This Cabinet card is an image of Sir Charles Skelton. Research about this interesting man reveals that his name shows up in all sorts of places. He was a busy man with many interests. He died in 1913 after suffering a stroke. He was considered a modern puritan. He was very engaged in and financially supportive of the Methodist New Connexion Body in Sheffield, England. He was also very active in the big spending highway committee of the Sheffield City Council. He was a major proponent of the use of granite in highway and transportation construction. This was a controversial issue and a anti-granite association was formed to oppose him. In 1895, he became Mayor of Sheffield. In 1897, during a visit from Queen Victoria, Skelton was knighted. Sir Charles Skelton is cited in many varied publications. In 1897, he was mentioned by the British Medical Journal as active in advocating the study and eradication of Tuberculosis. In 1904, The Zoophilist and Animals Defender, reports that Skelton was an active advocate of the antivivisection organization. (Vivisection is conducting surgery on animals for simply experimental purposes). Skelton was a man before his time; if alive today he would be anti animal testing and a member of PETA. It is written that “he was one of the really big men of the City” who was known for his integrity, thoroughness, and “unswerving honesty of purpose”. The man was a non conformist; he opposed militarism (the boer war), and was a teetotaller and opposed liquor traffic. The photographer of this image is J. Crosby of Rotherham, England. Rotherham is a town in South Yorkshire. Rotherham and Sheffield are about four miles apart. The reverse of this card has an inscription stating “Uncle Sir Charles Skelton”. (SOLD)
SIR CHARLES SKELTON: MAN FOR ALL SEASONS
A PRETTY WOMAN WEARING A MINK STOLE : ITS THE WHOLE MINK : NOT JUST THE FUR
This uncommon real photo postcard features a pretty woman wearing a mink stole. Shockingly, it is not just a fur stole, it’s a whole mink. The animals head, feet and tail are all included. PETA would not approve. Personally, I make it a policy to never wear anything with a face. However, this postcard is from the c.1920’s and wearing a whole mink was likely not politically incorrect or a violation of social values and social norms. This is an unusual postcard. The photo has exceptional clarity and the photographer posed the young woman and her stole excellently. (SOLD)
WOMAN WEARING MASSIVE FUR COLLAR IN SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
A young woman poses for her photograph at Cobb’s Dore Gallery in San Francisco, California. The woman appears to have a live animal wrapped around her neck, but instead, she’s actually wearing a very intense fur collar. If she was living in modern day San Francisco, she would be a likely target for a lecture, or a paint job, from a PETA member. David Cobb was the proprietor of the Dore Gallery (1881-1889) at the time this photograph was produced. Prior to operating the Dore Gallery, he was a partner in the Edouart & Cobb studio, which was also located in San Francisco. To see other images by Cobb, click on the category “Photographer: Edouart & Cobb”.
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 