The Shelton family poses for their family portrait at the studio of Poul C. Poulsen in Brisbane, Australia. The photographer appears to have provided the family with props to use in this photograph. The bespectacled Mr Shelton reads to his daughter as she sits on his lap. A second daughter sits in a miniature chair and is holding an open magazine. The eldest daughter (on the far right side of the image) holds a fan that features the image of a pretty woman. Fans such as this, frequently had images of famous actresses of the era. Mrs Shelton has a handkerchief on her lap while another daughter is holding flowers. In the back center of the photograph is the Shelton’s young adult aged son who has his arms folded across his chest and a look of disinterest on his face. Poul Christensen Poulsen (1857-1925) was born in Denmark and arrived in Sydney in 1876. In 1882 he moved to Queensland and opened a photographic studio a few years later. He was later joined by brothers and sisters from Denmark. He opened branches of his studio in other Queensland towns. In 1898 he was appointed the Danish Consul at Brisbane. Over the years, his sons and grandsons entered the photography business. There is evidence on this particular cabinet card that dates it somewhere between 1894 and 1898. The studio located in the town of Gympie that is listed in the advertising on the front of this card, existed between 1894 and 1898.
PORTRAIT OF THE SHELTON FAMILY IN BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA
ELDERLY GENTLEMAN IN COPENHAGEN, DENMARK
An elderly gentleman poses for his portrait at the studio of Christensen and Morange, in Copenhagen, Denmark. The grey haired man, dressed in a suit, is sitting in a chair next to an open book, which lies on a desk or table. The man’s pocket watch can be seen behind his open jacket. Note the interesting design of the chair that the gentleman is occupying. The old man’s facial expression is open to interpretation. At first glance, he looks quite serious; but upon further examination, he seems a bit amused as he stares at the photographer. The Christensen and Morange studio photographed a number of well known people in Denmark. Some of the photographer’s portraits are held by the Royal Library, in Copenhagen. To view the Cabinet Card Gallery’s collection of photographs from Denmark, click on the category, “Denmark”.
A FAMILY OF FIVE POSES ON THE ISLAND OF FOHR (INDOOR FISHERMEN)
A couple and their three children arrive in Wyk auf Fohr, the only town on the island of Fohr. Fohr is the second largest of the North Frisian Islands on the German coast of the North Sea. The family is on the island to vacation. They decide to walk around the town and happened upon a photographer’s studio. The photographers name was Wilhelm Muller. The family decides to go into the studio for a portrait, believing that a photograph of them would make a great souvenir of their trip to the seashore. The photographer had a wonderful beach backdrop, as well as props, including fishing nets and an oar. The resulting photograph makes the family look like they are ready for a day of serious fishing. For some unknown reason, it was decided that mom should pose with an open book on her lap. Is she bored, or is she studying a text on fishing? The family likely had fun on their vacation because the area they were visiting, was a noted resort town. Here is a historical tidbit. From 1842 to 1847, Danish King Christian VIII chose Wyk as his summer vacation spot, which attracted even more tourists. In 1844, Hans Christian Andersen followed the King to Wyk and made the following comment about Wyk’s beach: “I bathed every day and I must say it was the most remarkable water I have ever been in”.
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 