HANDSOME DEVIL IN ALLENTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA

allentown man_0003

A handsome well dressed and devilish looking man poses for his portrait at Lindenmuth’s studio which was located at 24 North 6th Street in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He looks terrific in his three piece suit and his well groomed beard and handlebar mustache. Writing on the reverse of the photograph dates the image as being produced in 1899. The photographer of this portrait is primarily known for his work as an artist. Arlington Nelson Lindenmuth (1856-1950) was an American landscape and portrait painter who lived and painted in Allentown and the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania native was a member of the “Baum Circle”., the group of artists either were taught by or influenced by Pennsylvania impressionist painter, Walter Emerson Baum. Lindenmuth was also one of the earliest professional photographers in the Lehigh Valley area. He opened his first studio in Allentown in 1881. Prior to that, he operated studios in  Tamaqua, Philadelphia, and Pottstown. All three cities are in Pennsylvania. As early as 1862, Lindenmuth was also employed as a traveling sales representative for Eastman Kodak. To view other photographs by Lindenmuth, click on the category “Photographer: Lindenmuth”.

THEATER ACTOR H. J. MONTAGUE AND HIS CHECKERED TIE AND JACKET

MONTAGUE_0003One wouldn’t think that a man could wear a checkered tie with a checkered jacket and still look dashing, but theater actor H. J. Montague is able to accomplish this feat. The photographer of this cabinet card portrait is theater specialist, Jose Mora. To view more of his celebrity photographs, click on category “Photographer: Mora”. The reverse of this image has an address and a return address as if it had been mailed. However, there is no stamp or postmark. The photograph is addressed to a “Jane Mure” in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The script is written in very ornate calligraphy. Surprisingly, both the return and sending addresses have Philadelphia zip codes. Since zip codes are from the twentieth century (1963), it appears that someone may have added the ornate script to give the card more character but wasn’t aware, or not thinking about, the relative recent introduction of the zip code system. Henry James Montague (1844-1878) was the stage name of Henry James Mann. He was an American actor born in England. He appeared in T W Robertson’s comedies in London and in 1870 was a founder of London’s Vaudeville Theater. He came to the United States in 1874 and made quite a splash. He became a matinee idol. George Odell wrote that Montague was “a perfect specimen of refined English Manhood”. He was said to have “made other leading men seem boorish, ill dressed and possibly a bit vulgar”. Montague died quite young, about 34 years old. According to the New York Times (1878) while playing a role in a San Francisco production, he fell extremely ill from a “hemorrhage of the lungs”. He required medical attention from some theater goers and was taken to a hotel to recuperate. He rallied only briefly. During a visit from friends he became acutely ill and his last words as he was dying were reported to be,  “It’s no use, I am going boys; God bless you”. The New York Times covered his funeral. Attendees of his funeral include the “A” list of that era’s theater world. Mourners included Lester Wallack, Kate Claxton, Rose Coghlan, and Maud Granger. The afore mentioned three actresses all have portraits that can be viewed in the Cabinet Card Gallery by utilizing the search box.

PRETTY YOUNG WOMAN IN PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA

PHILLIE LADY_0008A pretty young woman with her hair up, wears a scarf and necklace as she poses for her portrait at the Chillman studio in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. To learn more about P. E. Chillman and to view a collection of his photographs, click on the category “Photographer: Chillman”.

 

Published in: on April 7, 2013 at 12:01 am  Comments (2)  
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YOUNG GYPSY WOMAN IN ELMIRA, NEW YORK

R. F. Snyder of Elmira, New York produced this cabinet card photograph of a young gypsy woman. One can not be certain whether this image displays a young gypsy woman, or a young woman dressed to appear as a gypsy. She is wearing the appropriate ethnic clothing and is holding cymbals. The reverse of the photograph has a copyright date of 1889. This cabinet card does not represent good quality posing skills on the part of the photographer. The subject was photographed at too great a distance and she is consumed by the large blank expanse of the floor beneath her and the wall behind her. Ralph F. Snyder was born about 1852 in Berwick, Pennsylvania. His father, John Snyder, was a photographer. Ralph Snyder began his photography career at age 18 and soon had a studio in Scranton, Pennsylvania (1873). He also worked in Philadelphia before coming to Elmira, New York to open his gallery. His studio in Elmira was located at 116 Baldwin (1891).

Published in: on October 27, 2012 at 12:01 am  Comments (2)  
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HANDSOME MAN WITH WIRY BEARD IN PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA

This cabinet card portrait features a handsome man with a wiry beard. His beard qualifies him to enter the cabinet card gallery’s category  “Beards (Only the Best)”.   Click on the category to see an interesting photographic collection of men with notable beards. This photograph was produced by the Gilbert & Bacon studio in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. To view other photographs by this studio and to learn more about the photographers, click on the category “Photographer: Gilbert & Bacon”.

PRETTY LIGHT HAIRED WOMAN IN PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA

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”.

Published in: on October 7, 2012 at 12:01 am  Leave a Comment  
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INTELLECTUAL MAN POSES FOR HIS PORTRAIT IN PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA

This cabinet card features a well dressed man posing for his portrait at the studio of Phillip E. Chillman in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This gentleman looks like an intellectual. Perhaps its his wire rim glasses and well trimmed beard that contributes to his appearance of  intellectual prowess. However, I think his expressive eyes are what makes him appear so  bright. His eyes can best be described as analytical. This guy is taking it all in, and processing it. To learn more about the photographer, and to view more of his photographers, click on the category “Photographer: Chillman”.

Published in: on September 26, 2012 at 12:01 am  Leave a Comment  
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PRETTY AND FASHIONABLE YOUNG WOMAN IN PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA

A young woman poses for her portrait in the studio of Louis Blaul located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The bejeweled woman is very attractive and dressed beautifully. She has accessorized herself with a necklace, ring and earrings. To view other photographs by Blaul, and to learn more about him, click on the category “Photographer: Blaul”.

Published in: on August 26, 2012 at 12:01 am  Leave a Comment  
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“WHEN I WORE A YOUNGER MAN’S CLOTHES” IN PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA

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”.

Published in: on August 6, 2012 at 12:01 am  Comments (1)  
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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.