Pretty theater actress Marguerite Fish is the subject of this portrait cabinet card by Naegeli whose studio was located in New York City. Miss Fish began her stage career with her mother. They performed as a song and dance team known as Jenny Benson and Baby Benson. Later, she became known as Marguerite Fish and was a comic opera and musical actress. She has a number of mentions in the New York Times for her stage performances. These citations include appearances in “Our Wedding Day” (1887) and “The Crystal Slipper” (1888). Albert Naegeli, the photographer of this image, was a well known New York City photographer during the cabinet card era. To learn more about him and to view more of his photographs, click on the category “Photographer: Naegeli”.
PORTRAIT OF PRETTY THEATER ACTRESS MARGUERITE FISH IN NEW YORK CITY
PORTRAIT OF A HANDSOME UNIFORMED FRENCH SOLDIER
This cabinet card portrait features a handsome French soldier in uniform. He appears to be an officer judging by the braids on his shoulder but I am uncertain of his rank. The photographer of this image is Eugene de Paris. Interestingly, Eugene was not actually located in Paris but instead operated his studio in Toulon, a city in southern France. Advertising on the reverse of the cabinet card indicates that Eugene de Paris won photography medals at the Exposition of 1873. This exposition was likely the World Exposition which was held in Vienna in 1873. SOLD
A HANDSOME GROOM WEDS A PENSIVE BRIDE IN ALBERT LEA, MINNESOTA
This cabinet card features a well dressed handsome groom and his pretty pensive bride. The bride and groom are bedecked with flowers and are wearing white gloves and serious expressions. The reverse of the cabinet card has a penciled inscription stating “Mrs. Torborg Halvorsen”. This creates some interesting speculation considering that the photographers name is also Halvorsen. Is this the photographers wedding photo? Is the bride or groom in this image a child of the photographer? Preliminary research failed to answer these questions. However, it was learned that there was a photographer named J. R. Halvorsen who operated in Albert Lea, Minnesota between 1886 and 1887. He is certainly the photographer of this image but the exact identity of the subjects in this portrait remain unknown. It is important to note that Halvorsen, a Norwegian name, was not an uncommon name in Minnesota. Minnesota had many residents of Norwegian origin or roots from Norway.
FOUR SWEET BOYS WEARING SAILOR SUITS IN PRAGUE, CZECHOSLOVAKIA
T. F. Langhans is the photographer of this cabinet card portrait featuring four sweet boys wearing sailor suits. Langhans’s studio was located in Prague, Czechoslovakia. An advertisement on the cabinet card states “Photographe de la Cour D’Autriche” which translated means “Photographer of the Court of Austria”. To learn more about Langhans and view more of his images, click on the category “Photographer: Langhans”.
PRETTY YOUNG WOMAN AND HER CUTE BABY DRESSED FOR WINTER IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN
This cabinet card portrait features a pretty young mother and her small child. Both of the subjects are dressed in winter clothing. Mom is wearing a coat with a fur collar and fur sleeve cuffs. Both mother and child are bright eyed and seem to be relaxed and playful with the process of being photographed. The photographer of this image is C. A. Millard of Detroit, Michigan. To view more of his photographs and to learn more about him, click on the category “Photographer: Millard”.
PORTRAIT OF AN ADORABLE YOUNG LAD IN DUNDEE, NEW YORK
This cabinet card features an adorable well dressed little boy posing by a faux wall in the Brace studio in Dundee, New York. Note his cap, bow tie, double breasted jacket, boots, and cool expression. (SOLD)
PORTRAIT OF AN ACTRESS NAMED ROBEL IN AN UNUSUAL DRESS
The pretty subject of this cabinet card was photographed by celebrity photographer Napoleon Sarony at his New York City Studio. She is dressed in an unusual fashion and is likely in costume. The woman is probably an actress. Penciled on the reverse of the photograph is the name “Robel”. Preliminary research proved to be unsuccessful in identifying an actress with that name. (SOLD)
MEET JETTIE OFFERLEE: A WIDE EYED YOUNG GIRL AND HER CUTE DOG IN WARREN, PENNSYLVANIA
The pretty wide eyed young girl sitting in the wicker chair snuggling with her cute dog is named Jettie Offerle. Her name is listed on the reverse of the photograph. The child appears to be happy as she poses for the image. She has long hair and is wearing a plaid dress. Her dog appears to be a cocker spaniel or a poodle. The photograph was taken at the Savage studio in Warren, Pennsylvania. G. W. Savage was the photographer of this vintage photograph. His son, Charles A. Savage (1912-1972) was a noted photographer and taught photography at a college that became the Rochester Institute of Technology. Research disclosed that this child’s actual name was Jetta Offerlee. The 1900 US census reveals that Jetta lived with her mother, Lottie V, Offerlee and her sister and brother-in-law. The family lived in Warren. Lottie was born in Sweden and at the time of the census worked as a dressmaker. The 1910 census found Jetta, age 21, still living in Warren but living as a boarder and working as a stenographer for an insurance company. Further research disclosed that Jetta married a man named Raymond S. Thorpe. She died at age 75 (1963) in Mount Lebanon, Pennsylvania.
A FATHER AND HIS YOUNG SON: FIRST AND SECOND VIOLIN IN NORTH ADAMS, MASSACHUSETTS
This cabinet card features a father and son posing for their portrait at a photography studio in North Adams, Massachusetts. Both father and son are standing by their violins. Sheet music rests on a music stand. Hopefully the boy has memorized his part because there is no way he is going to be able to read the music due to it being elevated so far above his head. Dad seems to be rather self absorbed as he poses for the camera. It is as if he is oblivious to the presence of his son. It is interesting that the photographer chose to photograph the musical pair in a faux outdoor setting. Placing the subjects in a faux parlor or music room seems more appropriate. Nevertheless, this is a terrific photograph. I have been unable to decipher the photographers name and would appreciate any assistance in the effort from any cabinet card gallery visitor. Visitors have played an important role in providing research and background information throughout the gallery’s history and their efforts are greatly appreciated. SOLD
EYES WIDE OPEN: BABY POSES IN ROCKING CHAIR IN EAST CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS
This vintage photograph features a baby posing in a rocking chair at the Cambridge Studio in East Cambridge, Massachusetts. The baby is wearing a gown and has a necklace around her neck. Her expression looks like she is trying to make sense out of the situation as she poses in front of the photographer. This portrait is unusual in that the photographer chose to produce an excessively close-up portrait.
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 