This cabinet card features a portrait of a pretty young woman. She is fashionably dressed and wearing an exquisite hat. Her image was produced by the Devereaux Brothers. Who are the Devereaux Brothers? The Devereaux Brothers sounds like the name of a Cajun band.” Why don’t y’all come down to the Bayou Cafe and hear the Devereaux Brothers play some zydeco.” Research does not support the notion that Morrice, Vernon, Byron and Ashley played in a Lousiana band together when they weren’t producing photographs. In actuality, research reveals that the Devereaux Brothers operated their photography studio in North Lansing, Michigan. SOLD
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 