This family portrait features a mother and father along with their five children. Mom and one of her daughters are holding umbrellas while dad balances a book on his knee. The eldest son is wearing a sailor suit and has his arm wrapped around his little brother who is sitting on a tricycle. Another brother stands alone on the opposite side of the wall than where the rest of his family is located. Does this have some psychological meaning, or is this just where he was posed by the photographer. The photographer is the Perez studio which was located in San Paulo, Brazil.
PARENTS AND THEIR FIVE CHILDREN IN SAN PAULO, BRAZIL
A BOY, A BIKE, AND A BAD BACKDROP
Photographer Robert Franck of Worms, Germany produced this rather amateurish cabinet card. The boy is holding his bicycle while posing indoors on what appears to be a stage with a nautical painting on a screen behind him. The child looks as if he is standing in front of a giant picture postcard. Look closely and you can see the stand on each side of the backdrop that holds it in place. The stand is on the floor and located at both corners of the screen. If the photographer stood closer to the subject, the edges of the backdrop would have not been in the image; significantly improving the picture. The very obviously fake plant behind the rear bicycle wheel further detracts from this image. Despite my criticism of this photograph, there is something that I like about it. If one focuses on the boy and his bike, this is a fine image of a child and his beloved mode of transportation. This photograph presents a bit of confusing information because on the reverse of the image, the photographers name is listed as F. Berf (possibly F. Ferf). Perhaps Mr Franck succeeded Mr Berf as owner of the studio and was using up Mr Berf’s card stock. Also on the reverse of the cabinet card is a hand written note that identifies the child as “the little Hoffman boy on his bicycle. He is now married.” (SOLD)
A BOY AND HIS WOODEN TRICYCLE IN CLINTON, MASSACHUSETTS
This cabinet card features a well dressed young boy posing next to a wooden tricycle in the Jenness Studio, in Clinton, Massachusetts. The lad is wearing a suit, bow tie, and hat. Note the decorated wooden handlebars on the tricycle and the fancy seat. The first tricycle was invented in 1680 by a disabled German man who wanted to maintain his mobility. There were many versions invented over time until Starley developed the first rotary chain drive tricycle in 1877. After the introduction of this model, tricycle riding became very popular. Tricycles and bicycles can be found in many cabinet card photographs. To view examples of such images, click on the category of “Bicycle”.
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”.
TWO YOUNG MEN POSE WITH THEIR BIKES AND UNUSUAL RIDING CLOTHES IN PECK, MICHIGAN
This cabinet card photograph captures two young men posing with their bicycles. They are wearing similar and unusual outfits. it looks like they are wearing the predecessor to “hoodies”. However, rather than hoods, it appears that they are wearing capes. Both guys are also wearing flowers pinned to their chest. Are these fellows about to ride in a parade? Are they wearing typical bike riding outfits? Hopefully, a visitor to the cabinet card gallery will leave an informative comment concerning the subjects outfits. The photographer of this image is M. R. Cole of Peck, Michigan. Cole is listed in a 1904 Michigan directory as a photographer and a jeweler.
MARCUS AINEY AND HIS TRICYLCE CAPTURED BY A TRAVELING PHOTOGRAPHER
A young lad, Marcus Ainey poses for his Cabinet Card photograph for the Hawkins Brothers who were traveling photographers. Marcus is looking quite serious as he rests his arm on the handlebars of his prized tricycle. He is dressed up for the occasion wearing an interesting cap and outfit. He has his handkerchief neatly tucked into his pocket ready for any nasal emergencies.
A BOY AND HIS BICYCLE IN ROCHESTER, NEW YORK
A serious looking boy poses for his cabinet card photograph with his bicycle. He is wearing a straw hat, colorful bow tie and appears to have a handkerchief in his shirt pocket. The youth is holding up his bicycle as photographer George J Schaefer of the Sunbeam Gallery takes his portrait.
A Boy on his Tricycle
This is a wonderful Cabinet card of a young boy on his tricycle posing in the studio of H. Osterhout in Middletown, New York. Check out the details of the tricycle. In addition, note the young boys outfit. He is wearing a terrific hat, a bow tie or scarf, and great shoes. What is on his lap? It looks like a skirt. Is this young boy actually a young girl? What do you think?
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 