This cabinet card features pretty actress Nellie Howe in a risque stage costume. The photographer and the location of the studio that produced this image is unknown. Research revealed no information about Miss Howe. This photograph is likely an early cabinet card, dating back to the 1870’s or 1880’s.
A young woman poses for the camera at the studio of Arthur & Philbric in Detroit, Michigan. She is wearing an unusually loud patterned blouse. Note the subjects fingerless gloves and collar pin. The Arthur & Philbric Studio had galleries in Detroit and Grand Rapids, Michigan, as well as in Toledo, Ohio. Research revealed some information about James Arthur (1855-1912). He was a native of Montreal, Canada and first began work as a photographer with the well known J. and J. W. Notman studio. He came to Detroit in 1881 and went to work with photographer J. E. Watson. In 1883 he became senior partner in the firm of Arthur & Philbric and they remained in business together for eight years. He then became sole proprietor of a firm called Arthur Studios. Research also yielded information about Philbric. Most notable is that Philbric was a woman. Her name was Helen M. Philbric and her name appears in Michigan business directories as Arthur’s partner between 1884 and 1893. No other information about Philbric was discovered. To view the work of other female photographers, click on the category “Female Photographers”.
This cabinet card features a couple posing for their portrait at the studio of A. H. Hall in Chatsworth, Illinois. The gentleman has an interesting long and narrow beard, The woman has a dress with many buttons and is wearing a pin on her collar. Note the mans hat is on the floor directly in front of where the couple is sitting. It is not uncommon to see cabinet card portraits that include hats prominently displayed on the floor. Perhaps the hats were viewed as important enough to belong in the picture but it was considered inappropriate to wear hats indoors. The couple in this photograph are identified on the reverse as Joseph and Ella Francis. Investigation reveals that Joseph Francis served in the civil war. In 1864 he enlisted as a private in Company D of the Illinois 45th Infantry Regiment.He mustered out as a private in 1865. The 1880 US census identifies Joseph S. Francis (1846-1930) as a farmer of Irish descent living in Illinois. The 1910 census finds the Ohio born, Francis living in Forrest, Illinois and working as a railroad car inspector. He was 64 years old at the time and living with his wife Ella Svedaker Williamson Francis (1862-1938) and four of their children. The 1930 census that Joseph Francis, at age 84, was still employed. He was working as an assessor for his township. Research found death certificates for both Joseph (1930) and Ella (1938). The photographer of this image was Albert H. Hall. The History of Livingston County (1878) provides a brief biography of Hall. He was born in 1849 and at age 22 went to Chicago to learn the trade of photography. In 1872 he moved to Chartsworth and opened a photography and gem gallery. He married a woman named Dora Knapp.
This cabinet card features a portrait of adorable siblings named Herman and Clara Stephens and a porcelain doll standing on a miniature chair. The children are wearing overalls and cute hats. The photograph was produced by the Mickelson studio in Dwight, Illinois. The photograph is dated 1897.
The Cabinet Card Gallery is fortunate to have many historical fashion experts among its visitors. Hopefully, one or more of them will leave comments that offer an explanation about the history behind the hats seen in this cabinet card. The two women featured in this image are wearing shawls and massive hats. Are these hats part of a uniform or costume of some sort of order or organization? Are these hats on steroids? There is no identifying information concerning the subjects or the photographer written on either side of the cabinet card.
The three men posing for this portrait have an intriguing appearance. Who are these guys? What do they do for a living? They look like “tough guys”. The men are well dressed and are wearing terrific hats with brims folded in strategic places. All three men have neat mustaches and the fellow on the left is wearing wire rim glasses. The photo studio was named Kordyan and the studio was located in Lwow, Poland. In 1945, Lwow became part of the Ukraine and was called Lvov. In 1991, after Ukraine’s independence, the city was renamed Lviv. Research reveals that the studio Kordyan was opened on the 5th floor in a building now housing the “Old City Hostel”. The gallery existed in the building until 1914 and was owned by Bethold Feyershtayn. The address is currently known as 3 Klinskoho Street.
A young well dressed African American man poses for his portrait at the Moore studio in Denison, Texas. The town of Denison was founded in 1872 in conjunction with the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad. In 1875, famed western gambler, gunfighter, and dentist, John Henry Holliday (Doc Holliday), had offices in Denison. Doc Holliday is also known for his great friendship and shared exploits with lawman Wyatt Earp.
This photograph features a nice looking well dressed couple posing with an open book. The photographer is Joseph Meier of Glatz, Germany. The city of Glatz is located in lower Silesia. A date written on the reverse of the photograph indicates that it was taken in 1914.
This cabinet card features Amalia Mignon Hauck (1851-1929). She was best known as Minnie Hauk and she was a celebrated American opera soprano. Minnie Hauk was born in New York City and as a child also lived in Rhode Island and Kansas. She studied voice with Achille Errani and had her debut in Brooklyn at age 14. Her New York City debut occurred when she was fifteen years of age. She sang Juliette in the American premiere of “Romeo et Juliette” in 1867. She performed in London in 1868 and in Paris the following year. She was the first American “Carmen” (1878). Unfortunately her fame and success did not last throughout her life. By 1918 she was in poverty and nearly blind. To see other photographs by Alfred S. Campbell and to learn more about him, click on the category “Photographer: Campbell”.
This cabinet card features an unidentified young girl who appears to be deep in concentration as she practices playing her violin. Note the music stand. You may have seen similar stands at your local antique store or antique show. This image was produced at the Dobler studio in Warren, Illinois. Research yielded no information about Dobler or his studio
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