The Bonus Side of Cabinet Cards

All of us have seen cabinet cards, those 19th century portraits on heavy card stock you find for a buck in almost every antique shop in America. Did you ever consider the backs of these cards? Almost all have beautiful and graphic typographic or pictorial examples that advertised the photo studio or photographer. While many cabinet cards portraits (the fronts) can be relatively bland, you might want to flip the card over. Like a second chance lottery ticket—you just might have a second chance at something wonderful. These images are from Luminous Lint, the most comprehensive Web site on photography in the world. Luminous Lint is a labor of love by Alan Griffiths. (alan@luminous-lint.com)

These cabinet card backs are from the private collection of Anthony Davis, and were part of an online exhibition on Luminous Lint.
Antiq-photo Rainbow Creations
(www.19cphoto.com)

An AM repost from 2/11/09

Cabinet Card of Folk Art Carving

(Above) Cabinet card, c. 1880 (click image for larger view)

(Above) Detail (click for larger view)

(Above) Back of Cabinet Card (click for larger view)

IF YOU LIKE PHOTOGRAPHY AND FOLK ART (like I do), here’s a two’fer for you. A 4” x 6-1/2” photograph, taken about 1880, of a rare folk art carving by Asa Carpenter (1834 - ?). It is a Civil War carving of General grant on his horse surrounded by three Union soldiers and a field cannon carved from what appears to be a single piece of wood. The seller of this cabinet card says that, though little is known about this artist, an actual carving of a sow and young piglets realized $44,460 at the October 25, 2008 Pook and Pook Auction in Pennsylvania. It is not known if this carving exists or has been lost through time.

The seller was able to learn that Carpenter was born in Niagara, Canada on September 8, 1834, the 6th of 11 children by Asa Philopilus Carpenter and Margaret Ullman. Early in his life he was involved in the lumber industry before becoming known as an artist and sculptor. Various locations that note his residence include Howard City, Michigan; Crystal Valley, Michigan; and Scottsville, Michigan, possibly in that order.

The photographer of this cabinet card was Samuel L. Sharpsteen (b. 1850 - ?) and is being sold on eBay here.

Some Photos Worth Viewing

(Above) CDV of Mary Powers, the Barnum fat lady. Back of card reads Miss Mary J. Powers, The Kentucky Giantess: 26 years old and weighs 782 pounds: 5 feet 2 inches high: 86 inches around the waist and 33 inches around the arm - Barnum’s fat lady at the time of the fire, March 3rd 1868: Was born at Franklin County, Kentucky, and weighs 175 pounds more than any other lady in America. Marked Adams & Mendenhall, Indianapolis, Indiana.

(Above) Cabinet card of Linus the Oregon wonder horse. Linus the wonder horse was the main attraction of Bostock and Wombwell’s menagerie, Britain's premier traveling zoo during the early 1900s. Linus was unique because he had a 17ft. long tail and a double mane 13ft. on each side. The cabinet card features a photo of Linus with a trainer. Card reads Linus E.P. Olive, 325 Washington St., Boston.

(Above) CDV of Charles Felu (1830-1900), Belgian artist painting with his feet. The toes are cut out of his socks so that he could paint with his feet, gripping the paintbrush with his right foot and the palette with the other. His slippers are on the floor beneath him. Bottom marked J. Maes Phot. Anvers, and on verso Photographie Maes Place du Musee Anvers.

(Above) Image shows a seated John Cox with an eyepatch. With period pencil inscription on verso reading John Cox of Burlington, NJ Age 98, Father in law of Dr. Parris C. Cox (ca. 1754-1847) was a Quaker and lived near Burlington, NJ. Cox was involved in the anti-slavery movement.

(Above) Photograph of a Comanche indian girl standing in front of a blanket draped over a branch. Bottom of matt labeled Irwin, Chickasha, Ind. Ter. Reverse side labeled in pencil Lena Fisher, Comanche Indian girl.


FOR YOUR VIEWING TODAY, an Accidental Mysteries selection of some fascinating photographs from Cowan’s upcoming auction this January 21, 2010.

I hope everyone reading this today has a very happy holiday.