PRETTY WOMAN IN A FANCY DRESS IN SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK

A pretty woman sits in a wicker chair poses for her portrait at the Wheaton studio in Schenectady, New York. She appears pensive as she looks at the photographer. The woman is well dressed. Her blouse has “leg o mutton” sleeves. Such sleeves are voluminous around the biceps and shoulders while fitted at the lower arm and wrist. They became popular between 1825 and 1933. The style reappeared in fashion in the 1890’s and was gone by 1906. It was during the reemergnce of “leg o Mutton” sleeves that this photo was taken. The photographer of this image is Van B. Wheaton (1870-1948). The Anthony Photographic Bulletin (1897) reports Wheaton winning a medal at a photography exhibition. His son, Ivan P. Wheaton was a World War I aviator, race car driver, author, and photographer.  SOLD

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Published in: on July 26, 2020 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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PRETTY AND WIDE EYED YOUNG GIRL IN SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK

A pretty and wide-eyed young girl poses for her portrait at the Wheaton studio in Schenectady, New York. The girl is wearing a dark dress and a white lacy pinafore over it. She is also wearing a necklace and the beginning of a smile. The photographer of this image is Van B. Wheaton (1870-1948). The Anthony Photographic Bulletin (1897) reports Wheaton winning a medal at a photography exhibition. His son, Ivan P. Wheaton was a World War I aviator, race car driver, author, and photographer. This cabinet card portrait has excellent clarity and is in very good condition (see scans).   (SOLD)

Published in: on January 11, 2020 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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PRETTY YOUNG LADY IN SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK

PRETTY IN SCHNECTADY_0003A pretty young lady poses for photographer R. E. Atkinson at his studio at 257 and 259 State Street in Schenectady, New York.  The young woman in this image has a look that exudes an abundance of personality. Photographers took great pride in their work which is evident in Atkinson’s advertisement on the reverse of the photograph which states his occupation as  “Artist and Photographer”. Atkinson worked as a photographer in Schenectady from at least 1885 through 1888 when he was succeeded by a firm called Smith and Talbott. In 1906 he shows up in the Schenectady business directory again but this time his profession is listed as “nursery stock”. Research reveals that during the 1870’s Atkinson worked as a photographer in Troy, New York.

Published in: on July 22, 2013 at 11:12 am  Leave a Comment  
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OLD MAN WITH PIPE IN BALLSTON, NEW YORK

Mr E. H. Chapman posed for this cabinet card photograph at the studio of J. S. Wooley in Ballston, New York.  He inscribed the back of this card indicating that he turned 67 years old on September 17th, 1895. He gave the card to an unidentified person, to mark the occassion.  Mr Chapman’s eyes show a certain wisdom that only comes with age. His pipe and straw hat add much character to the image of this older gentleman.  Ballston, NY is in Saratoga County, and north of Schenectady. Research reveals that Edw H Chapman was President of the Ballston town board in 1856 and was involved in the manufacture of woolen goods and in 1867 had a business manufacturing bricks. Research also reveals that the photographer of this cabinet card is Jesse Sumner Wooley (1867-1943). At age 13 he worked for a photographer in Saratoga and in 1887 he opened his own photographic studio in Ballston Spa. He became a noted photographer as a result of his taking expeditions and chronicling them in the form of lantern slide/stereoptic lectures. In 1893 he and noted landscape photographer Seneca Ray Stoddard took a photographic expedition exploring the Adirondacks and they prepared a photographic lecture about this trip. Wooley also took similar expeditions to Florida (preparing a photographic historical presentation), the Chicago Exposition (Worlds Fair), New York City (100th anniversary of George Washington’s inaugaration), and to California (Yellowstone National Park). The Florida stereoptic lecture is one of the few professional lantern slide/stereoptic lectures that survive today.

Published in: on December 17, 2009 at 10:12 am  Leave a Comment  
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TWO CUTE NINETEENTH CENTURY KITTENS: EVEN WITH NINE LIVES THESE CATS CAN’T POSSIBLY STILL BE ALIVE

CENTURY CATS_0004This cabinet card image captures two very cute kittens sitting for their portrait at A. M. Powers studio in Schenectady, New York. One wonders how many photographs Mr Powers had to take before producing this very special cabinet card. The photographer, A. M. Powers is mentioned in the book, The History of County of Schenectady. It states that he resided in Schenectady beginning 1873 and opened his photographic gallery in 1879.

Published in: on July 1, 2009 at 12:01 am  Comments (1)  
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