A cute girl poses for her portrait at the studio of Latto, of Boston, Massachusetts. The youth is wearing a lot of jewelry; including a necklace, bracelets, and rings. She is also wearing a ribbon as well as an interesting belt and button sweater. She has moderately long hair and it is quite curly. The photographer, John C. Latto is listed as a photographer in the 1873 Boston Directory. At that time, he was partnered with George T. Rand. A publication of the South Boston Citizen’s Association(1900) mentions the “recent” death of Latto and the sale of his business to photographer, Lester Ayer. The publication also cites Latto as one of the leading photographers of Boston.
CUTE CURLY HAIRED GIRL IN BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
LOVELY COUPLE IN CAMDEN, MAINE
A wasp waisted woman and a mustachioed man pose for their portrait at the studio of William V. Lane, in Camden, Maine. The woman is clearly wearing a corset. The photographer, Lane (1849-1903) came to Camden and opened his gallery in 1883. He also had a branch gallery in Vinalhaven, Maine. He stayed in Camden for 15 years; and then moved to Boston, Massachusetts. While in Camden, Lane was the Chairman of the Board of Assessors and in that capacity, he promoted a new opera house in town. Lane also served as the President of the Business Men’s Association and had a one year stint as Road Commissioner. To view other images by William Lane, click on the category “Photographer: Lane”. SOLD
CAPTAIN WILLIAM J WILLIAMS: AFRICAN AMERICAN SPANISH AMERICAN WAR VETERAN
This cabinet card creates a historical mystery. Is this image really a portrait of Captain William James Williams? Captain Williams was among the first African American officers to serve in a state volunteer regiment during the Spanish American War. He served in the 6th Massachusetts Infantry, Company L. This company was probably the first and possibly only African American company to be attached to a white regiment. Williams commanded Company L and was the first African American to enter the US Volunteer army with a captain’s commission. He was six feet tall. He was a product of Boston schools and was a lawyer. He joined the Massachusetts Militia in 1891. The reverse of this card is inscribed “William James Williams, Captain, Spanish American War”. A photograph of Captain Williams found from another source, has resemblance to the man in this image, but does not confirm the identity. The photographer of this image is William G. Hussey of Salem, Massachusetts. A photographic journal (1900) reported that Hussey sold his Salem studio in 1900.
PRETTY WOMAN IN HIGH COLLAR AND HIGH FASHION IN BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
A pretty woman poses for her photograph at the studio of Walter E. Chickering in Boston, Massachusetts. She is dressed in high fashion and high collar. Biographical information about Walter Chickering is difficult to find and further research is needed. It is unknown whether he was related to Elmer Chickering, also of Boston. Elmer Chickering was a celebrated photographer and to view photographs by him; click on the category “Photographer: Chickering, W.”.
“DA VINCI CODE” CABINET CARD: KNIGHTS OF THE TEMPLAR MAN IN BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
This cabinet card is an image of a gentleman dressed in his fraternal organization uniform. He has badges on his sash as well as on his jacket. Two of the badges have words on them that can be deciphered. The lower badge on his sash states “In Hoc Signo Vinces” which is the latin rendering of the Greek phrase, “with this as your standard you shall have victory”. This motto has been used on many coat of arms and banners including those belonging to families, cities, regiments, sport teams, and even pall mall cigarettes. More relevant to this photograph, the motto appears on the “Knight Templar Cross” in the York Rite branch of free masonry. The second readable badge is the one located below the gentleman’s left shoulder. The badge states the name “Hugues De Payens”. Hugues De Payens (1070-1136) was a frankish knight who was the cofounder and first Grandmaster of the Knights Templar. This cabinet card conjures up thoughts of the “Da Vinci Code”. The photographer of this cabinet card is Conly of Boston, Massachusetts. Charles F. Conly went looking for a job at age 20 and found a help wanted sign in the window of famed Boston photographer, Warren (see category Photographers: Warren). Ten years later he succeeded Warren as the proprietor of the studio. He had a meteoric rise from office boy to entrepreneur. At the beginning of his career he spent some time in the theatrical profession and he thus became the favorite photographer of Boston’s theatrical performers. Conly’s obituary appears in the 1893 edition of Anthony’s Photographic Bulletin. Interestingly, the article states that Conly was a prominent secret society man and that delegations from the Elks, Odd Fellows and the Royal Arcanum and Columbian Lodge of Masons were represented at his funeral. To view other photographs by Conly, click on the category “Photographer: Conly”.
BLANCH HOWARD: A PRECOCIOUS TEN YEAR OLD IN BOSTON (1887)
Ten year-old Blanch Howard poses for this cabinet card photograph by McCormick of Boston, Massachusetts. She cofidently stares into the camera and has a look of precociousness. Her name is inked on the reverse of the card and it is spelled Blanch and not Blanche. Blanch is a name of French origin and has a creative spelling. The peak year for the popularity of the name Blanch in America was 1924. To view other photographs by McCormick, click on the category “Photographer: McCormick”.
POINTY BEARD IN BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS (1885)
Mr A. W. Sibley poses for his portrait at the studio of E. S. Dunshee in Boston, Massachusetts. Mr Sibley is well dressed and his hair and beard are very styled. His beard comes to a point and is eligible for the Cabinet Card Gallery’s category of “Beard (Only the Best)”. Please visit this beard hall of fame. Interestingly, unlike most hall of fame inductees, Mr Sibley lacks a mustache. Photographer Edward Sidney Dunshee was born 1823 in Bristol, Vermont and died in 1907 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1857 he and Cornelius Dunshee (his father) were photographers in Falls River, MA. He produced ambrotypes and daguerrotypes there. He next operated out of New Bedford, MA. One of his New Bedford clients was Henry David Thoreau, who sat for a portrait in 1861.By 1873 he and Thomas Rice Burnham operated as Dunshee and Burnham in Boston, MA. Between 1873 and 1876 he and Edward Byron Dunshee were in business as E. S. Dunshee and Son and located on Tremont Row in Boston, MA. By 1880, Edward Sidney Dunshee had moved to Philadelphia and apparently, after some time, his son took over the business. It appears that E. S. Dunshee had his last studio in Trenton, New Jersey (1894-1901). This Cabinet Card is dated 1885 and appears to be a product of the studio when it was operated by the son in the business, Edward Byron Dunshee. To view other photographs by E. S. Dunshee, click on the category, “Photographer: Dunshee”. Dunshee’s photography resume is confusing because different sources offer slightly different histories. In addition, the fact that his father and son were photographers, further clouds the accuracy of his biographical material. Clearly some writers have confused and entangled each of the Dunshee’s life story.
PRETTY WOMAN IN BOSTON, MASSACHUSSETS
This Cabinet Card presents a pretty young woman posing for her portrait at the studio of Worden, in Boston, Massachusetts. No identifying information is available. To view other photographs by Worden, click on the category “Photographer: Worden”.
WHISKERS IN BOSTON
This Cabinet Card is an image of a distinguished looking gentleman with very interesting sideburns and moustache. He is posing at the Hartford Photographic Studio in Boston Massachusetts.
ANNIE EDMONDSON: THEATER ACTRESS
This cabinet card is an image of actress Annie Edmondson (1871-1923). She was married to Shakespeare actor Frederick Warde. The photographic studio is famed Boston portrait artist Warren’s Portraits and the photographer was George K. Warren. To view other images by this photographer, click on the category “Photographer: Warren (George K.).
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 