Hardy. Boston. Cabinet card. Private Collection.
“One of the Alleys”. Boston. Hardy back of cabinet card.
Boston’s ‘one of the Alleys’
1927 Joseph smoking a long pipe on a precarious bridge
1927 Joseph Bertrand on bridge. Private Collection.
Rule #1: no matter where you are or on what, always look cool.
Joseph looks like he was on a trail bridge desperately in need of repair. Bet he checked the rail first before leaning against it. He’s wearing a panama hat and a suit with ‘plus fours’. The breeches extended 4 inches more below the knee than traditional knickerbockers, hence the name. They were very popular in the twenties as sportswear, especially for golf. Swing dancers adopted them in the 30s and 40s. He’s wearing plain white socks here but ‘plus fours’ popularized a slew of patterned socks like argyles.
This is a small picture, 2″ 1/4 x 3″ 1/4. The man is IDed on the back, the picture dated June 1927.
A buddy at arm’s length
1920s boys in cap. RPPC. Private Collection.
These teens in newsboy caps look like they were a close knit group, the two sitting in the front may have been brothers. The pose of the two in the back is an interesting choice too.
RPPC: ARTURA 1910-1924
The 1880s top hat trio
Trio in top hats. 1/6th plate tintype. Private Collection.
The backdrop is worth noting. Nature themed it was tastefully done, conveying more the idea of trees than figuratively so.
Larger detail.
1890s William Maitland of Brooklyn
Will Maitland. Cabinet photo detail. Kempf’s Photo-Art. Private Collection.
This is a large cabinet card measuring 4″ x 8″ with the picture taking the whole front. On the back this fine gentleman is IDed as Will Maitland. He looks proud with a hand on his hip. Larger pictures do make the fabrics and details stand out. Will is wearing what looks like a nice suit with two-toned buttons. His shoes don’t appear to be boots but have no laces either.
Photographer: Kempf’s Photo-Art – Gallery. 185 Myrtle Avenue. Artistic pictures of children a specialty.
Charles L. Kempf was a German born photographer who began operating a Brooklyn studio in at least the late 1870s, the studio was named after himself. He was listed in a Brooklyn business directory as early as 1874. A new business name, “Kempf’s Photographic Art Gallery” was established in the 1890′s and was in business until at least 1905. He is listed in some directories at 185 Myrtle Ave.; 627 Myrtle; and 177 Duffield, Brooklyn, NY (1888) (1889). Later under his business name at: Kempf’s Photo-Art Gallery, 185 Myrtle Ave. and 627 Myrtle Ave., Brooklyn, NY (1890s-1905).
Another card and more info on the photographer: The Cabinet Card Art Gallery
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