J. W. Clark, a photographer from Mendota, Illinois, produced this lovely portrait of a young couple. The pair are beautifully dressed and are wearing flowers. This photograph is likely their wedding portrait. Note the young man’s striped suit and long coat. In addition, take notice of the beautiful stitching near the hem of the woman dress. J. W. Clark was born in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania in 1852. In 1881 he began to operate a photography business, succeeding J. L. Gurrard. SOLD
PORTRAIT OF A YOUNG COUPLE IN MENDOTA, ILLINOIS
WOMAN MAKES FASHION STATEMENT IN NORTH LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN
A woman with pursed lips and piercing eyes poses for her portrait at the C. Spettel studio in North La Crosse, Wisconsin. Spettel was located at 720 Rose Street in North La Crosse. Consultation is needed from the cabinet card gallery research department (comprised of informed and expert visitors to the site). Is the subject wearing a scarf wrapped around the top of her dress or is the alleged scarf actually part of her dress? I have not seen many cabinet cards featuring woman wearing similar attire. Research reveals that Clement Spettel (1864-?) learned the business of photography at a young age and started his own business in North La Crosse in 1886. He was soon joined by his brother A. F. Spetel (1866-?). They were in business together from 1887 through 1906.
TWO YOUNG BOYS LOOKING VERY GQ POSE WITH THEIR DOGS IN CEDAR FALLS, IOWA
This old photograph has seen better days but what a terrific image. The photographer, Clay from Cedar Falls, Iowa, took on a great challenge. It is difficult enough to photograph one dog, but Clay had to photograph two dogs and two young boys. Clay was up for the task and the resulting photograph is a visual treat. The boys in this image are dressed like young men. They are wearing jackets and ties Be sure to note their shoes and their hats. Accompanying the boys are two dogs. One canine looks like an airedale while the other resembles a border collie. Amazingly, both the boys and the dogs are looking directly at the camera.
FOUR SAMARITAN HOSPITAL NURSES POSE FOR THEIR PORTRAIT IN SIOUX CITY, IOWA
This photograph features four uniformed nurses posing for their portrait. The names of the subjects are printed on the reverse of the image. Due to poor penmanship, some of the names are difficult to decipher. the women’s names are Kathryn Truesdell, Hadyn, Herbert, and Ethel Sheldon. Time spent researching these names was productive. Kathryn Truesdell was listed as a nurse in the 1911 and 1912 Sioux City Directory. In 1911, her employment was listed as Samaritan Hospital. Lonnie Hayden is listed in both the 1910 and 1911 directory and in 1910 she was reported to be a nurse at Samaritan. Delia Herbert was an Illinois native who was identified as a nurse in the 1909 through 1912 directories. She was also employed at Samaritan for at least part of those years. She was 24 years old at the time of the 1910 US census. Ethel Sheldon was Iowa born and listed as a nurse in the 1910 Sioux City directory. The 1910 US census listed her as being 25 years of age. Ethel Sheldon and and Delia Herbert lived together in what was likely a dormitory or boarding house. The photo postcard below presents Samaritan Hospital (1908) as it appeared close to the time that Nurses Truesdell, Hayden, Herbert, and Sheldon were employed there.
PORTRAIT OF TWO LOVELY LASSES IN BELFAST, IRELAND
Two young women wearing dark dresses pose for their portrait at the Abernathy studio in Belfast, Ireland The standing woman delicately rests her hand on the arm of the seated woman. The seated woman is holding a folded magazine or newspaper on her lap. The photographer’s name and address on the bottom of the cabinet card is gold gilded. Note the royal symbol on the center bottom of the photograph and the small print underneath advertising that Abernathy was a royal appointed photographer. William Abernathy began working as a photographer in 1885. At one point in his career he had seven studios in his province. One source reports that his studios averaged three hundred sittings per day. In 1900 he received a royal appointment and photographed Queen Victoria during her visit to Dublin.
TWO FASHIONABLE LADIES IN DRESDEN, GERMANY
Two beautifully dressed women pose for a photographer in Dresden, Germany. The shorter woman clings securely to the taller women. Both are wearing leather gloves. It appears that the photographer of this image is the Thiele studio though it is unclear why the name “Otto Mayer” is also listed. Perhaps a knowledgeable visitor to the cabinet card gallery can offer clarification. Printing on the reverse of this photograph also indicates that it was taken in 1882. Photographer Hugo Thiele of Dresden is cited in the British Journal of Photography (1876). He was commended for producing a wonderful portrait of a child that had been published by a German publication. Both of the women in this image are identified on the reverse of the photograph. The subjects names are “Nellie Leavet” (from New York) and “Gretchen Von Littichau” (from Dresden). Perhaps Miss Leavet was a friend or relative visiting Miss Von Littichau in Dresden and they commissioned this photograph to commemorate the occasion.
A CONTRAST IN FASHION: TWO GENTLEMEN IN CAIRO, EGYPT
Two men wearing ethnic clothing pose for their portrait at the Horos studio in Cairo, Egypt. Both men are holding canes and wearing similar hats. The gentleman that is standing is wearing western attire in regard to his jacket, vest and tie. His shirt has an interesting collar. The seated man is wearing traditional clothing including a long robe. Hopefully, the cabinet card gallery’s unofficial research department (comprised of knowledgeable visitors to the site) will provide information regarding the clothing worn by the subjects in this photograph.
MOTHER, FATHER AND YOUNG DAUGHTER POSE FOR FAMILY PORTRAIT IN SUTTON, NEBRASKA
A young family is captured in this portrait by Soderberg studio in Sutton, Nebraska. The family is well dressed. The mother is an attractive woman and her daughter is adorable. The little girl stands in front of her parents, clearly front and center in the photograph. One could hazard a guess that she was also front and center in her parents lives. Pont Sonderberg is listed by the Sutton Historical Society as one of the town’s early photographers. Langdon Road, a historical directory of photographers, asserts that Soderberg operated a studio in Sutton between 1890 and 1905. In addition, the directory states that he had previously been in business during the 1880’s as Smith & Soderberg in Marengo, Iowa.
WOMAN LETS HER HAIR DOWN IN BRIGHAM CITY UTAH
A woman with long hair and a long dress poses for her portrait at the A. W. Compton studio in Brigham City, Utah. Her dress has an interesting pattern which clashes with the studio’s carpet. The woman has a far away look in her eyes. Brigham City was founded by Mormon pioneer William Davis who first explored the area in 1850. Brigham Young, the church president, assigned Lorenzo Snow to create a self sufficient city at the site in 1853. Two years later, the town was named Box Elder. Brigham Young gave his last public sermon there and in 1877 the city was renamed in his honor. The photographer of this image was Alma Walter Compton. Utah State University has a collection of 90,000 photographs from the Compton Studio which was operated by three generations of the Compton family beginning in 1884. The collection is said to provide an illustrated history of agriculture, business, social life and education for the town of Brigham City over a span of nearly one hundred years. The Alma Compton House, located in Brigham City, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
CHILD STANDING ON A WICKER CHAIR IN DENVER, COLORADO
Unlike a lot of children photographed during and soon after the cabinet card era, this child is showing some emotion. It’s exciting to be able to stand on a chair and have parental permission to do so. The child looks adorable in his/her plaid outfit. Note the pretty wicker chair. The Nast studio captured this somewhat unfocussed but lovely portrait.
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 