This cabinet card features a fireman, or possibly a policeman, posing for his portrait in the studio of F. L. Huff, in Newark, New Jersey. Huff’s studio was located at 707 & 839 Broad Street in Newark. Huff was a native “Jerseyman” and established his photographic studio in 1870. SOLD
A fireman poses for his photograph at the studio of Montignani of Bridgeport, Connecticut. The fireman’s cap has a badge with the insignia of “50”. He is holding a pair of gloves. The location of Montignani’s studio is listed on the bottom of the card as being “over Pequonock Bank”. The bank was loctated at 304 Main Street. An interesting irrelevant fact is that circus man, P. T. Barnum, was once President of the Pequonock Bank. The photographer is Frank M. Montignani. An 1888 photography journal praises Montignani as taking some of the most “perfect” photographs of Barnum’s circus processions. An 1892 photography journal advertises Montignani’s photographic studio for sale. SOLD
This terrific cabinet card features a uniformed fireman wearing insignia on his chest and belt that indicates he was likely a member of the first brigade of his department. The photographer is Ernest F. Feiger (1832-1900) of Pomereoy, Ohio. He was a portrait and landscape photographer active in Pomeroy between 1860 and 1891. Feiger was a native of Pennsylvania. His son, Harry E. Feiger, joined the studio by 1887. SOLD
This vintage photograph features a handsome uniformed fireman posing for his portrait at the Strunk Studio in Reading, Pennsylvania. The fireman has a terrific looking mustache. The insignia on his cap indicates that he was a member of the Marion Fire Department. Interestingly, Marion is located in Franklin County, about 120 miles away from Reading. Marion was named after Francis Marion, the American Revolutionary War heroic army officer, known as the Swamp Fox. The Strunk studio was operated by John D. Strunk, a talented and prolific photographer. (SOLD)
This cabinet card features a young boy dressed up in a fireman’s uniform complete with helmet. He is posing with a serious expression trying hard to play the part of an adult fireman. To make the portrait even more realistic, he is holding a fire axe. This image is another example of a cabinet card portrait that attempts to “adultify” children. The cabinet card gallery includes images of children dressed as sailors, soldiers, and even brides and grooms. Many of the children’s portraits show them dressed in adult-like glamourous or elegant clothing. It appears that parents at the turn of the century had the same propensity that parents have today to rush their children to adulthood. Unlike today’s children, the children of the cabinet card era really did have to become adults in their later teenage years. Prolonged adolescence was not invented yet. The photographer of this image was J. K. Cole of New York City, New York. To view other photographs by Cole, and to learn more about him, click on the category “Photographer: Cole (New York)”. (SOLD)
A uniformed young man poses for his portrait at a Glen’s Falls, New York photography studio. The photographers operating the studio were Conkey (George W.) & Hultz. The gentleman in this photograph appears to be a fireman. His belt buckle indicates that he was in the first company of the department. Note his Napoleonic pose. It is possible that the subject of this cdv photograph is actually a policeman, naval officer, or some other uniformed worker. However, I am fairly confident that he is a fireman. This carte de visite is in very good condition (see scans). (SOLD)
Between 1950 and 1967, CBS television ran a popular game show in which four panelists asked question in order to guess the occupation of a guest. The name of the game was “What’s My Line?”. Now you get to play the game except that you have to use observational skills rather than ask questions. What do you think is the occupation of the four men seen in this cabinet card photograph. Three of the men are in uniform and wearing hats displaying identification numbers. At least one of the three is wearing striped pants. The fourth man is well dressed and wearing civilian clothing and a light colored hat. He is also chomping on a cigar. My guess is that the men work for a railroad. It is also possible that they are firemen. Any comments conjecturing about their line of work, would be appreciated. The name of the photographer and the location of his/her studio is unknown.
The cabinet card gallery has over a dozen photographs by photographer John D. Strunk. This image joins two other fireman portraits by the prolific Mr. Strunk. This cabinet card features a fireman wearing his dress uniform. Note his brass butons and his badge. To view other photographs by this photographer and to learn more about him, click on the category “Photographer: Strunk”. (SOLD)
This photograph features a handsome uniformed fireman posing for his portrait at the Steinhaus studio in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. It is unknown whether this fireman was a member of the Sheboygan fire department or some other department. The badge on his hat displays the #2 which is likely his unit within his department. Note that his badge displays a fire hydrant, crossed axes, hose nozzles, and hook and ladder. The photographer of this image is Roland A. Steinhaus. Interestingly, research revealed where Mr. Steinhaus received his training. The Professional and Amateur Photographer (1900) has an article which announces the “arrival for January term” of a group of students for the purpose of attending the Illinois College of Photography. Steinhaus was listed as one of these students and his hometown was reported to be Sheboygan. The town of Sheboygan was founded in 1846 and by 1849 was noted for its German population. Steinhaus, judging by his last name, was part of this German population. To view other photographs of firemen, click on the category “Firemen and Policemen”.
The young uniformed man in this cabinet card portrait appears to be a band member. However, it is also possible that he may be a cadet, a fireman, or a member of some other type of organization. His belt buckle has the letter “C” and the badge on his hat has the number “7”. Hopefully, a visitor to the cabinet card gallery may be able to pinpoint the exact type of unit that this subject represents. The photographer of this image is A. J. Hargrave. At the time of this photograph he was located at 68 West 23rd Street in New York City. To learn more about Hargrave and to view more of his photographs, click on the category “Photographer: Hargrave”.
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THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 