An elderly man poses for his photograph at the studio of O. E. Dewey, in Troy, Pennsylvania. The reverse of the card identifies the subject as D. E. Haven and the time of the photograph according to the card stock, is 1887. Mr Haven has an interesting beard that resides mostly on his neck and below his chin. He is also wearing a pocket watch chain that has a charm. The charm appears to be from a fraternal organization and has a non photographic image of what may be, a swan. Orrin Emery Dewey (1858-1887) was born in Sullivan Township, Pennsylvania. Research yielded little about his life but it is known that upon his death, his studio was bought by F. M. Spencer. To view other interesting images of men with beards, click on the category of “Beards (Only the Best)”.
ELDERLY MAN IN TROY, PENNSLVANIA
OLDER BLACK MAN IN YORK, PENNSYLVANIA
This photograph features an older African American gentleman. He is nicely dressed in fancy clothing. Note his long coat. The gentleman appears to be displaying a friendly half smile. He has one hand on his hip; surely, he was told to pose in that manner. The reason for such instruction is not clear. The photographic studio that produced this image is Shadle & Busser of York, Pennsylvania. James Monroe Shadle was born in 1861 in Freeport, Pennsylvania. Oscar W. Busser died of Brights Disease at age 61, in 1921. The studio that bared their names was located at 20 South George Street (1887-1902), 44 South George Street (1903-1925), and 58 South Beaver Street (1925-1936). All of these locations were in York. To view other early photographs of African Americans, click on the category of “African Americans”. (SOLD)
MUSICAL GROUP IN LUZERNE, PENNSYLVANIA
This cabinet card captures five young adults who may be part of a musical group. One of the two woman in the photograph is holding a guitar; and that may be the only evidence that this group was in the business of making music. The men are all wearing derby hats. The woman with the guitar has a flower covered hat on her lap, and the second woman has a basket filled with flowers on her knees. There is also something odd included in the content of this photograph. There appears to be a sheet, or sheets, of paper on the ground between the two woman. Is that white square paper, sheet music, or is it a photographic flaw in the image? The photographer of this cabinet card is J. H. R. Kemp. His studio was located in Luzerne, Pennsylvania and his tenure there included the 1890’s.
HANDSOME MAN WITH A HANDSOME BEARD IN LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA
This cabinet card features a handsome gentleman with an interesting looking beard and mustache. The photographer of this image is Benjamin Franklin Saylor, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. His studio was the successor of Charles W. Eberman, in Lancaster. Saylor’s studio was located at 26 West King Street. Saylor was born in 1838 in Trappe, Pennsylvania. He was of German ancestry. Saylor was educated in public schools and at thirteen years of age, his father, a carpenter, died while doing work around his residence. Saylor moved to Philadelphia and at age 20, learned the business of photography. At age 27, he came to Lancaster and took over Eberman’s photo gallery. To view other interesting photographs of beards, click on the category of “Beards (Only the Best).
YOUNG AND HANDSOME SALVATION ARMY WORKER IN BANGOR, PENNSYLVANIA
A handsome young man poses for this portrait in his Salvation Army uniform. His embroidered shirt is labeled “Salvation Army” and has three crosses beneath the lettering. The gentleman’s hat also is labelled “Salvation Army”. The photographer is F. I. Stofflet of Bangor, Pennsylvania. Frank Stofflet was the subject of a law journal article (1894). Stofflet was the defendant against T. J. Stofflett in a case involving violation of a “no compete clause”. )To view other cabinet card images of Salvation Army workers; click on the category “Salvation Army”.
YOUNG GIRL AND HER BLACK LAB IN PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA
A young girl poses with her black dog (likely a Labrador Retriever) at the studio of George Jaeger, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The child is looking quite serious and one must wonder how the photographer was able to get the dog so nicely posed. The Lab is wearing something on his collar. The object is somewhat shaped like a barrel. Could it be a flask? Hopefully, a visitor to this site will leave a comment that identifies the object on the dog’s collar.
SALVATION ARMY COUPLE IN POTTSTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA
This cabinet card is a portrait of a young couple in their Salvation Army uniforms. The woman is wearing a pin on her collar, and the man is wearing a hat that identifies them as Salvation Army members. There is a great deal of familiarity between the couple which is illustrated by the woman resting her hand and part of her arm on the man’s shoulder. The photographer, Somiesky, was located in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. To see other photographs of Salvation Army members, click on Cabinet Card Gallery’s category of “Salvation Army”.
TWO PATRIOTS IN MILLERSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA PHOTOGRAPHED BY EX PITTSBURGH STEELERS COACH CHUCK NOLL
Cabinet Card’s often present more questions than answers; this is one of those images. The Cabinet Card features two men in uniform, wearing sashes that look like a portion of the American flag. Both men are wearing caps that display a number. Each man is also wearing a badge and ribbons on their jacket. One of the ribbons may say Washington Campaign and have Millersburg written on the bottom line, but this is just a hypothesis. Hopefully, a visitor to this site will share a more informed opinion about what organization these men may be representing. Are they Firemen, Railroad Workers, Military Veterans, Fraternal Organization Members, or some other specific occupational or service group? The photographer is Charles W. Noll. If his nickname was Chuck, than he is the unofficial namesake of the former football coach, Chuck Noll of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The photographer is listed in the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania directories of 1902 and 1904.
WASP WAIST FILLY IN PHILLIE, PENNSYLVANIA
A pretty woman poses for her portrait at the Chillman Studio in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The wasp waisted woman is beautifully dressed and with the assistance of a corset, has a terrific figure. The photographer, Phillip E. Chillman’s obituary appears in the Bulletin of Photography (1915). Chillman died in 1915 at the age of 73. He was a pioneer of photography in Philadelphia. He opened his studio on Arch Street in the early 1860’s. He held many photography patents. During his 15 year retirement he took up and excelled at water coloring. His work was exhibited at Pennsylvania, New York City, and Boston exhibitions. To view other photographs by Chillman, click on the category “Photographer: Chillman”.
BRASS BAND IN READING, PENNSYLVANIA
The Boys in the Band gather for this cabinet card photograph by photographer John Strunk, in Reading, Pennsylvania. The uniformed brass band consists of four member. A consultation from the Cabinet Card Gallery’s unpaid research department would be helpful, but for the time being, I will identify the bandsmen’s instruments as being a clarinet, trumpet, french horn and a flute. To view other photographs by Strunk, click on the category of “Photographer: Strunk”.
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 