Who Were They?

Lost and forgotten photos from the past

Leaning lady of Cleveland

Mrs Marvel

5 comments

February 8, 2012

To me, this lady looks like she is leaning backwards. Do you see that too? It could be a trick of how the photo was taken, I am not certain, but I can tell you that is how I feel after a full weekend of wearing my 19th century dresses. I’m tired!

This photograph was made in the 1890s, which we can tell by the large sleeves and general busy-ness of the bodice. I’d err toward the early part of the decade because the sleeves are relatively small compared to the end of the decade.

This photo is from the Leaf Album and was made by Freedle in Cleveland, OH. There were three Freedles in Cleveland during the 80s and 90s. Frank and James Freedle were in business as Freedle and Brother, and were the sons of Thomas and Annie Freedle of Bohemia and both were born in the 1850s. They were in business together from about 1876 – 86 at the location 225 Superior. From 1891-98, Vaclav Freedle was at the location 1667 Broadway, and in 1899 James Freedle took over the business. I have had no luck in tying the two families together as there is very little information about Vaclav, but perhaps he was a relative who also emigrated to Cleveland.

Based on the information above, I believe the photographer was Vaclav Freedle.

European CdV

Mrs Marvel

5 comments

February 6, 2012

I have a “new” album to work through, but sadly there are no names to be found other than the photographers. So, we shall explore and enjoy what we find, shan’t we. I call the album the “Leaf Album” because it appears to be decoupaged on the cover with roundish shaped leaves. At first I thought it would be a fantastic find – a handmade photo album from the 19th century! But on further consideration, I do not believe it to be antique, or at least that antique. The photo openings are modern sized and won’t hold either a CdV or a cabinet card. However, it was packed with numerous 19th century photographs.

This is one of the CdVs in the album. It is European. Vionhrady is a neighborhood of Prague, Czechoslovakia, and Weinberge is in the wine country of Germany. The two cities are between 4-5 hours apart using local roads, and apparently Fr. Poppr was a photographer in both cities. The gentleman pictured in the photo “looks” European to me. That sounds so unusual, right? Especially from an American where we have every country represented and millions of European descendants, but this man just “looks” European. I can’t explain it.

A dog’s life

Mrs Marvel

16 comments

February 3, 2012

We have arrived at Sepia Saturday again and our theme has been whining to be let out all week! Let’s take a walk through some photos I have posted in the past, bringing them out to play again, as it were. Click on the pictures to jump to the original post or you can just sit and stay here.

Hold Still Doggy!

This fellow really wanted his people to smile so he was on his best behavior. He just didn’t understand that photography wasn’t as quick for people when the photographer asked them to sit for their portrait!

Bert Clugston 2-20-1890

This boy is holding still quite well but he sure looks like he wants to speak! Let’s hope ‘ole Bert gave him a treat once the sitting was finished.

On point

A handsome setter and perhaps a spaniel posing with their person but looking ready to dash off to hunt up some rabbits!

High Grade Stogies

If anyone had asked the dog he would have told his young master not to wear the cap with the cigar advertisement on it, but instead this dog had to just roll over and take it as his master posed in the photo booth with him.

For other photos of animals, click on the category “Animals” where you will find all sorts of images, including my favorite from a wild trip to Mexico once upon a time. Once you have finished there, go on over to Sepia Saturday to find a pack of rabid posts just slobbering with doggy goodness!

You'd be barking mad to miss this!

My deepest apologies for the many terrible puns. ;-)

Mrs Marvel

1 comment

February 1, 2012

Today’s post features a CdV made by the Ensminger Bros studio inIndependence IA. Jefferson and Madison Ensminger were prolific and successful photographers in Iowa, and the sons of a photographer who taught them the art in Ohio. They are known for a collection of photographs they took during the Spanish-American War that is now housed in Florida at a university. The Buchanan County Historical Society has a nice write up on them, including a photo of their studio. Hopefully this gentleman received a sitting worthy of a famous studio! The studio was opened in the 1870s and remained ther at least through 1885. At some point they removed to Florida for their war photographs. The war took place in 1898.

Man and Chair

Mrs Marvel

4 comments

January 29, 2012

I believe this to be an 1860s era CdV, due to the square corners, general sparsity of props and absence of a back mark. What I have read is that in the earlier part of the decade, little to no props were used, but by the end of the decade, chairs, tables and other assorted props had become popular. I find the curtain to the right of this gentleman quite strange. What could it possibly be covering that couldn’t have been moved out of the way? Also of note is the dark shadow behind his feet, which I believe to be the base of a positioning stand. Holding onto the chair and with a positioning stand behind, it was far easier to stand still for the long exposure time during early photography.

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