Photographer Arturo Stinco took this wonderful portrait of a young boy and his pedal car. The boy has long hair and is wearing a large bow. Judging by his clothing and his expensive toy car, he is likely from a very well-to-do family. The boy’s name is written on the reverse of the photograph. His name is Carlos Aguerra (possibly Aguerro). The photographer’s studio was located in the Argentinian town of Coronel Suarez. This town was founded in 1883 and is in the Buenos Aires province of Argentina. It was named after Manuel Isidoro Suarez (1799-1841) who was an Argentinian army colonel who fought in wars of independence against the Spanish.
A BOY AND HIS PEDAL CAR IN CORONEL SUAREZ, ARGENTINA
PRETTY YOUNG LADY IN SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK
A pretty young lady poses for photographer R. E. Atkinson at his studio at 257 and 259 State Street in Schenectady, New York. The young woman in this image has a look that exudes an abundance of personality. Photographers took great pride in their work which is evident in Atkinson’s advertisement on the reverse of the photograph which states his occupation as “Artist and Photographer”. Atkinson worked as a photographer in Schenectady from at least 1885 through 1888 when he was succeeded by a firm called Smith and Talbott. In 1906 he shows up in the Schenectady business directory again but this time his profession is listed as “nursery stock”. Research reveals that during the 1870’s Atkinson worked as a photographer in Troy, New York.
WEDDING COUPLE IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
A. C. Paris, the proprietor of the City Gallery of San Antonio, Texas, produced this elegant wedding portrait . On the reverse of the cabinet card is an inscription stating “Alex Rossy, Josephine Fink’s father”. The cabinet card’s edges are gold embossed and scalloped. Census research reveals that the groom in this image, Alex Rossy (1862-1925) was the son of Charles and Aminda Rossy. Alex’s father was of Austrian ancestry. The 1880 US census reports that Alex was the fourth of seven children living in the Rossy’s home. San Antonio business directories assert that Alex’s occupation for many years was “Cigar Manufacturer”. Josephine Fink was actually Josephine Rossy Fink (1897-1980) and she was the daughter of Alex Rossy. She later became the wife of Lewis Fink.
THREE DASHING YOUNG MEN WEARING BIZARRE HATS IN VIENNA, AUSTRIA
This photograph features three well dressed men wearing bizarre hats. Why are they wearing these hats? Perhaps a cabinet card gallery visitor can leave a comment offering a plausible explanation. One wonders if the men are trying to be funny. This image is truly an unusual photograph. The photographer is Oskar Liessner who’s studio was located in Vienna, Austria.
STAGE ACTRESS MATTIE VICKERS COYLY POSES IN NEW YORK CITY
Stage actress Mattie Vickers poses for this cabinet card image at the Anderson studio in New York City. Anderson photographed many celebrities and more of his photographs can be seen by clicking on category “Photographer: Anderson (New York)”. During the early 1900’s, Vickers was one of the the sweethearts of American musical comedy. Her father was a retired actor who ran a boarding house. She made her theatrical debut in vaudeville in the mid 1870’s. In 1877 she married her manager, Charlie Rogers. He died in 1888 after which she toured the country playing starring roles in plays such as “Circus Queen” and “Edelweiss”. A portrait of Mattie Vickers ran in The National Police Gazette (1886). The accompanying text described her as the “sprightly and vivacious young American soubrette” and “the cleverest rough-and-tumble soubrette on the American stage”. No need to visit a dictionary to discover the definition of the word “soubrette”. A soubrette is simply someone who plays a minor female role in a comedy. The reverse of the cabinet card has been stamped by George D. Russell of Tremont Street in Boston, Massachusetts. Research reveals that Mr. Russell was a well known music publisher in Boston. Perhaps he also was involved in the sale of theatrical cabinet cards.
OLDER GENTLEMAN WITH LONG WHITE BEARD IN PAWTUCKET, RHODE ISLAND
The Salisbury studio in Pawtucket, Rhode Island produced this cabinet card portrait of an elderly man with a long white beard. His beard is very impressive but one wonders how he ate without wearing his food. To view other interesting beards click on the category “Beards (Only The Best)”. The photographer was Arnold F. Salisbury. His name can be found in many Pawtucket city directories of the 1880’s. At one time his studio was located at 65 Mill Street. He is considered by “Classy Arts” photo history site as one of America’s most productive photographers during the Carte De Visite era (he is among over 200 photographers so designated). Salisbury’s obituary appears in the Bulletin of Photography (1918). In the brief article it is mentioned that Salisbury was a civil war veteran. Further research revealed that he was a private in the 1st Regiment Rhode Island Infantry (company E) for three months in 1861. He later served as a second sergeant in the 9th Regiment Rhode Island Infantry (Company A) and as a first lieutenant in the 12th Regiment Rhode Island Infantry (Company H).
SASSY BRIDE AND HER GROOM IN CENTRAL FALLS, RHODE ISLAND
J. C. Prince’s Photo Art Studio produced this wonderful wedding portrait. The photographer was located on Broad Street in Central Falls, Rhode Island. The couple are formally dressed and accompanied by flowers galore including a garland around the neck of the pretty bride. The groom has a happy twinkle in his eyes and his new bride appears to be quite sassy. Perhaps her sassiness is related to his happiness. In fact, both the bride and the groom seem to be very content on their wedding day. Their happiness is quite different than what is usually seen in most wedding day images from this era. More typically, photographed newly weds look like they are at their best friend’s funeral.
WEDDING COUPLE IN LINCOLN, ILLINOIS (WHO SAID “NOTHING BEARING THE NAME LINCOLN EVER AMOUNTED TO MUCH”?)
A couple pose for their wedding portrait in Lincoln, Illinois. The photographer is E. B. Core. The bride is wearing a dark wedding dress and the groom is wearing a corsage. The story behind how Lincoln, Illinois received its name is quite interesting. The town is the only town named for Lincoln before he became President of the United States. He worked as an attorney in the town between 1847 and 1859. The town was named Lincoln in 1853 and during the ceremony, Abe Lincoln christened the town by pouring watermelon juice on the ground. When it was originally proposed to name the town after Lincoln, Mr Lincoln stated that he was against the idea and that in his experience, “Nothing bearing the name of Lincoln ever amounted to much”.
HANDSOME AND WELL DRESSED YOUNG GENTLEMAN IN BANGOR, MAINE
Chalmers studio in Bangor, Maine produced this photograph of a formally dressed and handsome young man. The reverse of the photograph has the subject’s name and a few more details listed. The fellows name is C. L. (possibly G. L.) Surall of the University of Maine, class of 1899. This image is likely a graduation picture.
TWO YOUNG WOMEN HOLDING HANDS IN HUDSON, NEW YORK
This curious photograph features two young women holding hands. The photographer is Sullivan Brothers of Hudson, New York. To view other photographs by the Sulllivan Brothers, click on the category “Photographer: Sullivan Brothers”.
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 