This vintage portrait photograph captures a poised young Jewish boy, likely taken around the 1920s, dressed formally for what appears to be his Bar Mitzvah. He sits confidently in a high-backed carved chair with lion-head arms, wearing a well-tailored three-piece suit. Draped over his shoulders is a traditional tallit (Jewish prayer shawl), a ceremonial item typically worn during religious rites of passage such as a Bar Mitzvah. In his hands he gently holds what appears to be a small prayer book or sacred text. His expression is one of calm maturity and seriousness, with just the faintest trace of a smile. His hair is neatly combed, and his polished shoes and well-fitted clothing reflect the importance of the occasion. The photograph was taken by Max Froomkin, a Russian-American professional photographer located at 85 Avenue B, New York—a neighborhood historically known for its vibrant Jewish immigrant community on the Lower East Side. The photograph is beautifully mounted in a decorative folder with an embossed Art Nouveau-style frame. This is a touching and visually striking example of early 20th-century Jewish portraiture in America, and it offers both historical and cultural value. (SOLD)
This vintage photograph features an attractive Jewish family in 1930’s Russia. The previous owner of this photo reports that this is the Robert Edelstein family. The parents in this image are well dressed and their son is wearing a sailor style outfit. The photograph measures about 3 1/4″ x 2 1/2″ and is in fair condition.
This vintage photograph features a pretty young woman in a risque pose and wearing risque clothing. She is wearing a hat, gloves, and is holding a purse. She seems to be going somewhere but she forgot to finish getting dressed. The previous owner of this photograph thought the photographer of the image may have been the Biederer studio. I have no supporting evidence confirming his hypotheses. The Biederer brothers were major figures in photography so their story is worth telling. The studio was operated by Jacpues Biederer (1887-1942) and his brother Charles Biederer (1892-1942) during the Art deco era. Their studio was in Paris, France. Their photographs of the 1920’s and 1930’s included artistic nudes and sexual fetish studies. Their topics included erotic corporal punishment, costumed role play and images of bondage. Their postcards were signed as “JB” “B” ,”Ostra”, or a question mark in a triangle. When Germany occupied France during World War ll, the Nazis sent the brothers to a concentration camp (Auschwitz-Birkenau). Their crime was their Judaism. Their punishment was death. This vintage photo measures about 3 3/8″ x 5 3/8″ and is in very good condition.
This cabinet card features a portrait of an attractive young lady. She is posed with her back toward the camera, a pose which offers a profile view. The photographer of this image is Samuel Sharpsteen of Grand Rapids, Michigan and the photograph was taken in 1890. The previous owner of this cabinet card stated that Sharpsteen was of the Jewish faith, but that is not factually correct. There is a tendency for owners of cabinet cards to see a name that “sounds Jewish” and assume that the bearer of that name, must be Jewish. This kind of logic results in many incorrect identifications of Jewish photographers. It so happens, that Mr. Sharpsteen was of the Methodist faith. Samuel Sharpsteen was born in 1850 near Battle Creek, Michigan. His parents were native New Yorkers who were among the early settlers of Michigan. He was educated in Battle Creek’s public schools and at age 20 left home to apprentice in photography. He then went of Owosso, Michigan, where he and his older brother opened a gallery. After six months, his brother left the partnership; and Sharpsteen stayed in Owosso until 1882. He also married his wife there. His wife’s name was Nattie Tuttle, and she was from Cleveland, Ohio. His next location was Ionia, Michigan, where he stayed 8 years. An 18 month stint in Detroit was followed by his move to Grand Rapids. His gallery was in Grand Rapids from 1888 until , at least, 1903. His studio moved around a lot. Research located nine different Grand Rapids locations over the years that he was there. In addition, he had a partner in 1890 and their studio was known as Sharpsteen & Andrews. The Bulletin of Photography (1916) announced Sharpsteen’s death. He died in Grand Rapids at age 71. This cabinet card photograph is in very good condition (see scans).
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 