Thomas Friedman’s best selling book “The World is Flat” was published in 2005. This cabinet card photograph demonstrates that the world has been flat for a number of centuries. This image features a Portuguese family and their maid, posing for their portrait in Bombay, India. It is likely that their maid is Indian, given their location at the time of the photograph. The family consists of parents and their three sons. Five first names are written on the reverse of the cabinet card, but they can not be listed, because of legibility and language barriers. The photograph is dated 1888. The photographer is Joseph D. Coutinho of Bombay, India.
PORTRAIT OF A PORTUGUESE FAMILY IN BOMBAY, INDIA (THE WORLD WAS FLAT EVEN BACK IN THE 1880’S)
A MAN AND HIS BIKE IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
This cabinet card features a young man posing with his bicycle. His “ride” is very “tricked out”. Check out the accessories. The bike has a large headlight and something that looks like a “fanny pack” hanging from the seat. Hopefully, a visitor to the cabinet card gallery can explain the purpose of the “fanny pack”. Visitor feedback would also be appreciated concerning the gentleman’s necktie. One hesitates to call it a necktie because it seems to be a collection of items including cotton balls, and possibly, a small round framed photograph. The tie is sort of like a “charm tie”. The gentleman’s cap looks great and will help keep his hair in place while riding. The photographer is Lewitz whose studio was located in Chicago, Illinois. Research found two photographers in Chicago sharing the name of Lewitz. Charles Lewitz operated a studio at 1643 North Robey Street. This address was next door to where this cabinet card was photographed; indicating that Charles was the likely photographer of this image. However, life is rarely that simple. Complicating matters is the fact that Emil Lewitz was a photographer who had a gallery at 1843 North Robey Street. Most likely, Charles and Emil were related and ran all three studios, each one at different points of time. It appears that the photographer of this cabinet card was an enterprising man. An advertisement on the reverse of the card notes “Photographs Taken of Houses and Groups”. To view other photographs by the Lewitzs’, click on the category “Photographer: Lewitz”.
MEMORIAL CARD BY MOSHER OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
This cabinet card served as a memorial to the gentleman pictured in the image. The photograph was taken by the Mosher Gallery of Chicago, Illinois. The cabinet card is dated 1891. This cabinet card is particularly interesting because the Brisbois International Memorial Portrait Company is also listed as producing the photograph. Research revealed no information about the Brisbois Company. Was Brisbois a subsidiary of Mosher’s gallery? Printed on the center bottom of the card, is an advertisement stating that the Memorial Portraits could be purchased at the cost of five dollars per dozen. It seems rather unseemly that the studio would put prices on the front of actual Memorial Cards purchased by grieving families. It is possible that this cabinet card was used as a sample to help sell Memorial Portraits to customers. Mosher was a well known and talented photographer. To learn more about him, click on the category “Photographer: Mosher”.
A EUROPEAN SOLDIER AND HIS BRIDE
A soldier and his bride pose for their wedding portrait at the studio of Balde, located in either Salzburg, Wildbad, Gastein, Znaim or Retz. These cities are located in different countries; Austria, Germany and Czech Republic. The studio was formerly known as Wagner & Leeb. The soldier in this photograph has been identified as German by the former owner of the image, but the accuracy of this identification is uncertain. The bride is holding flowers and dressed in a bridal dress. The groom is in his dress uniform. Note that his helmet is on the table beside him. The cabinet card gallery must depend on its helpful and informed unpaid research department (composed of visitors to the site) to identify the groom’s army affiliation and rank.
ATTRACTIVE COUPLE IN HOLYOKE, MASSACHUSETTS
This cabinet card features an attractive couple posing for their portrait at the studio of W. B. Miles, in Holyoke, Massachusetts. The gallery was located at 151 High Street. The attractive and shapely young woman is wearing a corset and beautiful dress. The gentleman is holding a walking stick; and a chain from his pocket watch is evident under his jacket.To view other photographs by Mr. Miles, click on the category “Photographer: Miles”.
ADORABLE BABY IN A WASHBOWL IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND
A very cute baby poses for a photographer, artistically placed in a washbowl. The baby appears inquisitive about the proceedings. Bachrach & Bro. is the studio that produced this portrait. The gallery was located in Baltimore, Maryland. Kudos for the photographer for this creative close-up image. The Bachrach studio was nationally known and is still known today. David Bachrach (1845-1921) was an American commercial photographer based in Baltimore. He made significant contributions in technical, artistic and professional advancements in the field of photography. He was a national spokesperson for photographers and published many articles and photographs in photography journals. He experimented with self toning papers and developed the first practical process of photographic printing on canvas, a precursor to photo engraving. Bachrach Inc., founded in 1910, is still headed by the Bachrach family. The company owned studios in all major east coast cities. One of Bachrach’s earliest photographs was taken on assignment to cover the dedication of the Soldiers National Cemetery at Gettysburg in 1863. He photographed President Lincoln delivering what would become, a very famous speech. Bachrach’s home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. He once shared the home with a celebrated relative, Gertrude Stein. Among his famous portraits are images of Ulysses Grant, Theodore Roosevelt,Mark Twain, and Alexander Graham Bell. Bachrach’s business was truly a family business. Among the relatives who were involved in the business was a brother, a son, and two grandsons.
TWO DANDIES IN THE WOODS IN EVANSVILLE, INDIANA
This cabinet card features two well-dressed men posing for their portrait in a studio belonging to J. W. Ecker. The studio was located in Evansville, Indiana and at one time was called the Sunbeam Gallery. . The men in this photograph are wearing identical outfits. Note their striped pants, derby hats and canes. The man on the left is holding a cigar. They are posed in front of a nice backdrop depicting a forest.
BRATTY LOOKING KID IN SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA
This cabinet card features a portrait of a “gangsta” little boy. Although it is unfair to defame this child merely on the basis of his appearance; it is difficult to get past his dour and sinister expression. He is dressed well for the occasion of his photograph. He is wearing a shorts suit with a handkerchief strategically placed in his jacket’s top pocket. He is sporting colorful woolen stockings and high button shoes. The boy is holding a thin walking stick, or riding crop. The photographer of this cabinet card is Wilbur W. Wright whose studio was located in San Jose, California. He is not the famed aviation pioneer, Wilbur Wright, brother of Orville Wright. Photographer Wright is listed in a number of San Jose business directories ranging from 1890 through 1907. The address of his gallery is listed as 24 Santa Clara Street, and not 284 Santa Clara Street, as printed on this cabinet card.
A WOMAN POSES WITH POSIES IN WELLMAN, IOWA
A woman surrounded by flowers is the subject of this cabinet card portrait by J. V. Wahl, of Wellman, Iowa. A dark patterned curtain serves as the background in this photograph. The patterned curtains, the multitude of flowers, the patterned chair, and the young woman; make for a very busy image. In fact, the viewer’s eyes don’t know where to focus. An inscription on the reverse of the photograph indicates that the subject of this cabinet card is Miss Edith Ash of Washington, Iowa. The photograph was taken in January, 1898. Edith Ash (1878-?) is listed in the census of 1880 through 1920 as a resident of Washington County, Iowa. She is most likely the subject in this image. She was married to Howard Cooper, circa 1899.
JULIA BLAESS KLAGER: MICHIGAN BICYCLIST (PHOTOGRAPHED BY FEMALE PHOTOGRAPHER)
An inscription on the reverse of this cabinet card, indicates that the young woman posed with the bicycle, is Julia Blaess Klager. Note the bell on the handlebars of the bike. Julia is beautifully dressed for her portrait at the studio of Susan T. Cook. Cook had galleries in both Ann Arbor and Dundee, Michigan. She is listed in an 1890 Ann Arbor directory. An attempt to find biographical information about Julia Klager, produced uncertain results. The 1920 US census lists a Julia Klager, residing in Washtenaw, Michigan. Her date of birth was listed as 1877, which could be a match for the woman in this cabinet card. A Julia Klager was also found to be associated with the University of Michigan. A woman with that name received a music degree (piano teacher) in 1907 and is also listed as a music patroness in the 1908 University of Michigan Yearbook. This musically inclined woman, may, or may not be, the woman in this photograph.
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 