Category Archives: Types of Subjects

What’s not to love?

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Wag, wag, wag goes the tail. RPPC. 1900s. Private Collection.

This photograph makes me feel all fuzzy and warm. The puppy is loving its brand new daddy who’s holding it like the big baby it is. It posed front paw over the other, wagging its tail so fast the camera only got to catch the white end trail of it.

And the two ladies of the house watching from behind the window. Had this young gentleman just come from inside to get his new companion? It looks like it could have been a St. Bernard or a Bernese. No matter what breed, this was love at first sight for the both of them, and it shows.

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RPPC: CYKO 1904-1920s


Three 1900s Carrington N.D. university students in their busy room

Fraternity room. RPPC. Private Collection.

Carrington, North Dakota, university students. RPPC. Private Collection.

I love indoor shots, especially when they show how photographs were displayed.  These three students are most likely standing in their fraternity house’s common room or dormitory. Besides the three subjects there are three cabinet photos on the dresser behind them, with a clock in the middle.  In the mirror above is the reflection of a cuckoo’s clock on the opposite wall (a little hard to see unless you use a looking glass). There’s also a display of real photo postcards on the back wall; street views, mountain views, greeting cards. I can’t help but think this was their “Facebook wall”. :)

And you have the lace curtains on the window along with their two banners, one facing indoor and the other facing outside for everyone to see. The last word on that one looks to be Merris.

The RPPC is divided with no stamp box. I believe this was taken in the mid to late 1900s.


Cap and Bowtie

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1920s-30s studio portrait. Private Collection.

This picture is photobooth size, and what a lovely portrait of this gentleman with the cap. This charming fella looks to be Italian too, and a blue collar for certain. He comes off  as the friendly, hard working father of a fast growing family. :)

Photographer: Stamped on back – THE LITTLE PICTURE SHOP (how cute of a name is that??) 80 Kansas Avenue. Topeka – Kansas.


Victorian young man of St. Johnsbury, VT

Ivorygraph. St. Johnsbury. Vermont. Boston. Young man. Cabinet Card. Private Collection.

Ivorygraph. St. Johnsbury. Vermont. Boston. Young man. Cabinet Card. Private Collection.

A near pristine high contrast three-quarter portrait from circa 1880-90. I’m very pleased how well this cabinet card was preserved. Except for a couple of tiny scratches, it was carefully stored and looks amazing for its age. The cardstock is unblemished and still its original color: a lovely, clean shade of cream.

The back of the card is blank, and unfortunately this fresh faced budding gentleman with the Windsor tie wasn’t IDed.

Photographer: Ivorygraph. Hastings. 26 Eastern Avenue. St. Johnsbury, Vermont. Branch of 146 Tremont Street, Boston.


Flat, Slick and Shiny

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Young man with slicked back hair. 1923, Hostetler studio. Davenport, Iowa. Private Collection.

A profile portrait taken in 1923. It came in a nice folder frame with the photographer info, and still has the protective sheet.

If you ever wondered why great grandma’s armchairs always had lace doilies on the top of the backs, now you know the habit was born out of wanting to protect her precious furniture from her household’s intentionally greasy heads!

Photographer: Hostetler. Est. Since 1888. 212 West 3rd St. Davenport. Iowa.