The back of this photograph was inscribed W. R. Austin in pencil, presumably identifying our subject as said person. The mustache featured here today is in the style of George Armstrong Custer, famous Civil War general and infamous Indian fighter. The photographers were Taylor & Preston, known to be in business between 1879-1883 at least. …
This gentleman is showing off some fine, white side burns, while leaving the area around his mouth clean shaven. It may be an illusion, but it looks a bit like his hair comes off his forehead in a “kewpie doll” style. Do you see that too? The photograph can be dated to the 1890s, …
This handsome man sat for his portrait showing off his fine handlebar mustache at the studio of A. B. Cross of Salem, MA. The Cross Photo studio is considered one of the most prolific of the CDV era (roughly 1870-1890). Salem of course has a long history in America, and by the time this photo …
Today’s photo from opening #26 of the Leather CdV Album is either a poor quality print, or faded out, or both. The fellow, with his puffy hair style and slight “I’m trying to carry a caterpillar here” mustache, makes me think of some of the boys in my high school back in the ’80s (the …
I like to think of this photo as “composed” not just in the sense that the subject appears calm and collected (i.e. composed) but also that the photographer took the time to compose the image. Recently I was reading about the process of setting up a photograph and was reminded that the view …
Who Were They? 