A 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.
PRETTY YOUNG LADY IN SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK
ELDERLY MAN IN TROY, PENNSLVANIA
An elderly man poses for his photograph at the studio of O. E. Dewey, in Troy, Pennsylvania. The reverse of the card identifies the subject as D. E. Haven and the time of the photograph according to the card stock, is 1887. Mr Haven has an interesting beard that resides mostly on his neck and below his chin. He is also wearing a pocket watch chain that has a charm. The charm appears to be from a fraternal organization and has a non photographic image of what may be, a swan. Orrin Emery Dewey (1858-1887) was born in Sullivan Township, Pennsylvania. Research yielded little about his life but it is known that upon his death, his studio was bought by F. M. Spencer. To view other interesting images of men with beards, click on the category of “Beards (Only the Best)”.
MAUD HANSON: THEATRE OR OPERA STAR OR WHO KNOWS WHAT?
This cabinet card was photographed by George Rockwood (1882-1911) whose studio was located at 17 Union Square West in New York City. The reverse of the card identifies the subject of this portrait as Maud Hanson. It is believed that Hanson was an actress or opera star but this information has not been verified and perhaps a visitor to this site can leave a comment providing identification help. Over the years, the cabinet card gallery has appreciated the assistance of its vast unpaid research department, staffed entirely by visitors to the site. The corseted Ms Hanson is attractive and wearing a hat, a flower in her hair and a cross. She is also wearing what appears to be wrist bands. The purpose of these bands beyond fashion, is unknown. This cabinet card’s photographer, George Rockwood was born in Troy, New York. He graduated from college with a PhD; reportedly either from the University of Chicago, or Columbia University. At 21 years of age, he was a newspaper reporter for the Troy Daily Times and at age 23, he was managing editor of the Troy Daily Post. He began working as a photographer in St. Louis and in 1857 opened a studio with his brother Elihu in New York City. He is credited for bringing CDV’s to America. His obituary in the Washington Post reports that Rockwood photographed more than 350,00 people.
LOYAL ORANGE LODGE MEMBER IN TROY, NEW YORK
This Cabinet Card is a great image of a member of a fraternal organization. The image has great clarity and the image of the sash is very detailed. The previous owner of this photograph reports that the subject of this photograph was a member of the Loyal Orange Lodge. The Orange Institution (Orange Order) is a Protestant fraternal organization based mainly in Scotland and Ireland. There are also some lodges in the Commonwealth and in the United States. The Orange Lodge organization was founded in 1796 in Ireland. The organization has had strong ties to unionism. The name of the group is derived from King William of Orange. An article appears in an 1874 edition of the New York Times that reports that the State Grand Orange Lodge Meeting was being held in Troy, New York which is the location that this photograph was taken by Lloyd’s studio. James H. Lloyd’s photographs can be found in National Magazine (1906) in a story about photographing architecture. In addition, the Photographic Journal of America (1891) announces that Lloyd was awarded a certificate of merit by the US State Department for a photograph of the Troy Polytechnic Institute. The photograph had been exhibited at the Paris Expositon.
Handsome African American Gentleman
This well dressed and handsome African American young man smiles for the camera at the studio of B F Ogden and Sons. Mr Ogden appears to be quite the entrepreneur with three studios in Massachusetts (Springfield, Holyoke and Pittsfield) and two studios in New York (Albany and Troy).
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 