MISS VIOLET CAMERON: SCANDALOUS STAGE ACTRESS

CABINET CARD 1

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CABINET CARD 2
V CAMERON 3_0002CABINET CARD 3

CAMERON FRONTCABINET CARD 4 MISS VIOLET CAMERON : SCANDALOUS STAGE ACTRESS : CDV ; AD FOR MINERAL WATER - Picture 1 of 2CARTE de VISITE 1

Violet Cameron (1862-1919), was an English stage star. She was the niece of burlesque legend Lydia Thompson. Cameron  began her stage career as a child in 1871. She played several child roles at the Drury Lane Pantomime theatre. As an adult, she played many prominent roles in the most important English theatres. In 1886 she came to America and played in “The Commodore” and “Kenilworth”. In 1893 she had great success in the stage play “Morocco Bound”. She was involved in several scandalous love affairs during her stage career.  

Cabinet Card 1 is a product of Elliot & Fry, a prominent London photography studio.

Cabinet Card 2 was produced at the studio of W & D Downey in London, England.

Cabinet Card 3 is also by Downey. She looks lovely in her ruffly dress and her plunging neckline (relative to the cabinet card era) highlights her necklace. The reverse of the cabinet card has the stamp of Charles Ritzmann of New York City indicating that it was once owned by the esteemed purveyor of theatrical photographs.

Cabinet Card 4 also comes from the Downey studio. Cameron appears to be wearing a wedding dress in this cabinet card portrait. 

The reverse of Carte de Visite 1 has an advertisement for Taunus Mineral Water. The natural sparkling water came from Springs located near Frankfurt, Germany. Miss Cameron’s portrait for this carte de visite was taken by the celebrated Walery studio in London, England.

MISS VIOLET CAMERON : SCANDALOUS STAGE ACTRESS : CDV ; AD FOR MINERAL WATER - Picture 2 of 2

CARTE de VISITE 1

Published in: on April 29, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Comments (25)  
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PRETTY WOMAN IN PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA (FASHIONABLE TOO!)

PRETTY WOMAN IN PHILADELPHIA : GIRL NEXT DOOR LOOKS : FASHIONABLE : CABINET CARD - Picture 2 of 3

A beautiful woman, fashionably dressed, is the subject of this cabinet card image. She is perfectly posed by the photographer. The studio that took this photograph is Chandler & Scheetz, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. To view other images by Chandler and Scheetz, click on the category “Photographer: Chandler & Scheetz.  SOLD

Published in: on April 28, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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PRETTY YOUNG WOMANWITH BANGS AND A BUN IN BANGOR, MAINE

A pretty young woman poses for her portrait at the studio of George Lansil in Bangor, Maine. Her hairstyle can be described as “Bangs and a Bun in Bangor”. She is wearing a lace collar. Research reveals that in the late 1800’s, George Lansil was described as a “painstaking, thorough artist” and one of Bangor’s finest photographers. A Maine native, he became established as a photographer in the early 1860’s. By the mid 1880’s, he was located in his Main Street studio, and had 5 assistants. His studio occupied three floors and was comprised of eight rooms. SOLD

Published in: on April 27, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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PRETTY WOMAN BARELY WEARING A NEGLIGEE : NUDE : JEAN AGELOU : PARIS : RPPC

This French vintage nude real photo postcard features a pretty young woman model. Her facial expression can be described as alluring. This photograph is meant to titillate. The young woman is scantily dressed. More of her body is exposed than covered. She is wearing bed clothes, a negligee to be exact. This risque photographic portrait was published by celebrated photographer, Jean Agelou (1878-1921), as part of a series (No.D107). Agelou was a French photographer of the 1910’s and 1920’s who is best known for his erotic and nude photographs. He was born in Egypt and not much is known about his private life. Agelou generally used models between the age of 20 and 24 years-old. Although the 1900’s was the “golden age” of erotic photograph, photographers who took such risque photos had to use discretion. As a result, Agelou signed his work “JA”. In 1908, nudity in photographs was banned in France and photographers had to cover nude women images with strategically placed undergarments or other materials. Nude images had to circulate on the down low. They were sent in the mail inside of envelopes. Jean Agelou died in 1921; the result of a car accident. His brother George, who managed Jean’s business, also was killed in the crash. SOLD

Published in: on April 26, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Comments (1)  
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PORTRAIT OF AN ADORABLE LITTLE GIRL IN OREGON CITY, OREGON

This vintage photograph features an adorable little girl with long hair. She certainly is well dressed. The child is wearing a corsage and is holding a bunch of flowers. Her portrait was taken at the Cheney Studio in Oregon City, Oregon. Interest in photography must have been in the Cheney family genes. The web site “The Art of Historic Photos” reports that at least three siblings in the Cheney family worked as professional photographers. Eston Cheney and his sister Edith both had studios located in Oregon City. Sister Ethel was a partner with Bessie Krumm in a studio at McMinnville, Oregon. Eston operated his studio between 1895 and 1901. Another site, “The Historic Photo Archive” has a different version of the Cheney family history. Eston is reported to be the father of Edith and Ethel Cheney. The reason for there being (Chinese?) writing on the reverse of this photograph, is unknown. SOLD

Published in: on April 25, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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EDWIN BOOTH : RENOWNED STAGE ACTOR : BY GEORGE ROCKWOOD : UNCOMMON CABINET CARD

This stunning cabinet card portrait captures Edwin Booth, one of the most celebrated Shakespearean actors of the 19th century. Taken by renowned photographer George G. Rockwood of New York, the image boasts exceptional clarity and sharp detail, making it an outstanding example of 19th-century portrait photography. Booth is dressed in elegant period attire, featuring a high-collared white shirt with a neatly tied bow tie, a dark waistcoat, and a light-colored overcoat draped over his shoulders. His hair, swept back in soft curls, frames his distinguished face, exuding an air of quiet confidence and introspection. His gaze is directed slightly away from the camera, lending a dramatic and contemplative quality to the portrait—a fitting expression for a man known for his deep and emotional performances on stage. The cabinet card is in very good condition, with minimal signs of wear, and the sepia tones remain rich and well-preserved. The reverse of the card is equally impressive, featuring Rockwood’s distinctive studio imprint, which includes a charming illustration of a cherub holding a painter’s palette and brushes, next to an artist’s easel that advertises the Rockwood studio at 17 Union Square (West), New York. Additionally, there is an inscription at the top that reads: “E. Booth,” a reference to the legendary actor. Edwin Booth (1833–1893) was one of the greatest American actors of the 19th century, best known for his Shakespearean roles, particularly Hamlet, which he performed more than 100 times—an unprecedented feat at the time. His extraordinary talent and deep emotional connection to his roles earned him widespread acclaim in both America and Europe. Despite his artistic triumphs, Booth’s life was forever overshadowed by his brother’s infamous act—John Wilkes Booth’s assassination of President Abraham Lincoln in 1865. The tragedy devastated Edwin, who was a staunch Unionist and had publicly opposed his brother’s views. He briefly retired from the stage but later returned, determined to restore his family’s name through his craft. In 1888, he founded The Players Club in New York City, a private social club for actors, which still exists today. The Booth family was a dynasty of performers—Edwin’s father, Junius Brutus Booth, was an acclaimed English actor, and his brothers, John Wilkes Booth and Junius Brutus Booth Jr., also pursued theatrical careers. However, Edwin’s talent and legacy far outshone the rest of his family, cementing his place as one of America’s greatest classical actors. The photographer of Mr. Booth was George Rockwood (1832-1911). He was a renowned photographer whose studio was located in New York City. Rockwood was born in Troy, New York and graduated from college with a PhD, reportedly either from the University of Chicago, or Columbia University. At 21 years of age, he was a newspaper reporter for the Troy Daily Times and at age 23, he was managing editor of the Troy Daily Post. He began working as a photographer in St. Louis and in 1857 opened a studio with his brother Elihu in New York City. He has been credited with bringing CDV’s to America. His obituary in the Washington Post reports that Rockwood photographed  more than 350,000 people. SOLD

Published in: on April 24, 2025 at 12:15 pm  Leave a Comment  
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PRETTY YOUNG WOMAN WITH HER GUITAR : RISQUE : VINTAGE RPPC 1914

This vintage real photo postcard features a pretty young woman posing with her guitar. Her plunging neckline makes this a risque postcard. The card was published by Adolph Engel (Berlin, Germany) and is part of a series (No.2504/4). SOLD

Published in: on April 22, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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PORTRAIT OF TWO TOUGH LOOKING SOLDIERS (RUSSIAN? WORLD WAR II?)

cc stein 5 This photograph is enigmatic. Who are these soldiers? What nation’s army do they serve in? I know that a number of Russian Army helmets have similar stars. What do the rectangular insignias mean that appear on both sides of the helmet’s star? What is the translation of the inscription on the reverse of the photo and what language is it written in? Note the men’s weapons slung over their shoulders.  SOLD

Published in: on April 21, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Comments (1)  

MOUNT SINAI, LONG ISLAND, NY : PIPE STAVE HOLLOW CABIN RENTAL : ANTI SEMITISM

This vintage postcard features two sides, each depicting lithographic prints of cabins located in “Historic Pipe Stave Hollow” in Mount Sinai, Long Island, New York. The purpose of the postcard is to advertise cabin rentals in a secluded, rustic area near the Long Island Sound, and it offers a glimpse into mid-20th-century marketing practices, including discriminatory policies. The lithographic image on the front showcases a cabin surrounded by a dense grove of trees. The setting is tranquil and woodsy, suggesting a retreat-like atmosphere. The caption below the image reads: “$2,000 Cabin in Historic Pipe Stave Hollow, Mount Sinai, Long Island.” This implies that the cabin was valued at $2,000—a significant sum at the time. The image emphasizes the natural beauty of the area, with dappled sunlight filtering through the trees, creating an idyllic appeal for potential renters. The reverse side contains another lithographic image, this time of a smaller, simpler cabin nestled among the trees. The text below describes the rental terms “Rent: $165 for a furnished cabin from March to November, Amenities: The cabin features four rooms, an inside flush toilet, a kitchen sink, and an outdoor shower, and Setting: The cabins are located in a “rocky wooded glen near Long Island Sound,” further promoting the serene, natural environment. Other cabins in the same area are advertised for higher rents ($200–$300), likely reflecting size or location differences. “Pipe Stave Hollow” in Mount Sinai, Long Island, is described as a historically significant location. This area may have derived its name from a historical use of the land, such as for the manufacturing of pipe staves (wooden pieces used in barrels or pipes), a practice common in colonial times. This postcard is anti-semitic. The postcard explicitly states, “We prefer Christians,” revealing a discriminatory and anti-Semitic policy that was unfortunately commonplace in certain regions and industries during the early 20th century. This statement provides insight into the social and cultural climate of the period, emphasizing the exclusionary practices that were socially tolerated at the time. This postcard likely dates to the 1920’s or 1930’s. SOLD

Published in: on April 20, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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PORTRAIT OF FOUR LOVELY SIBLINGS IN NEVADA, IOWA

nevada, iowa

nevada, iowa 1

This cabinet card photograph features a lovely group of siblings posing at the Reynolds studio in Nevada, Iowa. The children are nicely dressed. They are not members of a poor family. Preliminary research did not identify any biographical information about the photographer, However, the cabinet card gallery does exhibit another cabinet card image from a photographer in Iowa. J. H. Reynolds was a photographer who operated out of Burlington, Iowa. Perhaps he also had a studio in Nevada.   SOLD

nevada, iowa 3

Published in: on April 19, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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