This vintage real photo postcard features two handsome uniformed sailor in an affectionate pose. This is a studio photograph and is likely one-of-a-kind. (SOLD)
HANDSOME SAILOR : USS FISH HAWK : NAVY : APALACHICOLA, FLORIDA: CABINET CARD
This cabinet card portrait features a young and handsome naval sailor in uniform. His cap reveals that he was part of the crew of the USS Fish Hawk. The ship was launched in 1879. Originally, called the USFC Fish Hawk, the ship was a fisheries science research ship. It conducted research and ran a large fish hatchery on board. The ship was operated by the United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries. The Fish Hawk was the first large ship built by any country for the purpose of promoting fisheries. The ship operated during it’s 46 year career along the US eastern coast and in the Gulf of Mexico. However, the ship also served in the US Navy in 1898 during the Spanish-American War and from 1918 to 1919. The sailor seen in this cabinet card portrait was serving on the ship during the Spanish-American War. The sailor had his photograph taken a the Ferris studio in Apalachicola, Florida. The city of Apalachicola is located on the shore of Apalachicola Bay, an inlet of the Gulf of Mexico. The city was captured by the Union navy early in the Civil War. Before the late 19th century, Apalachicola was the third busiest port on the Gulf of Mexico. It was only behind New Orleans and Mobile. This cabinet card portrait is an interesting remnant of American naval history. SOLD
NAVAL CASUALTY MEMORIAL CARD FOR BRITISH SAILOR (HONG KONG, 1912)
This cabinet card is a memorial photograph of J. W. Stubbs who was accidentally killed in Hong Kong. Stubbs was a stoker (tended to the engine) aboard the H.M.S. Astraea. He died in 1912 and this cabinet card was made by his shipmates in his memory. The image of this smiling and handsome 20 year-old sailor, who died tragically, evokes much sadness. The Astraea was a cruiser of the Royal Navy. She was commissioned for service in 1895 and was active in World War I. She was scrapped in 1920. The photographer who made this memorial card was A. Hing of Hong Kong. (SOLD)
A SHIP CAPTAIN IN PANAMA : IDENTIFIED AS W. C. GIBB : CALM STUDIO : CABINET CARD
This photograph features a ship captain posing at the Calm Studio, located at the Plazuela De Alfaro in Panama. The card is inscribed to Mr. and Mrs. Wilson and signed by W. C. Gibb. The captain is wearing a nautical uniform and it is unknown whether he is a military or a civilian sailor. Research reveals that the Alfaro Plaza may be named after Jose Eloy Alfaro Delgado (1842 -1912) who was a President of Ecuador who was a strong opponent of pro Catholic conservatism and whose views and actions caused him to be exiled to Panama in 1911. A year later he returned to Ecuador, where he was imprisoned; and then taken from the prison by a mob and executed. SOLD
YOUNG WOMAN POSES FOR PORTRAIT : NAUTICAL THEME : CROUCH END, ENGLAND
A pretty young woman wearing a sailor dress poses with a boat oar, rope, and life preserver at the Williams studio in Crouch End, England. Hopefully, she didn’t get her hair wet because her hair is so long that it might take decades to dry. This nautical minded subject appears to be standing on the steps outside a building, though it is possible that she is actually inside a studio in front of a terrific backdrop. Crouch End is five miles outside of London. SOLD
A SAILOR AND HIS GUN ON DECK IN NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND
A nice looking young sailor poses for his portrait at the Rembrandt Studio in Newport, Rhode Island. Newport is a seaport and the sailor was likely in town on leave. While visiting the area he decided to capture his likeness at the studio. Perhaps he sent the resulting photograph to his family or girlfriend. He, or the photographer, chose an appropriate background for the portrait. The sailor is depicted aboard a ship, in uniform, and holding a rifle with a bayonet. The lettering on his sailor cap can only be partially read. The word “squadron” is proceeded by an unknown word which probably is the name of an area of the world where his ship was assigned. Perhaps a visitor to the cabinet card gallery can identify the sailors naval unit and rank. Research yielded no information pertaining to the Rembrandt Studio. SOLD
PORTRAIT OF AN ADORABLE BROTHER AND SISTER BY A FRENCH PHOTO STUDIO
This real photo postcard features an adorable brother and sister. The siblings are holding hands as they pose for this studio photograph. The boy looks handsome in his sailor outfit and the little girl appears precious as she holds her doll against her body. This postcard is of French origin and dates back to the 1920’s. (SOLD)
HANDSOME SAILOR POSES FOR HIS PORTRAIT IN ENGLAND (VINTAGE POSTCARD)
This item is a vintage real photo postcard featuring a portrait of a handsome young sailor. He looks quite dashing in his naval uniform. The young man was photographed by the J. S. Bullen studio which had two locations in England. The studio had branches in Grimsby and Louth. Bullen operated his studio in the 1910′s and 1920′s. He also may have worked as a photographer in other decades. SOLD
TWO ADORABLE LITTLE BOYS AND A NAUTICAL THEME IN SOUTHPORT, ENGLAND
This cabinet card portrait features two adorable little boys dressed in sailor suits sitting on a faux mast. Nautical themes such as this one were popular during the cabinet card era. Interestingly, the producer of this image, was located in a seaside town. Maddock Brown & Company operated in Southport, England. SOLD
SLOW BOAT TO VALLEJO, CALIFORNIA: YOUNG SAILOR AT COMMAND
This cabinet card portrait features a young boy wearing a sailor’s uniform at the wheel of a faux ship located at the Solano Art Studio in Vallejo, California. The photographer is Charles McMillan. The little sailor’s uniform looks very realistic and his hat and lanyard are a nice touch. The backdrop, depicting the sea, is also quite effective. However, the photographer’s use of a fur on the deck was certainly not consistent with the nautical scene he was trying to create. The book “Vallejo” (2004) by James E. Kern, includes an 1895 photograph of Charles McMillan’s studio. The building was located at 314 Georgia Street. McMillan was born in Canada in 1853. He began his photography career at the age of sixteen in Chicago, Illinois. He moved to California in 1879 and became a travelling photographer. He operated his studio out of a tent. He eventually decided to settle down and opened a studio in Vallejo. One source reports that McMillan was such a success upon opening his studio that the competing photographer in town was forced to move his business elsewhere. In 1883 McMillan married Californian Isabell Floto.
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 