TWO WELL DRESSED MEN IN WESTERN SUITS IN “COPPEROPOLIS”, MONTANA TERRITORY

This cabinet card photograph features two men dressed in western style suits, posing for their portrait at the Hawes & Elliott studio in Anaconda, Montana Territory. The men in this image were likely associated with the mining business. This photo was taken before 1889, the year that Montana became a state. Anaconda is located in southwestern Montana. The city is just 8 miles south of the Continental Divide. Anaconda was founded by Marcus Daly, a “Copper King”, who financed the construction of a smelter near Anaconda, to process copper ore from the Butte mines. In 1883, Daly petitioned to name the town “Copperopolis”, but that name was already taken by another town. Instead, Daly settled for the name “Anaconda” which was the name of a nearby copper mine. The two photographers involved in producing this cabinet card were Winifield S Hawes and either John A Elliott or George E Elliott. The Elliotts are known to have operated a photo studio in Butte, while Montana was still a territory. This cabinet card is in excellent condition (see scans).   (SOLD)

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Published in: on September 16, 2018 at 12:02 pm  Comments (2)  
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PORTRAIT OF THE MOST HANDSOME MAN IN BUTTE, MONTANA

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Take a look at this handsome devil. He just might be the most handsome man in Butte, maybe the most handsome man in the entire state of Montana. He is well dressed and has a magnificent mustache. His hat and tie are terrific and so is his expression. He exudes confidence and intelligence.  The photographer of this image is the Dusseau studio in Butte, Montana. A. J. Dusseau’s first name was listed as “Angelo” in some sources and  as “Alrick” in other sources. Perhaps one of these names is incorrect, or possibly Mr. Dusseau used both names during his lifetime. Dusseau was born in Burlington, Vermont in 1842. He worked as a carpenter for a railroad in Wisconsin and in 1865 he was employed as an assistant engineer on a steamer in Missouri. He then moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming. In 1869 he moved to Helena, Montana, where he worked as a musician for five years. In 1874 he relocated to Deer Lodge, Montana, and opened a photographic gallery which he moved to Butte in 1877. While living in Butte, he led the Silver Coronet Band and Orchestra for three years.In 1881 he married Amanda Henault of Missouri.  He operated a studio in Montana through the 1880’s and 1890’s. His Butte studio was located above the post office on the corner of Main and Granite Streets. After Butte, he ran studios in Helena, Havre, and Fort Assinaboine.  At times he worked with partners. One of these partners was named Thompson and they began working together in 1902. It is interesting to note that Montana did not become a state until 1889. Dusseau was truly a pioneer photographer in the “Big Sky State”. Judging by Dusseau’s varied job history, he must have had a thirst for adventure. To view other images by Dusseau, click on the category “Photographer: Dusseau”.  (SOLD)

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Published in: on July 27, 2016 at 12:00 pm  Comments (2)  
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PORTRAIT OF A HANDSOME MAN FROM BUTTE CITY, MONTANA TERRITORY

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This cabinet card portrait features a well dressed handsome gentleman photographed by the Elliott studio in Butte City, Montana Territory. The subject has a terrific thick mustache. This photograph was taken before 1889, the year Montana became a state. Butte began as a collection of mining camps in the early 1870’s. Gold, silver and copper were mined there. Copper was the major mineral that contributed to the city’s growth. It is likely that the subject of this cabinet card was involved in the mining industry. Research reveals that John A. Elliott and George E. Elliott were photographers in Butte. John is listed as a photographer in a number of Butte business directories (1890,1900,1909). George is reported as a photographer in both the 1890 and 1891 directories. The worked together at their studio which was located at 122 North Main Street.    SOLD

Published in: on July 17, 2016 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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DISTINGUISHED LOOKING GENTLEMAN IN HELENA, MONTANA

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Lowry’s Art Place was the location that the distinguished looking man in this cabinet card portrait had this picture taken. The gentleman pictured is well dressed and well groomed. Though he was likely a resident of a western town, he appears to have made his living with his brain rather than his brawn. Perhaps he is a lawyer or a physician. The photographer of this image is H. J. Lowry, who according to the advertising on the reverse of this cabinet card, had studios in both Bozeman and Helena, Montana. Howard J Lowry is listed in the Helena Business Directories of 1889 through at least 1892 as a “portrait artist” (photographer) and as a teacher of drawing and painting at Helena Business College.  (SOLD)

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Published in: on August 13, 2015 at 11:58 am  Comments (1)  
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PORTRAIT OF A BEAUTY FROM BUTTE (MONTANA)

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This image features a pretty woman photographed in Butte, Montana, at the studio of a photographer named Dusseau. The woman is wearing a lace collar and has a ribbon tie. She is also wearing a lovely piece of jewelry over the tie. Research found some information about photographer A. J. Dusseau. His first name was listed as “Angelo” in some sources and  as “Alrick” in other sources. Perhaps one of these names is incorrect, or possibly Mr. Dusseau used both names during his lifetime. Dusseau was born in Burlington, Vermont in 1842. He worked as a carpenter for a railroad in Wisconsin and in 1865 he was employed as an assistant engineer on a steamer in Missouri. He then moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming. In 1869 he moved to Helena, Montana, where he worked as a musician for five years. In 1874 he relocated to Deer Lodge, Montana, and opened a photographic gallery which he moved to Butte in 1877. While living in Butte, he led the Silver Coronet Band and Orchestra for three years.In 1881 he married Amanda Henault of Missouri.  He operated a studio in Montana through the 1880’s and 1890’s. His Butte studio was located above the post office on the corner of Main and Granite Streets. After Butte, he ran studios in Helena, Havre, and Fort Assinaboine.  At times he worked with partners. One of these partners was named Thompson and they began working together in 1902. It is interesting to note that Montana did not become a state until 1889. Dusseau was truly a pioneer photographer in the “Big Sky State”. Judging by Dusseau’s varied job history, he must have had a thirst for adventure. To view other images by Dusseau, click on the category “Photographer: Dusseau.

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Published in: on August 30, 2012 at 12:01 am  Leave a Comment  
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FAMILY PORTRAIT IN GREAT FALLS, MONTANA

A family of four poses for their portrait at the Elite Studio in Great Falls, Montana. Everyone is dressed in their nicest clothes for their day at the photographic studio. Note how the older daughter is posed. Her love for her dad is quite evident. Father’s pride in his family is also evident in this photograph. This family has the appearance of a Scandinavian family and in fact, the photograph is from the estate of a Norwegian immigrant family that settled in North Dakota and Montana. It is not clear who operated the Elite Studio at the time of this photograph. The Bulletin of Photography (1916) reported that “Louis Heyn of the Elite Studio sold an interest in his business” to employee Harry J. Keeley. It is likely that the studio belonged to Heyn at the time of this photograph.

Published in: on April 11, 2011 at 12:01 am  Comments (1)  
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TWO VICTORIAN WOMEN AND THEIR BICYLCES AND CYCLING ATTIRE

This Cabinet Card features two young woman and their bicycles. Magnification reveals that the bicycles have bells on the handle bars. The woman are wearing caps which brings up the issue of whether this is an occupational photograph. For example, were these women messengers or some other bicycle related employment. The woman on the left is wearing a dress which would make bicycling very difficult, so another possibility is that the caps and the bikes are just props from the photographic studio. The reverse of the card has an inscription that indicates that the woman under the “x” (the woman on the left), is named Miss H. Pleiss. Also in the inscription appears to be the word “Butte’. It is very possible that this cabinet card is from Butte, Montana. There is no evidence concerning the identity of the photographer.

Published in: on July 28, 2010 at 12:01 am  Comments (1)  
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