictured gentleman’s wife and the younger woman, his daughter. Note the tire pressure gauge in the man’s shirt pocket. This photograph was taken during difficult times. The United States was involved in World War II and gas rationing began in 1942, the year that this photograph was taken. (SOLD)

Published in: on March 9, 2017 at 3:31 pm  Comments (3)  
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ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL YOUNG WOMAN IN BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS

I do not think it is an exaggeration to state that the young woman seen in this cabinet card portrait, is exquisitely beautiful. She is well dressed and well coiffed. She has lace at her collar and at the bottom of her sleeves. Her hair was meticulously prepared for this portrait. She is wearing star earrings and a ring. She is holding a folded fan decorated with feathers. John L. McCormick and his partner Sumner B. Heald (1835-1900) operated the Boston studio that produced this excellent portrait. Both McCormick and Heald are no strangers to the Cabinet Card Gallery. The two photographers have a number of photographs in the gallery that can be accessed by placing their last name in the site’s search box. Take a look at their work and learn a little bit more about McCormick and Heald. Interestingly, Heald supervised the portrait studio operated by famed Boston photographer, George K. Warren (1824-1884). Warren also has a large presence in the Cabinet Card Gallery. Heald oversaw the celebrity and theatrical portraits produced by the Warren Studio.   SOLD

Published in: on March 8, 2017 at 7:12 pm  Leave a Comment  
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PORTRAIT OF THREE OLD TIME BASEBALL PLAYERS (VINTAGE REAL PHOTO POSTCARD)

Welcome to Mudville. This vintage real photo postcard features three uniformed baseball players. The young men are wearing the uniform of St. Joseph school. Two of the players are wearing fielding gloves and the player in the middle is equipped with a catcher’s glove. The ball players appear to be standing on a ball field in front of empty bleachers. The AZO stamp box on the reverse of this photo postcard indicates that the postcard was published sometime between 1926 and the 1940’s.  SOLD

Published in: on March 7, 2017 at 9:02 pm  Leave a Comment  
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THE FAMOUS HANNA TRIPLETS IN BOONTON, NEW JERSEY (PHOTO BY WENDT)

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This cabinet card portrait features “The Famous Hanna Triplets”. The girl’s names were Ida, Iva, and Eva. The sisters were involved in show business from the age of ten months. A 1967 interview with Iva during her retirement revealed her perspective on the triplet’s popularity. She stated “there weren’t too many triplets in those days who survived…so I guess you could call them freaks who weren’t freaks”. The girls worked for Ringling Brothers and the A. B. Marcus Musical Comedy Company. They performed as dancers. At age 20 they retired as they began to marry. Eva married a noted clown. “Bumpsy” Anthony (1900-1989) was inducted into the International Clown Hall of Fame. In 1956, at age 50, the triplets had a reunion dance performance. Triplets are quite rare and it is not surprising that these beautiful performing girls became well known. The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that triplets are born in about one of one thousand births. Only about 10% of these births are identical triplets. In 2015 only four sets of identical triplets were born in the US. It appears that the Hanna girls were identical triplets. The photographer of this historic image is Frank Wendt (1859-1930). In 1893 Wendt became the successor to his mentor, Charles Eisenmann (1855-197). Eisenmann was a famous New York City photographer known for his images concerning “human oddities” and circus perfomers. A collection of his work can be seen at the web site of the “International Center of Photography”. Wendt continued Eisenmann’s work photographing “human oddities” but he also photographed many “normal” celebrities.Wendt moved the studio to New Jersey in 1898. Author Jim Linderman maintains that Wendt has been unfairly placed in the shadow of Eisenmann.

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Published in: on March 3, 2017 at 11:09 am  Comments (5)  
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PORTRAIT OF BEAUTIFUL FILM ACTRESS: MILDRED DAVIS

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This vintage real photo postcard features film actress Mildred Davis (1901-1969). Mildred Hillary Davis appeared in many of Harold Lloyd’s (1893-1971) classic silent comedy films. She eventually became Lloyd’s wife. Davis was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She wanted to be an actress and when old enough, she went to California seeking film roles. She was blonde and petite, measuring just 5 feet tall. She has been described as sweet and perky, with a flair for comedy. She was able to secure several small parts and was noticed by film director/producer Hal Roach. Roach brought her to the attention of comedian Harold Lloyd who was seeking a replacement for his leading lady, Bebe Daniels (an image of Miss Daniels can be found in the Cabinet Card Gallery). Lloyd casted Davis in his short comedy “From Hand to Mouth” (1919). This began a partnership that resulted in them starring together in fifteen films. Mildred Davis’s filmography includes approximately 36 films between 1916 and 1949. A few of her popular films include “An Eastern Westerner” (1920), “Get Out and Get Under” (1920), and “Safety Last” (1923), The film couple developed a “real life” partnership when they married in 1923. Davis only appeared in one film after the couple tied the knot. The couple had three children. Biographical information reveals they had a relatively strong marriage. In later life she struggled with depression, and drinking problems. Davis was close friends with actresses Marion Davies and Colleen Moore. Mildred Davis died in 1969 . This real photo portrait postcard was published by Ross Verlag of Berlin, Germany. The postcard is part of a series (no. 1254/1). Paramount Film is credited on the front of the postcard. The “You Tube” link below will take you to a tribute to Harold Lloyd and Mildred Davis. The video was created by Diana Calado in 2013.  (SOLD)

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Published in: on March 2, 2017 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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AN ADORABLE CHILD AND A PHOTO BOOK IN ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI

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This vintage photograph captures a most adorable child sitting on a stool/table, resting one foot on a nearby chair. I am uncertain as to whether the child is a boy or a girl but for the purpose of this entry, I will refer to the child as a boy. From his perch, the child looks toward the camera with very engaging eyes and expression. He is wearing an outfit that is part nautical and part “Little Lord Fauntleroy”. He is holding an open book or magazine. There appear to be copies of photo postcards on the book/magazine pages. This photographic portrait was taken by the Schneidt Studio in St. Louis, Missouri. George Gustav Schneidt (1887-1965) and his son operated the studio until 1965.

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Published in: on March 1, 2017 at 12:00 pm  Comments (1)  
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