This cabinet card photograph captures an older woman dressed in her mourning clothes. She has suffered a loss and is wearing black. The woman is also wearing earrings and a matching collar pin. The clarity of this image is notable. The photographic studio is Elite; located at No. 838 Market Street, San Francisco, California. The photographers are Jones & Lotz, who are listed on the reverse of the card. To view more of their photographs, click on the category “Photographer: Jones & Lotz”.
MOURNING IN SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
BIJOU HERON: BEAUTIFUL AMERICAN STAGE ACTRESS
This Cabinet Card presents the image of American stage actress Bijou Heron (1863-1937). She was the daughter of composer Robert August Stoepel and actress Matilda Heron. She began her career as a child. She married Broadway producer, writer, actor, and director, Henry Miller (1858-1926). Her son, Gilbert Miller became a very successful Broadway producer. The photograph was published for the Union Square Theatre Company. The photographic studio was Bradley & Rulofson in San Francisco, California. The reverse of the card indicates that the studio has the only “Elevator Photography” in the world. Perhaps a visitor to this site can explain the meaning of “Elevator Photography”. Research reveals that in 1872 the partners installed what they claimed to be the first hydraulic elevator ever to be associated with a photographic studio. The elevator cost them four thousand dollars. Henry William Bradley (1813-1891) and his partner William Rulofson (1826-1876) were partners in a photographic studio that photographed many notable Californians. Bradley was born in Wilmington, North Carolina, and grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana. He opened his San Francisco studio in 1850 and took in his partner in 1860. When he retired in 1878 his studio was considered the best on the west coast and won first prize at the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia in 1876. Mr Rulofson had quite a controversial and interesting life and associated with many famous people including Ambrose Bierce. Rulofson died in a fall from the roof of his studio and was heard to say during the descent, “I am killed”. You can view a second cabinet card of an actress by these photographers by clicking on the category “Photographer: Bradley & Rulofson”. Ms. Heron is dressed in costume for this portrait. It is likely that she was appearing in San Francisco with a touring company from the Union Square Theatre. The costume that she is wearing is one that she wore in the play “The Two Orphans” in which she appeared with actress Maud Harrison circa 1880. This cabinet card indicates that Bijou Heron was a strikingly beautiful woman.
INCREDIBLE MUSTACHE IN SAN FRANCISCO
Mr. George West poses for his photograph at the Morse studio in San Francisco, California. Mr. West is sporting an incredible mustache earning him a spot in this blog’s Mustache (Only the Best) category. Research reveals that the photographer of this cabinet card is George Daniels Morse (b1835-?). Morse was active in photography in Grenwich, New York; New York City; San Francisco (1862-1869 and 1896-1905); and Chicago. To view other photographs by Morse, click on Cabinet Card Gallery’s category “Photographer: Morse”.
CUTE BABY IN SAN FRANCISCO: “I COULD HAVE BEEN A GERBER BABY!”
This very cute baby was photographed by the Imperial Studio of San Francisco, California. The Cabinet Card is very different from most Cabinet Card photographs of infants. The more typical photo is one in which the baby is wrapped in a blanket and the baby’s whole body is in the image at a far distance. This baby is a adorable and could have been a commercial model if he or she was born in modern times.
Fashionable Woman in San Francisco
This Cabinet card by Rieman & Co. of San Francisco captures the image of a fashionable young woman in San Francisco, California. Rieman’s studio was in San Francisco in 1882 and he was partners with Forrest Chadbourne. Rieman opened a new studio in 1886 so it is clear that this photograph was taken between 1882 and 1886. To view other photographs by Rieman & Co., click on cabinet card gallery’s category “Photographer: Rieman”.
Tillie Salinger: Opera Star
This photograph is a cabinet card featuring opera star Tillie Salinger. She is photographed by a San Francisco, California photographer. Salinger performed in the late 1800’s and among her credits is the music ‘Looking Through the Gates (1892). To view other photographs by Louis Thors and to learn more about him, click on the category “Photographer: Thors”.
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 