September 1912 young man at desk. RPPC. Private Collection.
A studious looking gent at his desk, his coats and hats hanging behind him, and with a pile of books stacked by the wall. There’s an ink bottle on the table, and the calendar dates this picture to September 1912. The window is open with the blinds closed to shield the room from the sun.
He seems to be gazing off, wishing to look serious. I love indoor pictures like this. I find there’s always so much to look at.
Victorian gentleman with cane, top hat and mustache. Cabinet card. Private Collection.
No, you are not dreaming. I’m usually not a fan of facial hair but this portrait is so much what a mature Victorian gentleman should look like I just had to get it. Under the mustache this man was a handsome fella.
He looks noble with his gaze going up. Fascinating how facial hair can change one’s appearance. This gent was in his thirties at most but the mustache makes him look older. But yes, I love this one very much.
See, he looks younger now.
“The moustaches are glorious, glorious. I have cut them short, and trimmed them a little at the ends to improve their shape. They are charming, charming. Without them, life would be a blank.” Edgar Allan Poe
I took this quote from a great BBC article explaining the reasons why Victorian men wore beards and mustaches. A fun good read. Thank you, Mr. Gillette, I’ll never see one of your disposable razors the same way again.
The back of this cabinet card is blank.
Smiling WWII soldier. RPPC. Private Collection.
This soldier with the wide smile is surrounded by a crowd of one man in pork pie hat and four women (in the shot -looks like there were more people including the photographer). Were they congratulating him, showering him with thanks? We will never know, but what we know is he ate up all this attention! (With his eyes on the brunette closest to him.)
The soldier’s wearing a Brodie helmet -with the camouflage net which was a lot less common. Those helmets were issued for both world wars but to the British, Australian, Canadian, New Zealander and South African troops during the second. Americans wore the more rounded, iconic M1.
RPPC: Divided back.
Harry was born November 17, 1886 and lived a long life till August 6, 1977. His mother was Dora Moderhack (1856-1894). Harry was 8 years old when his mother passed. I couldn’t find info on his cousin of the same last name.
There are very, very few Moderhacks in the US so if you live here, searched your name and found these pictures, they are most likely of your ancestors.
Though Moderhack is German of origin, Harry has interesting and beautiful eyes, and his smile is charmingly crooked. Was he of mixed race with some asian or native American up the line somewhere? Maybe. These pictures were most likely taken in the 1910s.
Note these two were early adopters of the all-in-one shirt +collar. Those became common in the twenties while starched detachable collars were still in fashion.
RPPC: AZO 1904-1918
Photography trick. RPPC. Private Collection.
I think the shadow on the wall is due to the double exposure. I’m leaning toward it being a photography trick and not twins dressed exactly alike. Opinions welcome.
The back note says “All aboard for New York…”
This RPPC was posted on May 29, 1907 from Pennsylvania.
RPPC: AZO diamonds 1907-1909
Bowlers And High Collars 