This cabinet card portrait of a pretty and fashionable young woman is the work of G. W. Pach. The woman in the photograph appears quite austere but of course sometimes appearance can be deceptive. Pach, and the Pach Brothers, were celebrated photographers of their era. G. W. Pach’s studio at the time of this photograph was located at 841 Broadway at the corner of 13th Street in New York City. Pach also had branch studios at Harvard and Yale Universities as well as in Poughkeepsie and West Point, New York. In addition, there were branch studios in Long Branch and Ocean Grove, New Jersey. The aforementioned studios are all mentioned in print on the reverse of the cabinet card. Also on the back of the image is a pencilled date indicating that this photograph was taken in 1879. To learn more about the Pach Brothers and to view additional photographs taken by them , click on the category “Photographer: Pach Bros”.
PRETTY AND AUSTERE: A YOUNG WOMAN IN NEW YORK CITY (PHOTOGRAPHED BY PACH, 1879)
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE DRESS IN PHILADELPHIA: LAURA DEXTER TELLS COUSIN GUSSIE ABOUT HER ADVENTURES IN FASHION
“Dear Gussie,
Here is a Photo of my self in full dress if you would rather have me in my black lace dress I will exchange this for it. Everyone thinks this is the best I have ever had taken. Recd (received) your letter will answer it tomorrow. I tinted this for you.
With love, Your devoted Cousin, Laura Decker.”
The above is the inscription found on the reverse of this cabinet card. Laura Decker was definitely fashion conscious and also very excited about her appearance in this photograph. She was also eager to share her joy with her cousin Gussie. Although this is not a particularly flattering image of Laura, the dress certainly photographed well. Laura’s message to her cousin is interesting though while reading it, I felt almost guilty as if I was reading someone else’s mail. That feeling shouldn’t be too surprising because that’s exactly what I was doing. The photographer of this cabinet card was a studio belonging to George F. Chandler & Samuel Scheetz. They operated their business in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. One source indicates that the studio was located on Arch Street in Philadelphia between 1880 and 1893. Another source reveals that the two men had a gallery in Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1885. The business was located on the Boardwalk at the corner of South Carolina Avenue. To view additional photographs by Chandler & Scheetz, click on the category “Chandler & Scheetz”. Further information about Laura Decker could not be located because there were a number of women in Philadelphia who shared that name.
RUFFIAN LOOKING MAN POSES FOR RUFFIAN PHOTOGRAPHER WITH A NEW IDEA IN PICTURE HANGING (NEW JERSEY)
An intense looking gentleman poses for his portrait at the studio of Albert Vetter. Vetter operated two photographic galleries in New Jersey; one was in Jersey City, while the other was located in Hoboken. The man in this photograph is dressed formally, like a gentleman; but he has the look of a ruffian. Could be an interesting story about the discrepancy, but no identifying information is available about the man in this photograph. On the subject of ruffians, wait until you hear about the photographer of this image. The magazine, The Camera and the Darkroom ( 1904) reported that Vetter was at odds with the family that lived in the house that was also the home of his studio. Vetter got a picture of the head of the family, who recently died. He enlarged the picture and fastened a rope around it at the neck, and hung it out the window. The daughter of the late man, got a step ladder and removed the photograph. A “war of words” followed and Vetter was arrested. He was arraigned in front of a judge for disorderly conduct and he was put up for bond to maintain the peace. The magazine used a humorous headline to describe this incident; “New Idea in Picture Hanging”.
PRETTY LADY WITH EXCELLENT FASHION SENSE IN WEST HOBOKEN, NEW JERSEY
This pretty West Hoboken lady dressed cool, before cool was invented. She clearly mastered the layered look, and the combination of textures composing her outfit, is phenomenal. Her very busy, but interesting hat, also adds to her “look”. This woman knew how to put herself together and likely was well aware that she had this talent. She is posed for this photograph in a studio faux park like setting which includes a live plant. The photographer is Charles A. Henkel. His studio was located in West Hoboken, New Jersey, from 1893 through at least 1900. An advertisement in the Photographic Times (1884) indicates that Henkel previously had a studio in Jersey City Heights, New Jersey.
NICE MUSTACHE IN TRENTON NEW JERSEY
This cabinet card features a well dressed gentleman with a noteworthy mustache. In fact, the mustache is so noteworthy, that it joins other cabinet cards featuring fantastic mustaches in Cabinet Card Gallery’s category of Mustaches (Only the Best). Click on the category and view the other mustaches. The photographer of this image is Henry C. Lovejoy (1838-1901) of Trenton, New Jersey. Lovejoy had a series of studios in Trenton between 1869 and 1900. A Trenton Times (1891) newspaper article interviewed Lovejoy about many issues pertaining to portrait photography. He stated that “the great art, however, is in placing a person in position. This can only be acquired by long practice and experience.” He added “the photographer must also by a physiognomist” because different people will photograph better in different positions. A physiognomist is an expert at the art of judging human character from facial features. Later in the same article, Lovejoy provides interesting comments about post mortem photography (photographing the dead).
YOUNG AFRICAN AMERICAN GIRL WITH BEAUTIFUL EYES IN BURLINGTON, NEW JERSEY
This young African American girl strikes a serious pose as she sits for her portrait at Tichenor’s Photo. Parlors in Burlington, New Jersey. She is dressed up and has bows in her hair for her day at the photographer’s studio. The New York Times reported the death of George Tichenor, photographer and artist on November 7, 1911. He died of a heart attack while setting up his camera to photograph a new ambulance in Burlington, New Jersey. The Times reported that Mr Tichenor was known as the South Jersey weather prophet, for his amazing ability to predict the weather months in advance.
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 