PRESIDENT WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT AND HIS WIFE

This vintage real photo postcard features a portrait of President William Howard Taft (1857-1930) and his wife, Helen (Nellie) Taft (1861-1943). Taft was the 27th president of the United States. He served from 1909 to 1913. He also served as chief justice of the United States Supreme Court. The Tafts married in 1886 and their marriage lasted nearly 44 years. The pair had three children, one of whom, became a U.S. Senator. This portrait photo was copyrighted by Brown Brothers in 1909. Brown Brothers, located in New York City, was the world’s first stock photo agency. It was founded in 1904. The publisher of this postcard was Garraway Photo-Art Company; a firm that operated in New York City. The corners on the reverse of this postcard reveal that the card formerly resided in a postcard album. Overall, this vintage postcard is in very good condition (see scans). 

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Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes shipping within the US) #3584

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$31.50

Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes International shipping outside the US) 3584

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$40.50

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Published in: on July 4, 2021 at 12:00 pm  Comments (1)  
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MOTHERS, DAUGHTERS AND SISTERS IN SAXTONS RIVER, VERMONT

This cabinet card, photographed by P. W. Taft, features two young adult women and two young girls. Perhaps the two older girls are sisters and the two young girls are daughters of the older woman. The family constellation in this image is impossible to determine. It is interesting to note that the two little girls are both wearing dresses styled after a sailor suit. The two dresses are similar, but not identical. Taft’s studio was located in Saxtons River, Vermont. To view other photographs by Taft, click on the category “Photographer: Taft”. Preston William Taft (1826-1901) was listed in the Windham County Business Directory 1884) as having a photography business in Saxtons River. Research reveals that he established a Daguerreotype, and later Photography business in 1856 and operated the studio until 1878. He was married in 1850 to Rose Melissa Miller and the couple had three sons and a daughter. Sons Frank (born 1851), Charles (born 1863), and Edward (born 1868), all became photographers. The daughter’s name was Nettie (born 1865). It is likely that this cabinet card was produced by one of P. W. Taft’s sons since, judging by characteristics of the cabinet card, it was likely photographed after he had left the business. To view other photographs by P. W. Taft, click on the category “Photographer: Taft”.

Published in: on January 31, 2012 at 12:01 am  Comments (1)  
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Richard Bartholdt: U.S. Congressman from Missouri

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Richard Bartholdt (1855-1932) was born in Schleiz, Germany where he attended college and then immigrated to the United States in 1872. He initially settled in Brooklyn, New York where he learned the printing trade and became a newspaper writer and publisher. He then moved to St. Louis, Missori in 1877 and continued in the newspaper trade. In 1893, while editor in chief of the St. Louis Tribune and member of the St. Louis Board of Education, he was elected as a Republican to the U.S. Congress where he served until 1915. While in Congress he served as chairman of the Committee on Immigration and Naturalization and other committees. In 1911, President Taft appointed him special envoy to the German Emperor to present a statue of Baron Steuben as a gift from Congress and the American people. After serving his time in congress, Bartholdt devoted himself to literary and further political pursuits. He was an esperantist, ind in 1914 he proposed a resolution to have Esperanto taught in American schools. During World War I, he was president of the American Independence Union, which was committed to establishing an embargo on munitions sales by the United States companies to belligerent nations. He died in St. Louis, Mo.  This Cabinet card was photographed by C M (Charles) Bell of Washington D.C.  The reverse of the card is inscribed by Barholdt. He writes “With the compliments of the season. Yours very truly, Richard Bartholdt M.C.” It is very likely that M.C. signifies “Member of Congress”.

Published in: on December 21, 2008 at 6:02 pm  Leave a Comment  
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