Artistic portrait. 1/6th plate Tintype. Private Collection.
Around the 1880s some tintype photographers became more artistic with poses, and the backgrounds could be busy with many artifacts like tree branches made to look like trees or fences, etc…and in this case, reed.
Max Kleiman (middle), and two friends. Private Collection.
whole card.
A group of three friends re-enacting playing cards . Max Kleiman is the only sitter identified. The back of the cabinet card is blank. I like that his two friends are wearing light colored suits and he’s wearing a dark one. It may not have been intentional but it makes for a good composition. I tried to research him and there are a few Max Kleimans who fit his lifetime and emigrated to the US. Did he? Maybe.
Photographer: K. Timm. Nachf. Halle A/A. Schulberg 3. Germany.
RPPC. Private Collection
This postcard is beat up and the back is almost completely erased by time. Someone drew a mustache on the Al Capone looking guy to the left. At first I was disappointed to see that, then it dawned on me it’s part of what makes it hilarious. Did one of the two others add it? The guy in the middle has quite the relaxed pose with his arms behind the necks of his friends. Don’t they look like your stereotypical 1930s gangsters? The suits and fedoras are fantastic.
Photographer: unknown. RPPC.
A very interesting cabinet card of seven friends posing together. A good example of the men’s fashion of the 1880s.
Pals in crime. Private Collection.
A favorite of my collection. Who were these guys? Some look related and one is displaying amputated fingers. What’s his story? What’s theirs?
The one on the top right just saw a cop!
And every single one with his fedora and unlit cigarette in the mouth. One thing is sure, they were their own gang and must have had a good laugh looking at their picture.
This photograph gives me a good chuckle every time I see it.
Photographer: Unknown. RPPC.
Bowlers And High Collars 