A cute little girl poses for her portrait at the studio of Briggs L. Rider, of Chicago, Illinois. The child is wearing a very cute outfit that includes lace and ribbons. The photographer, Rider, was active in Tipton, Iowa (1855), Des Moines, Iowa (1856-1860), and Chicago, Illinois (1864-1896?). During part of his tenure in Chicago, Rider was partners with photographer, Joseph Gehrig. Rider was a daguerreoist and cabinet card photographer. He also copied paintings, drawings and daguerreotypes; and taught daguerreotype art. The address listed on this cabinet card indicates that it was produced sometime between 1878 and 1890.
ADORABLE AND BEAUTIFULLY DRESSED LITTLE GIRL IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
RISQUE PORTRAIT OF AN ALLURING WOMAN IN NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK BY JOSE MORA (ACTRESS JEFFREYS-LEWIS?)
This cabinet card features an alluring woman lying on a divan in a very provocative pose. Note the leopard skin on the divan. This woman is likely an actress. She appears to be dressed like she is part of a harem. Rather than an actress, she may be a member of a circus act. The photographer is the famous celebrity photographer, Jose Mora. This image is risque for the time that it was made. To view other photographs by Mora, click on the category “Photographer: Mora”. ADDENDUM: An informed visitor to the cabinet card gallery has identified the subject of this cabinet card as being actress Jeffreys-Lewis. See the comment below to learn the interesting details.
YOUNG FIREMAN IN CROOKSTON, MINNESOTA
A young uniformed fire fighter poses for his portrait at the studio of P. E. Lynne, in Crookston, Minnesota. The fireman is wearing the insignia of his fire department on his cap and on his shirt. “CFD” likely is an abbreviation for the Crookston Fire Department. The fireman’s badge shows an eagle and a fire wagon.
BIG HEADED MAN WITH A LITTLE BEARD IN SULLIVAN, INDIANA
This cabinet card features a man with a big head and a little beard. This gentleman could not commit himself to growing a full beard so he restricted its growth to his chin area. He even lacks sideburns. To view other interesting images of beards, click on the category “Beards (Only the Best). The photographer of this image is Charles M. Lutz & Co. The studio was located in Sullivan, Indiana. A Sullivan County directory (1896) reveals some biographical information about C. M. Lutz. He was born in 1842 in Huntingburg, Indiana. He began working as a photographer in 1861. He served in the 27th Indiana Volunteer Infantry during the civil war. He mustered in the unit as private and mustered out with the same rank. Lutz served in Company B of the 27th. Lutz married Sarah South in 1884 and came to Sullivan County in 1887. In 1891, he entered a partnership with photographer, W. F. Devol.
PRETTY WOMAN IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN
A pretty woman poses for her portrait at the studio of A. J. Diehl and Co. in Detroit, Michigan. This partial profile pose accentuates the womans beautiful and large eyes. Diehl’s studio was located at 35 to 39 Monroe Avenue, in Detroit. This portrait was taken some time between 1885 and 1887.Diehl appears to be a journeyman photographer. He moved from one Detroit photograph studio to another at a rapid pace. He was the “Larry Brown” of photography. If you are not a basketball fan, an explanatory note is necessary. Mr Brown is a much travelled basketball coach. Diehl began his career as an operator in 1876. In 1882 he was a partner in Bracey, Diehl and Co.. In 1885 he operated A. J. Diehl & Co. In 1887, he was a partner in Diehl & Sharpsteen. In 1890 he was a partner in Diehl and Ladd & Co. In 1891, he was a partner in Angell & Diehl. After this short partnership, he had many other photography jobs through 1923. Perhaps Mr Diehl was a difficult person. Did he have an anger problem? Did he have a substance abuse problem? The reason for his unstable work history is unknown, but he likely had some kind of significant pathology that interfered with his work.
MUSICAL GROUP IN LUZERNE, PENNSYLVANIA
This cabinet card captures five young adults who may be part of a musical group. One of the two woman in the photograph is holding a guitar; and that may be the only evidence that this group was in the business of making music. The men are all wearing derby hats. The woman with the guitar has a flower covered hat on her lap, and the second woman has a basket filled with flowers on her knees. There is also something odd included in the content of this photograph. There appears to be a sheet, or sheets, of paper on the ground between the two woman. Is that white square paper, sheet music, or is it a photographic flaw in the image? The photographer of this cabinet card is J. H. R. Kemp. His studio was located in Luzerne, Pennsylvania and his tenure there included the 1890’s.

HANDSOME MAN WITH A HANDSOME BEARD IN LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA
This cabinet card features a handsome gentleman with an interesting looking beard and mustache. The photographer of this image is Benjamin Franklin Saylor, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. His studio was the successor of Charles W. Eberman, in Lancaster. Saylor’s studio was located at 26 West King Street. Saylor was born in 1838 in Trappe, Pennsylvania. He was of German ancestry. Saylor was educated in public schools and at thirteen years of age, his father, a carpenter, died while doing work around his residence. Saylor moved to Philadelphia and at age 20, learned the business of photography. At age 27, he came to Lancaster and took over Eberman’s photo gallery. To view other interesting photographs of beards, click on the category of “Beards (Only the Best).
PORTRAIT OF AN UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS
This pretty woman sat for this cabinet card portrait in the New York City studio of celebrity photographer, B. J. Falk. The photograph is a bit risque for its time. The young woman is showing her bare arms and her shoulder is also exposed. To increase the sexual tension in this photograph, the actress is projecting a “come hither look”. To view other photographs by Falk, click on the category “Photographer: Falk”.
SHE’S BEAUTIFUL, EDUCATED AND POPULAR: YOUNG WOMAN HAS IT ALL IN SAN FRANCISCO
This cabinet card features a very pretty young woman posing for her portrait as a remembrance of an accomplishment, possibly a graduation. She is holding a rolled up paper that may be a diploma. She is surrounded by baskets of flowers. These floral tributes are from a number of admirers; she apparently was quite popular. The young woman is wearing a medal which may indicate that she excelled in some areas of her education. This woman has it all; beauty, brains, and popularity. The photographer who produced this image is Rieman whose studio was located in San Francisco, California. To view other photographs by Rieman, click on Cabinet Card Gallery’s category “Photographer: Rieman”.
A MOTHER AND HER THREE ADORING DAUGHTERS IN VIENNA, AUSTRIA
A young mother and her three daughters pose for their family portrait. The girls are all wearing identical dresses. One of the three girls is unable to hold back a smile while the other subjects look rather serious in this photograph. The photographer of this image is Dr Szekely. He is cited multiple times in the photographic journals of his time for his photography research. Many of the citations found were from 1875 through 1872. Dr Szekely operated a studio in Vienna, Austria. To view other photographs by Szekely, click on the category “Photographer: Szekely”.