The young man in this photograph is well prepared for a cold Canadian winter. He is wearing a fur coat and fur hat. The photographer who took this portrait is William F. Tate who operated a studio in Seaforth, Ontario, Canada. This vintage photograph measures about 6″ x 4 1/4″. SOLD
Six young women gathered at the studio belonging to William McComb (1844-?) in order to have their photograph taken. The studio was located in Muskegon, Michigan. What is the connection between these women? The woman seated in the center front row of the photo has an open book on her lap. Perhaps the young ladies are students. More is known about the photographer than about the young women. William McComb grew up on Prince Edward Island, Canada. He was of Irish descent. By the time he was fifteen years old, McComb had developed an interest in photography. In 1859, he volunteered to become the assistant of a visiting photographer in the area. He learned the business and photography skills necessary to pursue the career of being a photographer. His career path took him to jobs in galleries in Ottawa and Montreal. He then moved to the United States where he met Muskegon photographer, J. D. Westervelt. The two men decided to work together, and the partnership lasted for just one year. In 1879, McComb opened his own photo studio. He soon became the most popular photographer in Muskegon. In 1895, a devastating fire destroyed his studio and it’s equipment as well as his collection of 40,000 negatives. McComb opened a new studio and rebuilt his business. Besides photography, he had a strong interest in weather forecasting and in 1893, he joined the US weather bureau. His duties included raising flags to notify mariners of approaching weather conditions. A photo of William McComb can be seen below. This cabinet card has gold beveled edges. SOLD
This carte de visite portrait features an aged woman wearing mourning clothes. Her black dress, black hat, and sad expression, all suggest that she has suffered a recent loss. Her left hand is placed on a book atop a small table. The book is likely a bible. The photographer of this cdv photograph is J. R. Bentley. He operated a studio in Edmonton, Canada. Research found an ad in “The Photographic News” (1893) in which Bentley advertises the sale of his studio. It is very interesting to note that the advertising on the reverse of this CDV refers to Bentley as a “Portrait, Landscape, & Equestrian Photographer”. I do not remember ever seeing a early photographer refer to himself as a “Equestrian” photographer. I wonder if Mr. Bentley took photos of individual horses, or if he photographed individuals sitting on horses. I hope someday I locate one of Bentley’s equestrian photographs.
This cabinet card portrait features a well dressed and handsome couple posing at Edy Brothers studio in London (Ontario), Canada. The studio was located at 214 Dundas Street. The gentleman is holding some papers on his lap. The attractive young woman appears to appreciate jewelry. She is wearing a necklace and a ring. Edy Brothers Studio was a family run business for several decades between the 1860’s and teh early 1920’s in Brantford and London, Ontario. James Newbury Edy (1843-1890) and William Daniel Edy (1832-1911) were the original partners that started the business. William’s son Leslie Eli Edy (1864-1919) ran the business in the early 1900’s. The next proprietor was Franklin William Edy who operated the studio until it’s closure in 1922. (SOLD)
This vintage photograph is a class portrait of children from the Avondale School in Nova Scotia, Canada. The image has unusually great clarity. I suggest that the viewer magnifies the image and carefully look at the children’s expressions, their hairstyles, and at their attire. This photograph really gives the observer an up close look at turn of the century school children. Note the two boys at the end of the first row. They are holding up signs identifying their school and the date (1898). The teacher sits in a chair, hands on his lap, and looking relaxed. I wonder how common male school teachers were during this era. Two of the girls are wearing identical dresses (same pattern). My guess is that they are sisters and their mother made the dresses. This is an exceptional example of a more than a century old class picture.
“ Lean on me, when you‘re not strong. And I’ll be your friend. I’ll help you carry on.” This cabinet card portrait brings to mind the lyrics of Bill Withers song “Lean on Me”. The image features two affectionate women (perhaps they’re sisters), one seated on a chair while the other is seated on the floor. The young woman on the floor has an open book in her lap and appears to be reading to the second woman. They are posed in an affectionate manner. Both are wearing pretty bows. The photographer is John Harvey and his studio was located in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. After studying photography for two years in New York, Harvey established his Fredericton studio in 1883. He and his wife, Martha, ran the studio until John’s death in 1903. Martha Harvey continued operating the studio on her own until she sold it to Frank Pridham in 1917. Pridham and subsequent owners kept the “Harvey Studio” name and the business continues to operate today as one of the oldest photography studios in Canada.
A girl, who appears to be a teenager, poses for her portrait at the studio of L. E. Desmarais & Cie in Montreal, Canada. The street address of the studio was 17 St. Laurent. L. E. Desmarais was listed in a number of Montreal city directories between 1870 and 1895. Two other photographers with the same last name were also listed, Ovila Desmarais (1864-1875) and Oliver Desmarais (1871-1878). It is likely that all three men were related.
This cabinet card portrait features a well dressed woman and was produced by a female photographer in Montreal, Canada. Madame Gagne ran a photography studio in Montreal in the 1880’s and early 1890″s. Gagne had studios at other locations in Montreal including 897 St. Catherine (circa 1885) and1823 St. Catherine (date unknown). She was located at the 211 St. Laurent address in 1895. She did a great deal of portrait work for the Chinese community. William Notman was the Montreal photographer associated with taking portraits of the elite. It is likely that Madame Gagne was married to fellow Montreal photographer, Edouard Gagne. The McCord Museum in Montreal has some of Madame Gagne’s work in their collection of historic local photographs.
A middle aged couple photographed by M. Oliver of Ontario, Canada. he is wearing what looks to be a uniform of some sort, maybe masonic. He has a ribbon and pins and looks to be wearing a sash around his waist. His cap is labeled with what may be an id number “1410” and what looks to be “L O I”. He may be a member of a military or fraternal organization or fire or police department.He is wearing terrific suspenders. Lets not forget that his wife is also in the picture. She is wering a nice hat and bow tie with jewelry on her collar. He has ribbons around his sleeves which gives them a bunch look.
A pretty young wasp waisted woman, holding a muff and wearing gloves, poses for what is likely a winter portrait at the Jarvis studio in Ottawa, Canada. According to an inscription on the reverse of the photograph, the corseted woman is named Mary Devlin and the photograph was taken in 1890. The photographer, Samuel J. Jarvis was a famed Ottawa photographer who opened a studio with partner Alfred Pittaway in 1882 while both were still teenagers. In 1890 they split up and became competitors. They joined forces again in 1907 and worked together until Pittaway’s retirement in 1928. Their studio did photo portraits, photojournalism, and operated a photographic supply shop and developing studio. The pair hired an artist who created elaborate sets and backdrops. The Ottawa Citizen (1948) published a feature story about Jarvis and his pioneering days in photography. Samuel J. Jarvis should not be confused with his photographer uncle, Samuel Jarvis.
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THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 