A pretty light haired woman wearing a nice smile and a corsage, poses for her portrait at the Newman studio in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The leaves on the wall post create an autumn scene. Research found little information about photographer Newman. A photographer directory lists A. Newman as a gallery operator between the 1890’s and 1900. To view other photographs by this photographer, click on the category “Photographer: Newman”.
A soldier, armed with a rifle, poses for his portrait in Bristol, Pennsylvania. He appears to be standing outside but it is possible that he actually is posed in front of an excellent backdrop of an outside scene. The young man is in uniform wearing a long coat, cape, and hat. He appears to have a bayonet at his side. The previous owner of this cabinet card stated that he was an Indian War era soldier but I am wondering if he may be more likely from the Spanish American War era. Perhaps a visitor to the cabinet card gallery will enlighten us about the time period that this soldier served. There are a number of knowledgeable military collectors that visit this site who always are happy to share their wealth of information. The photographer of this image has the last name of Schafer and his studio was located on Otter Street. Judging by the monogram below the photograph, his first initial appears to be “A”. No further information about the photographer was located.
John D. Strunk , a photographer from Reading, Pennsylvania, produced this portrait of an attractive young family. Mother and father pose with their four young children. The children are so close in age that it is possible that two of them may be twins. The two girls in the front of the photograph are wearing similar but not identical dresses. Perhaps their mother made them with the same materials and creatively gave them some variation. This image is an excellent family portrait which manages to capture each child in a reasonably good pose. An advertisement on the reverse of the photograph boasts “Instantaneous Portraits of Children Successful Specialty”. The self promotion appears to be well deserved. To view other photographs by the Strunk gallery, click on the category “Photographer: Strunk”.
A pretty young woman poses for her portrait at the Fowler studio in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The subjects hair is nicely styled and she is wearing a ring, earrings and a necklace. To learn more about the photographer of this image, Lewis C. Fowler, and to view some of his photographs, click on the category “Photographer: Fowler (Lewis)”.
A young girl and her doll are the subjects of this cabinet card photograph. The doll is nearly as tall as the little girl. The studio that produced this image was Blaul & Baumgardner. Louis Blaul was a well known Philadelphia photographer who operated two studios in the city by 1890. Adolph J. Baumgardner was his business partner for a time in 1889. By 1890 Baumgardner was working with Louis H. Helbing at a studio on Lancaster Avenue in Philadelphia. Louis Blaul was succeeded by his son in the photography business. The son, Louis Adolph Blaul (1884-1954) was a law student at the University of Pennsylvania when his father died. He left his law studies to take over his fathers business.
An older man poses for his portrait at the studio of Adolph W. Rothengatter in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. While looking at this photograph I thought of a line in the lyrics of Billy Joel’s song “Piano Man”. “When I wore a younger man’s clothes” popped into my head. Something about the image made me think that this elderly man was wearing clothing that he had not worn for many years. At the time of this photograph, I think he looked a bit out of place in his “business clothes”. My thoughts on this matter probably reflect some sort of ageism. However, they are my thoughts and for some reason I wanted to share them. The photographer of this cabinet card operated his own business but during his career he also had partnerships which included “Rothengatter & Dillon” and “Rothengatter & Casselberry”.
A mother and her two daughters pose in kimonos at the studio of John S. Fritz in Reading, Pennsylvania. There was a time when wearing this Japanese style clothing was quite popular in parts of the United States. This is apparent because it is not uncommon to find cabinet card era photographs with subjects wearing kimonos. A number of historical fashion experts visit the cabinet card gallery and hopefully some of them will weigh in on this subject. To learn more about photographer J. S. Fritz and to view more of his photographs, click on category “Photographer: Fritz JS”.
“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.
A pretty young woman poses for photographer George W. Bew in his studio. The studio was located at 1725 Germantown Avenue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is wearing a fashionable hat and an interesting necklace with a locket. She is also wearing earrings. A story about photographer George W. Bew (1835-1913) appears in the “Historical Journal ” (2012) of the Lititz Historical Foundation. Lititz is a town in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Apparently, after working as a photographer in Philadelphia (he is listed in the 1881 city directory), Bew moved his business to Lititz. Between 1890 and 1896 his business in Lititiz was known as the “Broad Street Gallery”. Between 1900 and 1913 his gallery was located at 162 Locust Street in Lititz. The Bulletin of Photography (1913) announced Bew’s death. The brief article mentioned that he was still working as a photographer at the time of his death, even though he was 80 years old. Another source listed his death age as seventy-eight.
“Now, for a special treat, step right up and watch an amazing feat. A mom, from her sitting position, will juggle her twin babies.” Fortunately, the only juggling this mother likely did was what most mothers do. Moms’ tend to be amazing in the way they successfully juggle their children’s needs and other important responsibilities; and do so much, so effectively. The mother and two children in this photograph are unidentified. The children are most likely twins. The photographer of this image is Pross, whose studio was located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. Research revealed no biographical information about the photographer. However, a photograph dated 1894 was discovered that indicated that the successor to Pross’s business was a photographer with the last name of Hunter. Therefore, the above photograph was taken sometime before 1894.
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 