Tintype Tuesday - Two Winsome Tykes

Today's tin type shows two adorable young children, a boy and a girl, most likely siblings although the boy looks to me like he could have some Indian blood. They are each seated, the girl in front on perhaps a small stool, the boy behind her on what appears to be a fringed chair. She has the sweetest face and is wearing a dark dress with perhaps polka dots or small flowers. She is also wearing a chain around her neck with a cross.

The boy, who has such soulful eyes, is dressed in a boy's suit with knee-length pants.  He is leaning on her chair and has one leg crossed over the other.  This tin type is very dark and I have tried lightening it up to be able to see the details. I'm not really good with dating children's clothing, but if I had to guess a date, due to the painted backdrop, I would say mid to late 1880's, however, because of the fringed chair it could be earlier than that even 1870's.  These children and the photographer are both unidentified as well as the location.

Sentimental Sunday - Women with Hats - A Bird in Hat is Worth What?

This week's Women with Hats photo is most likely a very early 1900's woman posing with her baby.  As the 19th century came to a close cabinet cards began to take on many shapes and sizes.  This particular cabinet card measures 4 x 8 1/4" and is called a panel card which became popular in the 1890's.  The scroll work you see around the photo was very common at the turn of the century.

In this photo both the subjects and the photographer are unidentified.  The woman is wearing a blouse and skirt that were quite common for the time.  Her hat is also very unusual - it is white with a large brim with dark trim and has a black bird that looks like it has just come in for a landing!  Perhaps this was the fashion, but it is the first one I have seen.  Her baby unfortunately moved and is a bit blurry.  Too bad we don't know who they are or have a location, it's such a great shot bird and all.

Sepia Saturday #136 - Professional Baseball Player & Scout John Ralph "Jack" Warner

I posted a brief blurb earlier about my great-grandaunt Wave Bruce's husband John Ralph "Jack" Warner who was for a time a professional baseball player in the 1920's and 1930's.  This week's Sepia Saturday illustration comes from the AG Spaulding Baseball Collection and although I have two reproduction cards of Uncle Jack's there are numerous others of his out there that I cannot afford to purchase.  When I Google him I can find a number of great old photos.  The photo left is from the 1933 Goudey Baseball Card collection when Jack played for the Philadelphia Phillies at second base.

Jack was born 29 Aug 1903 in Evansville, IN to Norman and Emma Warner, the fourth of five children. On September 24 1925 he debuted in the major leagues at age 22 for the Detroit Tigers and was their third baseman for the 1926 and 1927 seasons. He played alongside the legendary Ty Cobb and in 1926 won a $25 bet from Cobb by beating him in a footrace. Click here to see a great team photograph where Jack is sitting next to the great Ty Cobb? It the 1926 team profession photograph, about 1/3 the way down the screen and Jack and Ty are the two in the very middle of the photo.

His best year was 1927 when he played 138 games at third base and finished among the American League leaders in at bats (559), outs (431), and hit by pitch (6).  In 1929 he was traded to the Brooklyn Robins (1929 - 1931) and finished his career with the Phillies in 1933 playing his final game on September 30 1933. After his playing career he was a scout for the Chicago Cubs. He spent 12 seasons as a coach for the Los Angeles Angels farm club and was a West Coast scout until he retired.

I found Uncle Jack and Aunt Wave in the 1940 Los Angeles Census where he listed his occupation as professional ball player. They lived for many years in California before returning to Illinois upon retirement. He died in Mt. Vernon, IL at age 82 on 13 Mar, 1986 and is buried at Memorial Gardens.

For more great American baseball stories swing on over to Sepia Saturday!

Those Places Thursday - Rochester, NY, Civil War Era Photographer Myron Hawley Monroe

This CDV (Cartes de Visite) of an unknown Rochester, NY woman was taken approximately 1863 by photographer Myron Hawley Monroe. Monroe was born 3 Jul 1824 in Monroe County, NY to Joseph and Sophia (Dunham) Monroe. On 14 Jun 1848 he married Mary Elizabeth Hibbard.  

Monroe was a photographer in Rochester from at least 1858 and maybe earlier to 1883 and possibly later.    The 1861 and 1863 Rochester City Directories listed him first as having "daguerrean rooms" then as a photographer at 83 Main and 8 Pearl.

The following is a July 1863 New York State draft registration record for the Civil War, but I could find no record of him actually serving in the war.

Monroe and his wife had six children, George born ca 1851, Frank 1854, Charlotte 1859, Charles 1861, Sarah 1863 and Carrie 1866.  According to family history records on Ancestry.com, it appears that Monroe died 18 Jan 1912 in Allegany, Cattaraugus, NY, but I did not find any records to substantiate this fact.

The subject's dress and hairstyle are quite common for the era.  Her dress is particularly striking with the trim tiers around the bottom of the skirt and the fitted belt.  Her hair is parted in the middle and drawn back to the back of the neck and may possibly be in a snood.  This photograph is a favorite of mine, quite indicative of the fashions of the era.

Wedding Wednesday - Starchy Hooper, Nebraska Couple

There's a lot to look at in this wedding photo of a young couple in the late 1890's or very early 1900's in Hooper, Nebraska.  The unidentified married couple are sitting side-by-side and their body language is a bit stiff. Although he is leaning his knee into hers, he seems rather tense, note how his hands are fisted.

The bride's dark colored dress is a little unusual with the floral bodice insert and high neckline as well as cuffs and belt.  The dress also has puffed up sleeves at the shoulders and beautiful trim sewn on the lower sleeves as well as in several tiers along the bottom of the skirt.  One can assume this dress was to be used over and over again as her Sunday best. Her bridal bonnet/headpiece was quite lovely and typical of the very early 1900's with the beautiful sprigs of flowers and trailing vines.   She is not holding a bouquet, but does have a small corsage which adds to all the busyness. If you look closely  you can see her wedding ring as well as the groom's.

The woman standing behind her I am going to assume is her sister because there is a striking resemblance.  She appears quite tall and trim and is also wearing a dark dress and corsage. She personifies the Gibson Girl look of the time.  Both the groom and best man are wearing boutonnieres that match the bride's headpiece and the best man has the most unusual striped bow-tie.

The cabinet card itself is most unusual and is the first I have seen like it.  The background is a striped paper and the photographer's mark is deeply embossed.  I had much trouble reading the photographer's name and after much research on the Internet I finally discovered that he is Peter Wilhelm Traulsen.  Traulsen was born 13 Sep 1862 at Tating, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.  He attended school in Germany and served three years in the German army.  In 1887 he emigrated to the United States from Hamburg with his two brothers, Herman and Claus.  Upon his arrival he worked as a painter in Minton, Iowa.  In 1891 he moved to Hooper, NE where after a short time he took up the trade of photographer.  He opened a studio in Hooper  and became one of the area's leading photographers of the late 19th and 20th centuries.  On 14 Jun 1896 he married Wanda Augusta Kruger, also from Germany, and they had three children.  Peter Traulsen died 30 Nov 1926 and is buried at Hooper Cemetery in Dodge County, NE.

Sources:
1.  NEGenWeb Project -Darrell Moyer,  http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ne/topic/asc/photog/obits-notes.htm
2.  Find-A-Grave
3.  Ancestry.com

Tin Type Tuesday - 1880's Woman - Who Is She?

This 1880's tin type with paper sleeve shows a attractive young woman with a serene look on her face.  She is wearing typical 1880 garb and hairstyle.  At her throat is a pin that is seen commonly in the 1880's.  Her left arm is resting on a photographer' chair.  Her dress is interesting with the dark stripes down the front of the bodice.  I wonder what she was thinking about as she posed.

Military Monday - Americas Piper, Forgotten Civil War Soldier, Mt. Vernon, IL

I saw this tin type, circa 1861, on eBay and knew instantly I had to have it because the seller did his research and discovered the subject was from Mt. Vernon, IL, my hometown.  On the back he is identified as Americas Piper.

Americas (or Americus) Piper was born about 1841 in Illinois to Wiley and Matilda Piper.  The Pipers are easily found in the 1850 and 1860 Jefferson County, Illinois censuses.  In 1860 they had seven children, Amercus D. 18, Manirva E. 17, Charles A. 15, Harry M.13,  Julia A. 10, Henry R. 7 and Wiley S. 4.  Wiley Piper supported his family as a farmer.

The next year on 1 Aug 1861 Americas enlisted as a Private in the Union Army in the 44th Regiment, Illinois Infantry.  Two years later he was killed in battle on 20 Sep 1863 at the Battle of Chickamauga.  I don't know where Americas is buried, but using the Jefferson County Illinois Genealogy Trails page I was able to discover that many of Americas' immediate family are buried in the West Salem Cemetery in Mt. Vernon, IL.  His mother died in November 1863, just two months after his death in battle, his father died before 1870.

This picture was most likely taken right before he went to war and I am thrilled to have it. I thought it was important that a record was made somewhere of Americas Piper's short life.

Sentimental Sunday - Women with Hats - Big Hats in Clay Center, Kansas

This real photo postcard shows four, very stylish ladies from Clay Center, Kansas wearing extremely large hats and is dated on the back April 4, 1912.  Evidently it was cold in Kansas that April as each of these women is dressed for cold weather, perhaps an outing or for travel.  Besides their hats, they are wearing floor-length overcoats, carrying purses and gloves.  It is a wonderful photo of early 1900's fashions and appears to have been taken in a studio.

On the back someone has very nicely identified three of the women as Ellin Wickstion, Ida Ericson and Abbie Swenson.  Unfortunately, they did not note which name went with which woman.  To make matters worse the penner has placed an ink star on the front and noted on the back, "I starred beneath Mom."  We can assume one of those names belongs to "Mom," but that is still no help.  These names all appear to be of Swedish origin and I found the last woman, Abbie Swenson, in the 1910 Clay County, KS census on Ancestry.com.  She was born in 1889 in Kansas which would make her about 23 years old in this photograph, perhaps the one in the back left.

Illuminating Blogger Award

A little earlier this month I was nominated/bestowed with the Illuminating Blogger Award by Sharon at Strong Foundations.  This has been a busy, crazy couple of months for me, I am behind on everything and haven't had a chance to thank her for her kind gesture and words.  It is always nice to know that someone is reading and enjoying what you are doing!  Sharon writes a very interesting family history blog and I strongly suggest you check it out.  Thanks Sharon!

One of the requirements of receiving this award is to mention something random about myself - now that is difficult!  There are many facets to my personality.  I think the silliest thing about me is that I am a fifty-something woman and I have a great love of rock and roll music, particularly the band Badfinger from the late 60's and early 70's which drives my husband crazy.  They were quite popular for a time, but have a rather tragic story.

Another condition of accepting the award is to nominate five other great blogs that you enjoy reading.  This was hard too - but I narrowed it down to these five favorites:  

Wendy at Jollett, etc. who has such a strong love for her family history and writes such interesting and detailed accounts that I always enjoy.  I think you will enjoy her family's history.

Robs Webstek who always has such an eclectic assortment of photos and posts - I am always drawn into his stories.  You will be fascinated with his photos and his commentaries. 

Sassy Jane Genealogy, an archivist who writes a blog with great tips on how to organize, store, retrieve documents and so much more.  You should really check out her blog.

Jennifer at The Scrappy Genealogist who combines her love of genealogy and scrapbooking, two of my favorite things.  Jen really has a diverse background - take a look at her beautiful scrapbook pages!

Nancy at My Ancestors and Me who I have been following for quite some time.  She is seriously dedicated to her family genealogy as well as giving back to the genealogy community such as volunteering to index the 1940 census.  

********************************************************************************

If you are nominated then you have been awarded the Illuminating Blogger Award. Just follow the steps below:

1.     The nominee should visit the award site (http://foodstoriesblog.com/illuminating-blogger-award/) and leave a comment indicating that they have been nominated and by whom.(This step is so important because it’s the only way that we can create a blogroll of award winners).

2.     The Nominee should thank the person that nominated them by posting & including a link to their blog.

3.     The Nominee should include a courtesy link back to the official award site (http://foodstoriesblog.com/illuminating-blogger-award/) in their blog post.

4.     Share one random thing about yourself in your blog post.

5.     Select at least five other bloggers that you enjoy reading their illuminating, informative posts and nominate them for the award. Many people indicate that they wish they could nominate more so please feel free to nominate all your favorites.

6.     Notify your nominees by leaving a comment on their blog, including a link to the award site (http://foodstoriesblog.com/illuminating-blogger-award/).

Sepia Saturday - Two Fairy Sprites from Columbus, O.

 

When I saw this week's Sepia Saturday theme which centers around the 1920 image, the "Health Fairy" the first thing I thought of was two photos I have had in my collection for some time of two little girls from Ohio. I have always labeled them my little fairy sprites, why I don't know, but they seem so ethereal and delicate, yet spirited.

These cabinet cards are so unusual because they are not the formal poses we usually see, but the photographer allowed the girls, who I believe are twins, to just flit around and be themselves.  These girls were obviously well loved by someone.  There are no names on the photographs, but they came from the same lot of photos of which I previously posted about Muriel Blair and since it is the same photographer, Wells, I have to wonder if they aren't from the same family.  Wells was W. H. Wells, a successful African American photographer who had a studio in Columbus from at least 1895 and possibly earlier to around 1930.  I suspect these photos to have been taken at different times although not too far apart in time.  They were most likely taken around the late 1890's to 1900.

Please visit Sepia Saturday to see more wonderful old images and fascinating stories:

Fashionable Friday - Stylin' Saratoga Springs, NY 1880's Guy

For this week's Fashionable Friday I thought I would mix things up a bit  and throw in a guy for a change.  This stylin' young man from Saratoga Springs, NY looks quite pleased with himself in his dapper suit and adornments. What I am assuming is the chain for his watch fob looks like paper clips!

I came by this cabinet card in an album I purchased on eBay.  This young man was identified on the page as Irving Firich or Finch. I hope to share more of this album at a later date.  I had little luck finding my Irving on Ancestry.com.  I belive this photo to have been taken late 1870's or early 1880s.    

From the 1876 Vistor's Guide to Saratoga Springs:  

W. H. Baker, Photographer, Has opened one of the finest photograph galleries, at 448 Broad- way, that can be found in the State of New York. It is a Ground Floor Gallery, and is fitted up with handsome carpets, easy chairs, and piano, and its walls are adorned with beautiful pictures of various styles of art. He is one of the most extensive photographers in Northern New York, and makes photographs from miniature to life-size, and finishes them in Crayon, Oil, Water Colors or India Ink. The "quick as a wink" process of photographing has been ndopted. Try him for a picture while at your leisure in Saratoga. He keeps a very large assortment of stereoscopic views, albums, frames and mats, which he sells at very reasonable prices. He is always pleased to have visitors call at his gallery, and is very polite in exhibiting a full assortment of beautiful pictures.

Here is the back of the card:

Wedding Wednesday - Elegant Monee, IL Couple

This cabinet card photograph of a very elegant, newly married couple was taken in Monee, IL by photographer F. W. Landen (I believe).  The photographer's name is embossed and very difficult to read.  I have had no luck finding a F. W. Landen or Londen or Lander, etc. using Google or by any other method.  

The bride's dress is quite lovely and her bridal bonnet and veil with the flowers and trailing vines were quite common in the early 1900's. Due to the sleeves on her dress I believe it could possible be the very late 1890's.  She is holding a large bouquet of flowers and the groom's boutonniere is very different from others I have seen - it is bigger and has a bow!  Their body language seems affectionate and both their wedding rings can be easily seen.

Sentimental Sunday - Seven Bored 1890's Women in Hats

Such a great shot, seven seemingly bored 1890's ladies posing in their finery for the camera.  Each of them is wearing a hat, all are different although most were quite common fashions of the times.  The lady in the very middle has an unusual hat, I don't think I've seen one like that before.

As is most common with tin types there is no identification of the subjects or the photographer.  It's such a shame, I would love to know the story of why these women were posing together and what the occasion was.  Another mystery most likely never solved.  

Sepia Saturday #134 - Then Comes the Baby Carriage

This week's Sepia Saturday centers around baby carriages/prams.  I thought I would have some good examples in my stash, but for some reason I couldn't find any!  Here are three that I did find:

First is an early 1900's photograph (cabinet card) of a young toddler identified in a unusual carriage.  This photo, which I belive is of a young toddler girl, was taken by Geo. A. Joyce of 1073 Hunter Street, Columbus, O.  She is wearing as a sweet little print dress, black tights and black shoes.  She must have moved as her face is blurred.  I have had no luck finding the photographer in the usual ways.  

This next photograph is identified as Frank Owen Wilson, 1924. The young subject is sitting in a wagon and is smiling quite sweetly for the camera. I believe this photograph came from the same lot I purchased the family group photo I previously posted on May 19, 2012, Family Group Shot in The Front Yard. How this young boy might be related I have no idea. There is no photographer on any of these photos and when I did a Ancestry.com search on Frank Wilson Owen there were too many options to do a good search. Maybe someday someone will be looking for him.



Finally, this last photo is a tin type of a baby approximately one year old in a old-fashioned baby pram. Too bad the tin type has been poorly handled over the years, it is scratched and faded and of course, the subject is unidentified. I'm not entirely sure how to date this photo, I'm leaning towards the late 1890's. Note the fake mountain range in the background painting.


Push your carriage on over to Sepia Saturday for more rolling stories!

Fashionable Friday - Milwaukee, WI Fashion Mavens

These two beautiful young women posed for the Grand Central Studio in Milwaukee, WI in the 1880's.  I could find no information on the studio or the proprietor.  The women, who I believe to be sisters as their lovely features are quite similar, are dressed in almost identical fashion; both are wearing typical 1880's bustled style dresses with the form fitting bodice.  Each dress has double rows of small buttons running down the center of the bodice.  The seated woman  is wearing the standard pin/brooch at the neck and holding what appears to be a sprig of daisies, the other has a frilly ascot-type adornment at her neck and is holding a feathery fan.  I am not sure what they are called, but if you look closely you can see that they both have long ties/pulls down the front of their skirts with tassels at the bottom.  Both women are also wearing typical late 1880's hairstyles. I believe this cabinet card was taken between 1886 - 1889.

Those Places Thursday - Traveling Railroad Photo Cars

This wonderful cabinet card photo of four young women brought to my attention something I had never heard of before - traveling railroad photo cars. According to Robert O. Brown, the Hutchings Railroad Photo Car was designed to be a traveling studio. The train car would consist of studio, dark room and sleeping rooms for the photographer and assistant. It appears Hutchings, who was headquartered in Kansas, traveled in his railroad car up and down the Kansas railroads and into Nebraska. To see what a traveling photo car may have looked like check out this webpage. In Brown's 2002 book, "Collectors Guide to 19th Century U.S. Traveling Photographers" he believes that Hutchings most likely worked from 1884 - 1889. If you do a web search you will find many photos posted with his photographer's mark and most look to be from this time period.

I would date this particular photograph more at the end of that time frame, about 1889.  The uneven scalloped card edges were rarely seen before that time on cabinet cards.  The girls' clothing fits the time period as do their hairstyles.  The lace collars three of them are wearing are so intricate and beautiful.  I also love the girl with the eyeglasses!  Alas, our subjects are once again unidentified.

Wedding Wednesday - Blushing Belleville, IL Bride & Dashing Groom

This beautiful bride and her handsome groom had their wedding photograph taken in Belleville, IL by photographer Fred B. Merker or possibly his brother Charles who worked for him.  The bride's dress is stunning with the tiers of lace down the skirt and the style of the high neckline is quite unusual as well.  Maybe is just me, but it almost makes her head look too large for her body!  Her bridal bonnet is gorgeous with a large lacy bow and a flowery sprig in the front.  It also has trailing vines that were very popular in the early 1900's.  She is not holding a corsage but does have what appears to be a small book in her hand, perhaps a prayer book.

The groom is extremely handsome in a dark three piece suit with long tails.  He has a white bow tie and his boutonniere matches the sprig of flowers on the front of her bridal bonnet.  I do not like his body language with the way he is holding his arm - it almost appears as if he is pulling away from her. 

Unfortunately, the couple is unidentified  and the cabinet card has been trimmed on all four sides, most likely to fit into an album or frame.  Due to the embossed, foil stamped photographer's mark on the bottom of the card - note the monogram in the middle - I am adjusting the date this photo was taken to around 1896.  

The photographer, Fred B. Merker, was born 3 Mar 1851 in Belleville, St. Clair, IL to German immigrants, Phillip and Elizabeth (Rouscolb) Merker.  The parents were married in St. Clair County on 28 Jan 1841, the father a farmer.  A year before Fred's birth in the 1850 Turkey Hill, St. Clair County census, Philip aged 32 and Elizabeth aged 25 were living with their children George 8, Louis 6, and Charles 3.  Another son William was born about 1853 and Phillip died before 1860 leaving Elizabeth to raise her children alone.  I found most of the Merkers through the rest of the censuses up until 1930. Elizabeth was last found in the 1900 census.

Fred Merker was a photographer by 1880 (age 28) and on 3 Oct 1883 married Elenora Susan Dunn.  They had one child Hazel born about 1885.  He operated his studio in Belleville until at least 1910. The 1891 City Directory listed his studio address as 25 East Main. Note on the photo (left) that brother Charles was a photographer at his studio, George was a constable, Louis a tollgate keeper, and William was secretary and treasurer of the Belleville Carriage Works. Sometime before 1920 Fred and Elenora retired to West Palm Beach, FL. He died in FL on 27 Feb 1930 and is buried at Green Mount Protestant Cemetery in St. Clair County, IL.

Sources:

1.  Ancestry.com
2.  Find-A-Grave
3.  Illinois Statewide Marriage Index

Tintype Tuesday - Handsome 1870's Maryland Man

This tin type of a young, handsome man, most likely taken in the 1870's, was taken by W. B. Dulaney of 418 Mains St (I believe). The state is Maryland but I cannot decipher for sure the city.  I tried a number of searches but could not come up with a possible town/city.  The subject is quite handsome - I wish I knew his story, the circumstances behind the picture!

Sentimental Sunday - Women with Hats - Two Stylish Canadian Women

Today's Women With Hats gives us two for the money with  two quite stylish Canadian ladies and their gentleman friend (or relative) identified on the back as "Hansens neighbors in Canada."  The ladies and gentleman appear to be posing outside against foliage and next to water. This real photo postcard was published by the Council Crest Co. of Portland, Oregan between 1904 and 1920.  We know this because the CYKO Company, the paper manufacturer, used that particular stamp box during those years. Due to the type of hats and very stylish walking suits I am guessing this was taken sometime between 1905 and the very early 1910's.  I welcome any input to the contrary.  Thanks for looking.

Thriller Thursday - My First Photo Reunion Success Story!

Curry Williams, Unk, Albert Wms, 1880s

Several weeks ago on June 11 I posted a photo titled Mystery Monday - "Three Gentlemen, Unknown Occupation" which showed three men posing in strange garb.  One of these men was identified as Curry Williams.  I had picked up this photo at an antique show along with some others and most of them had names written on them. Most were from the Talladega County, Alabama area.  Since Curry was such an unusual name, I searched Ancestry.com and was easily able to find him and his immediate family.  I sent emails to two of the people who had family trees on Curry, his siblings and parents inquiring if they were interested in copies of the photos I had.  Both replied enthusiastically, one was Curry's great-granddaughter, the other was a distant cousin.  I was able to send them two photos of Curry (including the one from that post), Curry's brother Albert, his sister Emma, his sister Lillie and what we believe are their parents at a younger age.  They were very excited to receive these photos as they had not seen these before.  Below are the photos I sent:

Curry Williams

J. Albert Williams 1861 - 1923

Lillie Williams (left) 1890s

Emma Wms. Singleton 1890s

prob Abner & Agatha Wms 1860s

Happy Birthday United States of America!!

1918 Postcard

Happy 4th of July! - 1900's Patriotic Young Women

I thought this early photograph, dated between 1900 - 1910,  to be particularly fitting for today's post.  It shows thirteen young women all dressed alike and each holding an American flag.  They are wearing white shirtwaist blouses with dark skirts and dark bows at the neck.  Most are wearing a version of the Gibson Girl hairstyle so popular at the time.  I wonder if they were appearing in a school function or community event for a holiday such as the Fourth of July? I guess I'll never know as this oversized, 7" x 9" cabinet card does not identify the subjects or the photographer.

Tintype Tuesday - Beautiful 1870's Woman

This lovely young lady posed for the photographer for this tintype most likely in the 1870's.  She is sitting in the typical fringed chair of the era.  She has her hair pulled back in a rather severe fashion and it is difficult to tell what is on the top of her head but it appears to be a bow or other hair accessory.  She is wearing ear-bobs, necklace an rings on her right hand.  The top of her dress seems to be quite fitted with beautiful frilled neckline and cuffs, and I am not sure if the dress has a bustle, but I am guessing that it does.  She appears to be holding something in her left hand, but I cannot tell what it is.

Due to the high, quite decorative neckline I believe this photo to have been take in the mid to late 1870's.  Unfortunately as is most often the case with tintypes, both the subject and the photographer are unidentified.

Military Monday - WWI Sailor? and Wife ca 1918

This real photo postcard shows what I believe is a WWI sailor and and wife posing for the camera.  This appears to be the type of uniform sailors wore during WWI.  The couple is mostly unidentified except for their first names which are found on the back where it says, "To Grandmother, From Ruth and Harvey." 

WWI began in July of 1914 and lasted until November 1918.  This particular type of postcard was produced by AZO and as evidenced by the photo stamp box on the back was produced between 1918 and 1930.  It is possible that it was taken in 1918, possibly at the end of the war.  Unfortunately, since it was not postmarked and mailed, I cannot be certain.

Sentimental Sunday - Women with Hats - 1900 Philadelphia Woman

This photograph of an unidentified, mature, well-dressed woman was taken in Philadelphia probably around 1900. Her pose is very austere and from her clothing she appears to be well off. This card is an example of the changes cabinet cards went through at the end of the 19th century and into the beginning of the 20th. The size began changing as did the material the card was made out of. This particular card measures 3 5/8" x 5 1/2" instead of the standard for cabinet cards of 4" x 6". It is gray in color and made out of materials that became popular at that time, densely pressed cardboard between two pieces of covering that is pure color¹. It is embossed with the photographer's name as well as engraved with scrolls around the inner frame.

The photographer was E. J. Davis, located at 2021 Frankford Ave, and 1608 Susquehanna Ave, Philadelphia. He sounds like he must have been fairly prosperous at his profession, but I have been unable to find out anything about him. I did find this one small ad in the January 1908 edition of Snapshots from Google² books:

Sources:

1. Phototree.com
2. Google books