This cabinet card features five members of a brass band dressed in uniform. The band band does not appear to be an “ordinary” community band. The woman seated in the center of the bottom row has a bible on her lap. The band has the look of a salvation army band but they are not wearing salvation army uniforms. Most likely, these musicians are members of a religious based service organization. Perhaps a visitor to the cabinet card gallery will be able to identify the organization that these band members represent. This cabinet card is notable for its clarity and for the detailed view of the musical instruments. The photographer of this cabinet card was the Hillman studio of Richland Center, Wisconsin. The 1900 US census reports that William J. Hillman was a 51 year-old photographer, born in New York, and living in Richland Center with his wife Caroline (age 54) and his son Charles B. (age 22). Charles B.Hillman was listed as working as a photographer. The Photographic Times (1907) printed a paper read by Hillman. The paper was entitled ” The Successful Photographer” and the advice given in his presentation was excellent and would be relevant and helpful to modern day business owners. If Hillman was alive today, he would have been an incredible business consultant. The Bulletin of Photography (1914) contains an announcement that the Hillman studio was sold to Frank Dickson.
BAND OF MUSICIANS IN RICHLAND CENTER, WISCONSIN
MEMORIAL PHOTOGRAPH OF BRITISH SAILOR IN MALTA
E. Grech Cumbo was a photographer on the island of Malta. His studio was located at 14 Strada Street in the city of Valleta. Cumbo produced this cabinet card of a British sailor (nationality needs to be confirmed). Stenciled on the photograph, above the cushion on which the sailor rests his arms, are the words, “In Loving Memory”. This photograph likely served as a memorial card for this young man’s crew mate friends. To view other examples of memorial photographs, click on the category “Memorial Card”.
BUFFALO LADY DISCOVERED UNDER GIGANTIC OUTRAGEOUS HAT
A nicely dressed and beautiful young woman poses for her portrait at the Werner Art Gallery. A. L. Werner operated his studio out of 101-103 Genesee Street in Buffalo, New York. The woman is identified on the reverse of the photograph as “Aunt Christine”. She appears to be very fashionable but her millinery taste is somewhat suspect. By today’s standards, her hat can best be described as ostentatious. However, her choice in headwear was likely quite stylish for her time. To view other photographs by Werner and to learn more about him, click on the category “Photographer: Werner”.
BROTHERS IN YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO (DAVID AND RICHARD EVANS)
David L Evans and his brother Richard pose for a photographer located in Youngstown Ohio. I can not make out the photographers name. It may be Peck. The brothers are dressed fashionably for this portrait. The older brother seems affectionate and protective toward his sibling. Note the boys ears. The ears are unusually shaped.The 1880 census finds an Evans family in Youngstown with sons named David (age 2) and Richard (age 6 months). It is important to point out that the David in the census and the David in this photograph have different middle initials. However, it is not uncommon for middle initials to be listed incorrectly both in the census and when written on photographs. The census lists the Evan’s parents as being named Thomas and Mahala. Thomas was a furnace worker and he and his wife were born in Wales.
DALMATION ON A RUG IN ARCADE, NEW YORK
This unique cabinet card is certainly not in great condition. A previous owner trimmed the card to fit it into a frame. In addition, the image has a major crease running through most of the left side. Worse yet, the image was marred by an epidemic of black spots appearing on the body and face of the dog. Why would someone deface this terrific photograph by putting black dots all over this cute dog’s picture? I’m just kidding. Actually, this cabinet card features a Dalmation. The Dalmation breed originated in the Republic of Croatia. There was research conducted about this breed as early as the 1700’s. The breed itself was developed and cultivated in England. Speaking of England, the photographer who produced this photograph has the last name of Churchill. His studio was located in Arcade, New York. Clark E. Churchill is cited in the 1880 census. He is listed as 32 years of age and married to Ella Churchill (age 27). His occupation is described as photographer. In 1900 the couple remained in Arcade and Clark was working as Postmaster. The 1920 census also includes Clark and Ella living in Arcade. Clark is described as a retired merchant. To view other cabinet cards featuring dogs, click on the category “Dogs”.
A MOTHER AND HER TWO DAUGHTERS ENJOY A WOODEN SWING SET IN UNKNOWN LOCATION
This cabinet card features a rare prop. The photograph captures two young girls swinging on a wooden swing set under the watchful eye of their mother. Although individual swings are not an unusual prop in cabinet card photography, this is the first cabinet card that I have seen which displays an entire swing set. In addition, most cabinet photos of swings are taken in studio, while this image appears to have been taken outside. Looking at the children’s faces under magnification shows that at least the oldest child appears to be enjoying herself as she poses for this picture. The older girl possesses a big smile. The jury is out on whether the youngest girl is having a good time. One of the girls appears to have lost her hat. Note the upside down hat on the ground below the swing. Both the name of the photographer of this image, as well as the location of photographer’s studio, is unknown.
PRETTY AND FASHIONABLE YOUNG WOMAN IN PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA
A young woman poses for her portrait in the studio of Louis Blaul located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The bejeweled woman is very attractive and dressed beautifully. She has accessorized herself with a necklace, ring and earrings. To view other photographs by Blaul, and to learn more about him, click on the category “Photographer: Blaul”.
ATTRACTIVE VICTORIAN COUPLE IN NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND
Studio Karoly produced this cabinet card portrait of an attractive couple in Nottingham, England. The gentleman in the photograph has a terrific mustache, striped pants and a polka dot tie. Note his pocket watch and pocket handkerchief. He is fashionably dressed and so is his wife. She is holding flowers and is wearing a very busy hat. The photographer, Frederick Karoly is mentioned in The Law Times (1894) in regard to his entering bankruptcy. A photograph of Karoly’s appears in The Photogram (1895) in an article about artificial light portraiture.
“WHAT’S MY LINE?”: OCCUPATIONAL CABINET CARD PORTRAIT OF TWO MEN IN GORMANIA, WEST VIRGINIA
This cabinet card features two men dressed for work and holding some sort of tool or scraper. They appear to be wearing leather work aprons. This is a wonderful example of an occupational cabinet card but unfortunately, it is not clear what these men’s occupation happens to be. It has been suggested that the men may be textile workers. The photographer of this image is John Randolph Schaeffer. He seems to have forgotten that this studio photograph was supposed to depict an outside scene. That is unless it is common to see curtains hanging in the outdoors in Gormania, West Virginia. Schaeffer was born on a Gormania farm in 1858. His family was of German heritage. After finishing school at age twenty, he entered the teaching profession. He pursued his education career for seventeen years; during his last year (1909) he was a principal of a school. During his education career he earned a Masters Degree in Didactics and also did photography. He entered the business of photography after leaving teaching. His studio not only was a photographic gallery, but it also sold photo supplies, jewelry, and other commodities. He was also appointed by President Woodrow Wilson to the position of postmaster for two terms. In his spare time he supported the Democratic party and was a member of Odd Fellows. He married Susie C. Miller in 1894 and the couple had seven children. The Library of Congress lists Schaeffer as holding at least two copyrights. He also published a view book entitled From Baltimore to Charleston (1906). The book was cited by one reviewer as containing “magnificent scenery” photographs. The town of Gormania has had a number of names. Its present name honors a US Senator from Maryland , Arthur Gorman. One of the towns previous names was Schaefferville, named after early settler Jacob Schaeffer (father of photographer John Schaeffer). Jacob Schaeffer and one of his sons owned and operated the town’s first tannery. The business was sold in 1889. We know a lot about the photographer of this portrait but still don’t have any idea of the occupation of the two subjects in the photograph. Lets play “What’s My Line?”. Hopefully, some cabinet card gallery visitors will leave comments with their hypotheses about the type of work the men in this portrait did. My uninformed guess is that the subjects in this photograph are tannery workers.
ARMED SOLDIER POSES OUTDOORS IN BRISTOL, PENNSYLVANIA
A soldier, armed with a rifle, poses for his portrait in Bristol, Pennsylvania. He appears to be standing outside but it is possible that he actually is posed in front of an excellent backdrop of an outside scene. The young man is in uniform wearing a long coat, cape, and hat. He appears to have a bayonet at his side. The previous owner of this cabinet card stated that he was an Indian War era soldier but I am wondering if he may be more likely from the Spanish American War era. Perhaps a visitor to the cabinet card gallery will enlighten us about the time period that this soldier served. There are a number of knowledgeable military collectors that visit this site who always are happy to share their wealth of information. The photographer of this image has the last name of Schafer and his studio was located on Otter Street. Judging by the monogram below the photograph, his first initial appears to be “A”. No further information about the photographer was located.
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 