A young black man with spectacles is pictured in this Cabinet card. The image was photographed by John Orgill of Hartford, Connecticut. To see other photographs by Orgill, click on the category “Photograher: Orgill”
Fireman in Chester, Pennslyvania
This Cabinet card features a fireman in Chester, Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Franklin Company which was one of the five companies comprising the Chester Fire Department. The Franklin Company was established in 1867. At the time of this photograph all firemen except drivers and chiefs were volunteers. In 1904, two of the Chester fire companies were sent to the “Great Baltimore Fire” for a weeks duration. Chester is in southeastern Pennsylvania near Philadelphia. The photographer of this image is Jeanes of Chester, Pennsylvania.
EFFIE ELLSLER: STAGE ACTRESS
This is a Cabinet card portrait of stage actress Effie Ellsler (1855?-1942). She was born in Cleveland, Ohio where her parents were actors and ran a leading playhouse. She made her debut as a child and as an adult had opportunities to act with Edwin Booth, Lawrence Barrett and other celebrities during their Cleveland tours. Ellsler came to New York in 1880 and was a sensation in her first part in the title role of Hazel Kirke. She played that role for three years but than made a series of poor starring role choices in a number of melodramas. For most of the 1890’s she toured in road companies. She later played with Maxine Elliott in the Merchant of Venice. Ellsler’s last hit was in the Bat (1920). This Cabinet card portrait is from the esteemed studio of Charles Ritzmann of New York City.
Wounded Fencers from Jena, Germany
This Cabinet card image captures a fencing team after what must have been a tough match with another fencing club. Note the wounds and the little dog at the feet of the fencer furthest to the right of the photograph. Perhaps a reader of this blog can help identify the team and the words on the board in the center of the photo. The reverse of the card has German writing which I can not translate. It may list the two teams which competed. “Alleurarria contra Aruriscia” is the best interpretation I can make of the handwriting. Once again, I hope a fencing authority can comment and identify the competing teams. This is the second fencing Cabinet card that I have posted (look up the first under the category of sports). The photographer of both Cabinet cards is Friedr. Haack of Jena, Germany.
Jewish Family in New York (Meet the Goldberg’s)
M. Goldberg and his family are photographed by Newman’s Studio of Art Photography. The studio was located on Lexington Avenue in New York City. Perhaps the Goldberg’s were recent Jewish immigrants to America.
Dapper Black Gentleman in Watertown, Wisconsin
This Cabinet card is a photograph of a dapper young Black man posing in Donner Brothers Studio in Watertown, Wisconsin. Watertown is located in southeastern Wisconsin and was settled in 1836. Around the time of this photograph, there was an influx of German immigrants into the town. These immigrants started the first kindergarten in the United States soon after their arrival in Watertown.
Two Armenian Women in Georgia (1910)
This Cabinet Portrait is an image of two Armenian women photographed in Georgia in 1910. Writing on the reverse of the card indicates that the women are named Mara and Jenia.
Railway or Trolley Car Motorman in Omaha, Nebraska
This Cabinet card is an image of a railway or trolley car worker. The badge on his cap is labeled “motorman”. If he worked for a trolley line, than he worked for the Omaha Cable Tramway Company which operated in Omaha between 1884 and 1894. Instead, he may have worked on a train belonging to the Union Pacific Railroad which was one of several railroads operating in Omaha, Nebraska. It would be great to read some comments from readers who may have expertise or knowledge concerning the railway history of Omaha. The photographer of this photograph is Gray, of Omaha. To view other photographs by Gray, click on the category “Photographer: Gray (NE)”.
Jessie Bartlett Davis: American Actress and Opera Singer
Jessie Bartlett Davis (1859?-1905) was an American actress and operatic singer from Illinois who was billed as “America’s Representative Contralto”. Her father was a farmer and country school master and she was one of ten children. She was discovered when she was performing locally and was taken by traveling managers to perform on the west coast. In 1879 she made her debut in the opera H.M.S. Pinafore. She performed with several opera companies before joining the new Boston Ideal Opera and remained with this troupe until 1901 performing as their prima donna. She is most well known for her role as Alan a-Dale in the 1890 opera Robin Hood. She also toured performing opera in Europe one season and in 1897 she opened on Broadway in The Serenade. She played Broadway again in 1903 in Jakobowski”s operetta Erminie. This versatile performer also performed vaudeville, wrote songs, stories and poems. She had a home in Chicago and summer home in Indiana where she raised horses, collies and fox terriers. In 1905 she died of Brights disease and is buried in Chicago. The photographer of this portrait is renowned theatrical photogarpher Benjamin J Falk of New York City.
Russian Educator in St. Petersburg
This Cabinet card photo is of a Russian teacher or administrater of a Learning Institution founded under the auspices of Emperor Alexander I or Emperor Nicholas I, circa 1900. The photographer is Alexander Semenenko Photo Studio in St. Petersburg. The reverse of the card has images of two awards in photography exhibitions of 1883 and 1889.
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 