Category Archives: Types of Photographs

September 11, 2015

The line 1378 streetcar driver

By C.E. Ryan

I find old photo strips so endearing and humorous. On the first one this streetcar driver is holding a bamboo stick in a big hat with a neck scarf like a cowboy or farmer. Then you get a plain, serious front portrait of him. On the third he’s holding what I believe may be a pack of cigarettes. On the fourth he’s playing with a candlestick telephone, and on the fifth he’s checking the time on his pocket watch.

This strip reminds me of another one I have of this American gentleman from the same period, he’s also playing with a similar phone.

1 Comment   |  tags: , , , | posted in Gentlemen, Humorous, Photobooths

September 8, 2015

The German man with the scarred cheek

By C.E. Ryan
Scarred cheek German man. CDV. Private Collection.

Scarred cheek German man. CDV. Private Collection.

This German man may have been a veteran soldier in civilian suit. Something got him good on the side of the face, perhaps a knife. I’m thinking he was a soldier for the ribbon across the chest. He’s also wearing the black visor hat I mentioned before that was so popular in Germany at the time, and both worn by boys and men.

The bottom of the card was clipped to fit into an album. I can’t make out the message or handwritten name, only the year: 1910.

cdv-scarred-german-back

Photographer: Carl Thies. Hannover. Germany

5 Comments   |  tags: , , , , , | posted in CDVs, Gentlemen, Military

September 6, 2015

1920s Streetscape USA

By C.E. Ryan

1920s Snapshot. Private Collection.

1920s Snapshot. Private Collection.

This precious little girl is accompanied by daddy most likely, and maybe her uncle. In her adorable little boots she’s wearing a coat with fur collar and sleeves. The bonnet is so cute! The gent to the left is posing with confidence, the other one has pins on his lapel and you can see the hatted photographer’s shadow on the sidewalk. In the background a car’s passing by, and on the building a sign reads “The End” but I cannot make out the smaller letters -probably a store closing. And all those sturdy telephone poles giving this picture some depth…What a snapshot is all about: a slice of everyday life forever frozen in time.

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , | posted in Groups, Others

September 5, 2015

Cross-legged on low chair

By C.E. Ryan
Cross legged on low chair. Tintype. Private Collection.

Cross legged on low chair. Tintype. Private Collection.

This young gent with a hint of a smile looks relaxed on this low chair. It makes him look tall. I’m not sure what the backdrop is supposed to represent, maybe a fireplace. The checkered flower design to the right is a mystery, a creative wall decoration most likely.

4 Comments   |  tags: , , | posted in Gentlemen, Tintypes

September 4, 2015

A Beautiful Ride

By C.E. Ryan
postcard-noyer-bike-couple

Couple riding bike. Noyer #2506. Cyanotype Postcard. Private Collection.

A drop dead gorgeous couple on a bike. I like how she has her arms encircling his neck. It made for an intimate and sweet pose.

I hope to find more pictures with these two together. So far no luck.

2 Comments   |  tags: , , , , , , | posted in Couples, Postcards