Here is a man with character. This older gentleman is quite an intense looking man. He has a great looking beard. The beard has a layered cut appearance. The studio that produced this photograph is Holcombe & Alvord of Detroit, Michigan. Research reveals little about the men that operated this studio. Their full names were found to be Burton J. Holcombe and Charles E. Alvord. An article appearing in “The Photographic Times” (1884) announced that the partners had opened a new gallery at 220 Woodward Avenue in Detroit. Advertising on this cabinet card reveals that the studio at some point had been located next door at number 22 Woodward Avenue.
PORTRAIT OF AN INTENSE MAN WITH CHARACTER IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN
PORTRAIT OF AN ADORABLE BABY IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN
This cabinet card features a portrait of a cute, but skeptical baby, sitting on a fur covered chair. The child is wearing a sweater over a gown, and is propped on a chair. The baby is clenching a toy in his/her right hand. The photograph was produced at the Detroit Art Gallery. The proprietors were listed as Dubbs, Lee & Company. Preliminary research yielded no additional information about the studio.
A cute baby
PRETTY WOMAN IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN
A pretty woman poses for her portrait at the studio of A. J. Diehl and Co. in Detroit, Michigan. This partial profile pose accentuates the womans beautiful and large eyes. Diehl’s studio was located at 35 to 39 Monroe Avenue, in Detroit. This portrait was taken some time between 1885 and 1887.Diehl appears to be a journeyman photographer. He moved from one Detroit photograph studio to another at a rapid pace. He was the “Larry Brown” of photography. If you are not a basketball fan, an explanatory note is necessary. Mr Brown is a much travelled basketball coach. Diehl began his career as an operator in 1876. In 1882 he was a partner in Bracey, Diehl and Co.. In 1885 he operated A. J. Diehl & Co. In 1887, he was a partner in Diehl & Sharpsteen. In 1890 he was a partner in Diehl and Ladd & Co. In 1891, he was a partner in Angell & Diehl. After this short partnership, he had many other photography jobs through 1923. Perhaps Mr Diehl was a difficult person. Did he have an anger problem? Did he have a substance abuse problem? The reason for his unstable work history is unknown, but he likely had some kind of significant pathology that interfered with his work.
PRETTY WOMAN WITH COILED HAIR IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN
This cabinet card features a portrait of an attractive young woman. The side view that the photographer chose to capture, provides a view of her very well styled hair. The photographer is Taylor, of Detroit, Michigan. His gallery was called the Grand Central Gallery and was located at 41 & 43 Monroe Avenue.
PRETTY WOMAN IN TOLEDO, OHIO PHOTOGRAPHED BY FRUGAL PHOTOGRAPHER
This cabinet card is a portrait of a pretty dark haired woman. The photographer is Hill, and the photograph was taken at his studio at 417 Summit Street, in Toledo, Ohio. The photographer formerly operated a studio in Detroit, Michigan. That studio was located at 47 & 49 Monroe Avenue. Hill clearly was a frugal man which is apparent by his using the printed card stock from his Detroit studio at his new location in Toledo. Hill simply crossed out his old address and stamped the front and the reverse of the card with his new studio address. His changes were printed in red.
MRS. TURNER POSES IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN
A nicely dressed, handsome woman poses for her portrait at the studio of Howie, in Detroit, Michigan. Penciled on the reverse of the card is the name “Mrs. Turner”. Also written are the words “Bennett Brothers Show”. Hopefully, a visitor to the Cabinet Card Gallery can shed some light on the identity of the “Bennett Brothers” and possibly Ms. Turner.
MUTTON CHOP MAN AND HIS WIFE AND BABY SIT FOR THEIR PORTRAIT IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN
This cabinet card photograph is a studio photograph of a young family posing as if they are sitting in an outside garden. The man has some impressive mutton chops that seem to be distracting his wife. The photographer is Smith whose studio was in Detroit, Michigan.
TOP HAT: FASHION STATEMENT IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN
This cabinet card photograph features a young man formally dressed with a top hat on his head. “Toppers” became very popular at the end of the 18th century and remained in fashion to various degrees during the next two centuries. Viewing the fashionable man in this photograph brings up the question, “in what settings does he wear the top hat?”. The photographer is E. P. Baker of Detroit, Michigan. A Detroit business directory, published in 1873, lists Baker as owning a photographic studio at a different address than the address listed on this cabinet card.
YOUNG WOMAN WITH THE LONGEST HAIR IN DETROIT
This cabinet card, photographed by Holcombe and Metzen of Detroit, Michigan; is an image of a young woman with lots of hair. I have seen other cabinet card portraits of woman with hair to spare and I am not sure how to interpret the meaning of this era’s hair fashion statement. If anyone has knowledge of this phenomenon; please leave a comment. Photographers Holcombe and Metzen are given mention in the Detroit Yearbook of 1890.
YOUNG AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMAN IN DETROIT (POSSIBLY A SEAMSTRESS)
This terrific Cabinet Card is an image of a attractive young African-American woman posing for her photograph in the studio of Marratt in Detroit, Michigan. The Photographic Times (1884) states that Marratt was one of the principal photographic artists in Detroit. Note the scissors in the woman’s collar. The scissors suggest that she may be a seamstress.
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 