THREE MEN IN A FAUX PLANE : NOVELTY STUDIO RPPC : BRICKFIELD HILL : AUSTRALIA

This vintage real photo postcard features three affectionate well dressed  men sitting in a faux airplane flying over a painted ocean. This novelty real photo postcard was produced by the Crystal Palace studio which was located in Brickfield Hill, Sydney, Australia. There is an amusing message on this postcard. Harry writes to Lucy and that she should tell Ben to get lots of booze for a planned get-together. He adds “we all like a little draft of whiskey”. He also asks her how she enjoyed her first “motor ride”. In the message, Harry descibes his flight on the pictured “airship” as if it was a real plane.  (SOLD)

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Published in: on February 19, 2022 at 12:00 pm  Comments (2)  
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PRETTY YOUNG WOMAN IN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA (PORTRAIT BY HENRY WALTER BARNETT)

A pretty young woman poses for her portrait at the Falk studio in Sydney, Australia. She is beautifully dressed, and has an attractive figure (give an assist to her corset). The photographer of this image was quite well known in his time. Henry Walter Barnett (1862-1934) was born in St. Kilda, Victoria. His parents were London-born Jews. Barnett began his career as an assistant to photographer Robert Stewart in 1875. When he was 21 years old he set up a studio in Hobart. He sold it to his partner in 1884 and went to London where he joined society photographers W. & D. Downey (click on cabinet card gallery category “Photographer: W & D Downey” to see some of their photographs). He returned to Australia and opened the Falk Studios in Sydney in 1887. He quickly became of the leading portrait photographers in the country. The Australian Dictionary of Biography states that “he was distinguished for his ability to bring out bone-structure and texture of the skin.” He was known as a perfectionist and he employed the most skilled craftsmen to work in his studio. He was said to have a flair for conducting business, paying little attention to cost. However, he asked “unheard-of-fees” for his services. Among his sitters were many celebrities, including Sarah Bernhardt and many other theatrical stars. In 1889 he married 20 year-old Hilda (Ella) Frances Clement Forbes”. The couple became known for their lavish entertaining. In 1896 Barnett became involved in early Australian Cinematography when he filmed scenes of the Melbourne Cup. In 1897 Barnett relocated to London where he operated a studio at Hyde Park Corner and later at Knightsbridge. His subjects included many royals and high society individuals. In 1920 Barnett sold his studio and retired in Southern France. He could not rest long and soon was involved in the collection and sale of contemporary French art.

Published in: on October 29, 2012 at 12:01 am  Leave a Comment  
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PORTRAIT OF THE SHELTON FAMILY IN BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA

The Shelton family poses for their family portrait at the studio of Poul C. Poulsen in Brisbane, Australia. The photographer appears to have provided the family with props to use in this photograph. The bespectacled Mr Shelton reads to his daughter as she sits on his lap. A second daughter sits in a miniature chair and is holding an open magazine. The eldest daughter (on the far right side of the image) holds a fan that features the image of a pretty woman. Fans such as this, frequently had images of famous actresses of the era. Mrs Shelton has a handkerchief on her lap while another daughter is holding flowers. In the back center of the photograph is the Shelton’s young adult aged son who has his arms folded across his chest and a look of disinterest on his face. Poul Christensen Poulsen (1857-1925) was born in Denmark and arrived in Sydney in 1876. In 1882 he moved to Queensland and opened a photographic studio a few years later. He was later joined by brothers and sisters from Denmark. He opened branches of his studio in other Queensland towns. In 1898 he was appointed the Danish Consul at Brisbane. Over the years, his sons and grandsons entered the photography business. There is evidence on this particular cabinet card that dates it somewhere between 1894 and 1898. The studio located in the town of Gympie that is listed in the advertising on the front of this card, existed between 1894 and 1898.

Published in: on September 4, 2012 at 12:01 am  Leave a Comment  
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CLASSIC SCOTTISH BEAUTY ARRANGING CABINET PHOTOGRAPHS IN AN ALBUM

A pretty young woman arranges cabinet cards in a photograph album. The woman is Scottish, and she is photographed by Wohlgemuth & Company. The studio was located in Glasgow, Scotland. The studio operated between 1887 and 1914. However, a photography journal reported that Benjamin Wohlgemuth was elected to the Glasgow Photographic Association in 1879. The reverse of the image has a pencilled inscription that includes a name and address. The name is difficult to decipher, but it is something close to Prince H. France. The address is 22 Short Street, Leichhardt, Sydney, New South Wales.

Published in: on November 29, 2011 at 12:01 am  Leave a Comment  
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EIGHT ATHLETIC LOOKING BLOKES IN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

This cabinet card is a portrait of eight very athletic looking men. The men are dressed very similarly. Their pants appear to be identical and they each are wearing a wide white belt around their waists. The image presents a number of questions. Are these Aussie blokes wearing a uniform? Are they members of  a sports team? Are they wearing work clothing and all share the same occupation? Hopefully some Cabinet Card Gallery visitors will leave a comment that gives their opinion as to the answers to the aforementioned questions.  The photographer of this image is Herbst of Sydney, Australia. He is mentioned in a number of Sydney newspapers published in the 1890’s.  Advertisements for his studio appear in the newspapers, and there is mention of some of the notables he photographed.

Published in: on July 5, 2011 at 12:01 am  Comments (1)  
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