I picked up this circa 1915 photograph in Holland, Michigan. Miss Charlotte Hunt and Miss Nellie Damon lived just a few doors apart on Pequot Street in New London, Connecticut. Charlotte, born on New Year’s Day 1901, was about one year older than Nellie. If we speculate that the author of the writing on the … More Two Friends
These lovely portraits of Pearl Leora Waterson were found with family photos that once belonged to Pearl’s sister, Fern (Waterson) Hardenburg. The image above is my favorite. I feel as if Pearl is looking right through me. Pearl was born in Olivet, Michigan on Feb. 7, 1889, and was the oldest of three children born … More Pearl Leora Waterson
I found this 1890s cabinet photo in the WeepingWidow Etsy shop. The image of the three young women is lovely however I bought it because of the location, Angola, Indiana, one of my hometowns. I was hoping I would find lots of newspaper articles featuring the women’s social activities however that was not the case. … More Magical Mystery Tour
I happened upon these three tintypes, listed individually, in the Glassing Etsy shop. As soon as I noticed that the handwriting on all three was the same I had to purchase them. Without a location, I knew that the only hope of them being identified was to keep them together. So, what was the sitters’ … More Three’s Company
This is a cabinet card photograph, identified on the back as “Mabel F. Greene, 5 years old, 1883.” The photographer was W.C. Foote of Flint, Michigan. I was attracted to the image because I’m a knitter, and the little girl is wearing knitted mittens. I imagined the mother, a grandmother, or maybe an aunt, knitting … More She Wore Mittens
This dandy cabinet card was discovered in Goshen, Indiana. The sitter screamed, “Take me home! I’m bold and interesting!” William Francis Hostetler, born in La Paz, Indiana in 1870, was a hustler, in a good way. He was an enterprising person, determined to succeed, a real go-getter. Which is why I was surprised to find … More The Hustler
This cabinet card has so much going for it! From the lovely studio backdrop to the girl’s big-eyed, faraway stare, to the awkward pose made to show off her dress bustle (and wow, what a bustle!) Bustles reached extreme proportions in the mid-1880s. The back of the card is just as interesting. The artwork offers … More Cloudy Days Good As Sunshine
“Aunt Margret Newkirk” is written on the back of this cabinet card that was found in Auburn, Indiana. The sitter is Margaret (nee Warwick). The inscription leads me to believe this photo belonged to Maud Kelley, a foster daughter, who lived in the Newkirk home for some years, and who fondly referred to the sitter … More Nevertheless, She Persisted
I picked up this cabinet card from The Wurdeman Studio. If you enjoy beautiful antique photographs and other bits and bobbles, you can check them out on Instagram or visit their Etsy shop. Be sure to read the how and why of the shop. Here’s a little teaser… “It all started in Mrs. Wurdeman’s Store … More She Carried an Umbrella
I acquired this beautiful photograph on Etsy, although, I prefer to find photos in shops or at estate sales. However, I was so taken by this image that after watching it languish for over a month, I finally rescued it on my birthday last year. It is a Boudoir card, which is larger than a … More We hear thee and forget our care
the rescued photo 