FRANCIS WILSON: EARLY AMERICAN THEATRE STAR, PLAYWRIGHT, AND AUTHOR

Francis Wilson (1854-1935) was an American actor born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He began his career in minstrel shows but by the time he was 24 year-old he was playing in Philadelphia’s Chestnut Theatre. He worked several years in regular comedy and later took up opera, most successfully in “Eminie” (1886). He later starred in “The Oolah” (1889), The Lion Tamer (1891), The Little Corporal (1898), and then in a play that he authored, “The Bachelor’s Baby (1909). Wilson authored additional plays as well as books. He wrote  books about fellow actors Joseph Jefferson and John Wilkes Booth. He also penned an autobiography. The photographer of this cabinet card portrait of the handsome Wilson, is Falk, a photographer known for his celebrity portraits. This cabinet card has an extremely slight curl and is in overall good condition (see scans).

This cabinet card is available for purchase at The History Peddler for $48.00 or Best Offer.

Interested collectors may view the listing here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/336018638873

Published in: on December 9, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Comments (1)  
Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

PRETTY WOMAN IN PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA (FASHIONABLE TOO!)

PRETTY WOMAN IN PHILADELPHIA : GIRL NEXT DOOR LOOKS : FASHIONABLE : CABINET CARD - Picture 2 of 3

A beautiful woman, fashionably dressed, is the subject of this cabinet card image. She is perfectly posed by the photographer. The studio that took this photograph is Chandler & Scheetz, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. To view other images by Chandler and Scheetz, click on the category “Photographer: Chandler & Scheetz.  SOLD

Published in: on April 28, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
Tags: , ,

ARTIFICIAL LEGS : GEORGE R. FULLER CO : USS MAINE : ADVERTISING TRADE CARD 1898

This vintage trade card advertises the George R. Fuller Co., manufacturer of Artificial Limbs, Trusses, and other products. This advertising trade card focuses on “The Fuller Walkeasy” artificial leg. The firm was established in 1857 and was located in Rochester, New York. The firm also had branches in Buffalo, New York and in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The company issued a set of 15 cards illustrating different ships of the US Navy. This card features the USS Maine which in early 1898, tragically suffered a massive explosion on board causing the ship to sink in the harbor of Havana, Cuba. Interestingly, this trade card has a copyright from 1898. The card was published by Koerner & Hayes.  SOLD

Published in: on February 18, 2025 at 8:36 pm  Leave a Comment  
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

CIVIL WAR AERONAUT’S STUDIO PHOTOGRAPHS MAN WEARING BOW TIE IN PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA

 

This cabinet card is a portrait of a well dressed gentleman sporting a bow tie. Cabinet card portraits of men with bow ties are not common place. The photographer is Paullin, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  Further investigation is required, but this photographic studio may likely be the studio of William Paullin. W. F. Paullin (1812-1871) was an aeronaut who built his first balloon at the age of 21. He flew balloons in Philadelphia and other parts of the world including South America, Cuba, Haiti, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. During the civil war he was in the service of the balloon corps of the Army of the Potomac. His final ascension was under the command of General Joseph Hooker. After resigning from the Army, he became a photographer. This cabinet card was most likely produced after the death of Paullin. Perhaps a family member, or someone else continued the studio under the Paullin name. Further fact checking is needed.  This cabinet card portrait is in good condition (see scans).

Buy this Cabinet Card Photograph (includes shipping within the US) #6341

To purchase this item, click on the Pay with Paypal button below

$36.00

Buy this Vintage Original Cabinet Card (includes International shipping outside the US) #6341

To purchase this item, click on the Pay with Paypal button below

$46.00

Published in: on October 7, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
Tags: , , , , , , ,

MRS JAMES BROWN POTTER (SOCIALITE AND THEATRE ACTRESS)

CABINET CARD 1  (SOLD)

CABINET CARD CARD 2


BROWNPOTTER_0008CABINET CARD 3

In writing about Mrs James Brown Potter, an author stated “She was singularly beautiful with her pale delicate chiseled face, long dark eyes, and hair like burnished bronze with copper lights”. Mrs Brown Potter (1859-1936) was born Mary Cora Urquhart,  the daughter of a wealthy  New Orleans Colonel. She was one of the first American society women to join the stage. In 1877 she married a very wealth New York socialite, James Brown Potter. That same year she made her stage debut at Theatre Royal in Brighton, England. Soon thereafter, she partnered with actor Kyrle Bellew and they frequently performed together over a ten year period. She performed in the United States and in Europe. She retired from the stage in 1912. She was active in raising money for war charities during the Second Boer War. Mrs Brown Potter was considered a competent actress, but not an outstanding performer.

In the Cabinet Card 1 photograph, Mrs. Potter looks very beautiful as she peers through a curtained doorway. Her gown was likely made by the best dress makers of the time and was assuredly very expensive. Falk, the photographer of this cabinet card, was a famous celebrity photographer in New York City. To see other photographs by Falk, click on the category “Photographer: Falk”.  (SOLD)

The Cabinet Card 2 photograph of Cora Potter was photographed by Kuebler of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She appears to be in costume and is clearly a beautiful woman with fetching eyes. To view other photographs by and to learn more about Kuebler, click on the category “Photographer: Kuebler”.

The Cabinet Card 3 photograph of Mrs Potter was produced by Jose Maria Mora, a celebrity photographer based in New York City. The image was part of a series (#7). To view other photographs by this photographer, click on the category “Photographer: Mora”. Mrs Potter looks quite elegant in this cabinet card portrait. Her hat can best be described as “floral”. The photograph is stamped on the reverse with the name of the gallery that originally sold it (“John Hoch Art Store, 118 Court Street, Boston”). Hoch’s obituary appears in the Bulletin of Photography and the article reports that he was the first among Boston’s photographers to sell photographs of celebrities. He had been engaged in the photography and picture frame business in Boston for more than fifty years. The obituary mentions that he was of German heritage and was 84 years old at the time of his death. His cause of death was cerebral hemorrhage.

Published in: on April 23, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Comments (1)  
Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

SEATED YOUNG WOMAN WITH AN OPEN BOOK : BIBLE : CABINET CARD (1886)

This cabinet card portrait features a seated young woman holding a book with many pages. It is likely that the book is a bible. The woman appears to be in her teenage years. She is dressed well but not overly fancy. Note her lace collar and the multiple buttons on the front of her dress. This photograph is from the Chillman studio in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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. An inscription on the reverse of this photograph indicates that it was taken in 1886.  SOLD

Published in: on August 5, 2023 at 7:45 am  Comments (4)  
Tags: , ,

ETHEL BARRYMORE: A STAGE BEAUTY

blog1CABINET CARD 1

CABINET CARD 2

                                                                                                                                      brrymore

                                                                 POSTCARD 1  (SOLD)

ethelPOSTCARD 2  (SOLD)

barrymorePOSTCARD 3

barrymore-againPOSTCARD 4   (SOLD)

BARRYMORE PCPOSTCARD 5  (SOLD)

ETHEL BARRYMORE: STAGE BEAUTY : BROADWAY : RPPC (1906) - Picture 1 of 2POSTCARD 6 (SOLD)

Ethel Barrymore (1879-1959) was an outstanding American actress and a member of the famous theatrical Barrymore family. She was born Ethel Mae Blythe in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her parents were actors and she was the sister of John and Lionel Barrymore.  She was the great aunt of modern day actress Drew Barrymore.

Ethel Barrymore was considered by many to be the greatest actress of her generation. She was a major Broadway performer and first appeared there in 1895. She had roles in A Dolls House by Ibsen (1905).  She was a strong supporter of the Actors’ Equity Association and played a major role in the 1919 strike. She played in Somerset Maugham’s comedy, The Constant Wife (1926). She also starred in motion pictures beginning her film career in 1914.  Notable films included None but the Lonely Heart (1944) and The Spiral Staircase (1946). Around 1900, Winston Churchill proposed marriage to Barrymore but she refused. She later married Russell Griswold Colt in 1909 and had three children. She died of cardiovascular disease in 1959 at her home in California. The Ethel Barrymore Theatre in New York City is named in her honor.

The cabinet card 1 portrait of Ethel Barrymore was photographed by Phillips Photographers of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. To view other photographs by Phillips, click on the category “Photographer: Phillips”. The second image (cabinet card 2) of the actress was produced by Sarony, the famous celebrity photographer who’s studio was located in New York City. To see other Sarony photographs, click on the category “Photographer: Sarony”.

The third portrait of Miss Barrymore appears on postcard 1, published by the Rotograph Company who operated in  New York City and Germany. This postcard portrait was taken by famed Chicago photographer William Morrison. He is well known for his excellent portraits of theatrical stars. He produced both real photo postcards and cabinet cards. This postcard is number HB/1422 of the “Rotograph Series”. The image on this postcard is color tinted. This postcard has been mailed and postmarked (1907). The reverse of this postcard can be seen below.To view other photographs by Morrison, click on the category “Photographer: Morrison”.

The fourth portrait of Ethel Barrymore is an uncommon one (postcard 2). The image provides a lovely profile view of this legendary actress. If you search for this exact postcard online, you likely won’t find it. This postcard was published by E. Frey & Company who operated in  New York City . Research reveals that postcards displaying the printed name of  “E. Frey” were actually published by the Souvenir Post Card Company which existed between 1905 and 1914. It was located at 268 Canal Street in New York City. The company was purchased by Valentine & Sons and the combined company became Valentine – Souvenir. This postcard was printed in Germany and is in good condition (see scan).

The fifth photograph (postcard 3) of Miss Barrymore was published by the Rotograph Company. This postcard portrait was taken by famed Chicago celebrity photographer William Morrison.This postcard is number B 662 of the “Rotograph Series”. The image has excellent clarity.

The sixth image (postcard 4) is a vintage real photo postcard portrait of Ethel Barrymore. The postcard was published by Albert Hahn who was based in New York City (200 Broadway) and Hamburg. Hahn operated his company between 1901 and 1919. The postcard was produced in Germany sometime in the decade of 1900-1910. The postcard is part of a series (no. 5271).  (SOLD)

Postcard 5 offers a profile view of Miss Barrymore. The postcard was published by the Rotograph Company as part of the Rotograph Series (No. A 112). The photographer of this image is Burr McIntosh of New York City. William Burr McIntosh (1862-1942) lived an interesting life. Among his job titles listed by Wikipedia, are photographer, lecturer, film studio owner, silent film actor, publisher of the “Burr McIntosh Monthly”, reporter, and radio and early film pioneer. His sister was Nancy McIntosh, a noted operatic soprano. He was a graduate of Lafayette College in 1884. His most noted film role was his appearance in D. W. Griffith’s film, “Way Down East” (1920). Wikipedia notes that he appeared in 53 films between 1914 and 1934. This vintage postcard is in very good condition.

Postcard 6 is a portrait of Miss Barrymore that was postmarked in 1907.   (SOLD)

barrymore AGAIN 1

POSTCARD 4

studholme pc 3

        POSTCARD 5   

ETHEL BARRYMORE: STAGE BEAUTY : BROADWAY : RPPC (1906) - Picture 2 of 2Postcard 6 (Sold)

Published in: on April 4, 2023 at 10:25 pm  Comments (5)  
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

PORTRAIT OF A YOUNG WOMAN : FASHION : PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA : CABINET CARD

This cabinet card portrait features a pretty young young woman fashionably dressed. Note the pin that she is wearing on her collar. The manner in she is dressed strongly suggests that she is from an affluent family. This photograph was taken at the original Fowler Studio in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (SOLD)

Published in: on January 26, 2023 at 12:00 pm  Comments (2)  
Tags: , ,

JENNIE WINSTON: INTERCONTINENTAL COMIC OPERA ACTRESS

CcCABINET CARD 1

  1. CABINET CARD 2  (SOLD)
  2. CABINET CARD 3    (SOLD)

gambier

CABINET CARD 4   (SOLD)

Cabinet Card 1 features early theatre actress, Jennie Winston. Unfortunately, biographical information concerning Ms. Winston appears to be sparse, and further research is necessary. An 1881 publication reveals that Jennie Winston was a native of Scotland and moved to Australia to join W. S. Lyster’s Italian Opera company. Her tenure with this company was seven years. She next went ot America under engagement to “Mr Maguire”, for whom she worked for one season’s duration. She then formed her own traveling opera company which journeyed to the western United States and British Columbia. The “Dramatic News” described Winston as “unsurpassed as a comic-opera artist by anyone in this country”. The photographer of this portrait was the studio belonging to Gilbert & Bacon. This studio was well known for their quality work as well as their work with local and visiting celebrities. To view other photographs by this studio, click on the category of “Photographer: Gilbert & Bacon”.

Cabinet Card 2 also by Gilbert & Bacon, captures a costumed Jennie Winston playing the mandolin. Note the backdrop  used in this photograph. The backdrop was an excellent choice for the photograph as it is compatible with Ms. Winston’s costume. It was also a good choice technically; the actress does realistically appear to be standing on a winding stone road.  (SOLD)

Cabinet Card 3 presents a portrait featuring a sultry looking Jennie Winston. The photograph is by celebrated photographer, Marc Gambier (1838-1900).  (SOLD)

Cabinet Card 4 was also photographed by Gambier. Miss Winston is in costume for an unnamed theatrical performance. She is acting in the portrait. Note her provocative and coy appearance. Gambier was born and educated in Paris, France. At the age of 19, he came to America for a very short stint of time. He returned to France and became a student of the great painter, Le Creton. Subsequently, he became a student of another great painter, Camino. He then returned to America and for five years, studied and worked under esteemed photographer, Sarony (view Sarony’s photographs by clicking on the category “Photographer: Sarony”). He then launched his own photography business in New York City. He divided his time between his first love, painting, and his business of taking and selling photographs. Gambier was known as a great historical painter. He was a veteran of the French Army and while in the service, he sketched and painted several important battles. Research reveals that Gambier was listed in the 1880 US census. He was forty-one years old and living in New York City with his family. He is listed as living with his wife Emilie (age 28), daughters Louise (age 10) and Emilie (age 7), and son M. L. (age 2). Also in the residence was a young woman (age 25) who worked as a servant. Gambier was known for the many theatrical photographs he produced as well as for selling postage stamp sized portrait photographs, that people attached to their letters and postcards.   (SOLD)

Published in: on November 4, 2022 at 12:00 pm  Comments (4)  
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

GENTLEMAN WITH A NOTABLE BEARD IN PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA (RARE FEMALE PHOTOGRAPHER)

Regular visitors to the Cabinet Card Gallery know that this writer has a bit of an obsession with photographs of interesting beards and mustaches. The fellow posing for this cabinet card earns a spot in the “Beards (Only the Best) category. You can view the beard collection by clicking on the aforementioned category. A. M. Gorman of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, produced this image of an interesting looking gentleman. Research yielded some surprising information about the photographer. A. M. Gorman is a female photographer whose full name was Annie M. Gorman. She was listed as a photographer in the 1881 Philadelphia city directory. She also appears in the 1880 US census which lists her occupation as photographer. At the time of the census she was 36 years old and single. Preliminary research yielded very little information about Miss Gorman. A story is waiting to be written about this pioneering female photographer. I wonder how many of her photographs still survive. This image is likely one of the few survivors. To view other women photographers, click on the category “Female Photographers”. This cabinet card portrait is in very good condition (see scans).

 

gorman1-1

Buy this Cabinet Card (includes shipping within the US) #3455

To purchase this item, click on the Pay with PayPal button below

$100.00

gorman1-2

Buy this Cabinet Card Photograph (includes International shipping outside the US) 3455

To purchase this item, click on the Pay with PayPal button below

$109.00

Published in: on March 15, 2021 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
Tags: , ,
« Older Entries