A Hardware Salesman in 1890

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J.L. ARNOLD, A SALESMAN OF HARDWARE, FARMING TOOLS, PLOWS, STOVES AND IMPLEMENTS OF ALL KINDS, is surrounded by the things of his life in this 19th century advertising card. This promotional “calling card” would have been something Mr. J.L. Arnold would have given to his customers, like the owners of general stores and hardware stores. These store owners would have bought their items from Mr. Arnold, the middle man.

Found on eBay.

A Very Fine Lady

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THIS UNUSUAL, ODD CABINET CARD recently sold on eBay. You won’t see many as odd as this in this genre. This is rare, indeed.

Vintage Photographer’s Backdrops

CABINET CARDS AND STUDIO PHOTOGRAPHS WITH PAINTED BACKDROPS WERE EXTREMELY POPULAR IN THE LATE 19TH CENTURY, and it wasn’t until around 1900 that they began to fall out of favor. Why was this? This was due to the popularity of the Kodak Brownie camera, when people could make their own photographs. So, it is rare to discover these 7-foot, 110-year old German painted backdrops. Imagine yourself in front of one of these.

Photographer’s Backdrop:

Germany
Circa 1900
Rare photographer’s backdrop of German winter landscape.

Condition: worn, with folds, worn edges

Measurements:
Height: 7 ft. 6 in.
Width/length: 7 ft. 10 in.

Specifications:
Number of items: 1
Materials/Techniques: hand painted, Ton Sur Ton, oil paint on canvas, removed from frame
Creator: unknown

Location:
InstallationsAntiques via 1stdibs.
611 W. 22nd Street
Houston, TX 77008

Phone: 713-864- 6125

E-Mail: becki@installationsantiques.com

Exceptional Post-Mortem Photographs

(Above) A very fine and poignant 1/6th plate ambrotype on amethyst glass shows a dead little girl with ring curls holding a single tinted rose. She is posed against a variety of patterned fabrics and wears a polka dot dress. Housed in a 1/2 leather case.

(Above) A sad 1/6th plate ambrotype on ruby glass shows a dead little girl propped up in a chair. Click image for larger view.

(Above) Startling postmortem of a young woman wearing a white dress in a white satin lined coffin. She has small flowers placed in her hair and each hand. A rosary and bible are placed in her right hand and a wedding band can be seen on her left hand. She is young and possibly a newlywed. Click image for larger view.

(Above) A very nice 1/6th plate postmortem tintype of a man in an early diamond shape coffin. A large black bow-tie is tied around his neck. Click image for larger view.


(Above) An unusual post-mortem photo of a young boy, placed in a sitting position as if asleep. Photograph by G. W. Barnes of Rockford, IL, circa 1890. Click image for larger view.

(Above) Back of cabinet card, highly decorated which was typical of the genre. Click image for larger view.


POST-MORTEM PHOTOGRAPHS were quite common in the 19th century, but the practice is less common today. All of these photos are exceptional examples that have been sold (but some may still be available) from one photo dealer on eBay.

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