Wedding Wednesday - 1890's Milwaukee, WI Couple (Victorian Era)

This attractive young couple are identified on the back as Max and Lizzie.  They posed for photographer Wollensak of Milwaukee in the 1890's for their wedding photo.  The bride is quite lovely and trim in her white dress. and her dress has just the right amount of frills, but is still elegant.

Wollensak was William Wollensak who had studios at 450 and 500 National Avenue.  He was born in Germany 17 Jun 1851 and died in Milwaukee 3 Jan 1922.  He is buried at Forest Home Cemetery in Milwaukee (FindAGrave).

Wedding Wednesday - 1890's (Victorian Era) Belleville, IL Bride and Groom

This interesting 1890's Cabinet Card shows how many brides did not wear white, but instead wore serviceable dresses that could be worn again and  again for many other occasions.  This lovely bride is wearing a most likely dark brown or black dress, but with the typical white headdress with white flowers you see so often in this time period. The subjects in this photograph are unidentified.

The photographer is Frederick B. Merkel of Belleville, IL who was born 3 Mar 1851 in Belleville to German immigrants, Phillip and Elizabeth Merkel.  He practiced his craft in Belleville between 1880 to at least 1910 when he moved to West Palm Beach, FL.  He died on 27 Feb 1930.  I have published one other photograph for this photographer  - see here:  https://forgottenfacesandlongagoplaces.blogspot.com/search/label/Photographer%20-%20Merker.

Wedding Wednesday - Turn of the Century (Edwardian) Double Wedding in Westfield, WI

Looking at this photo of these two young Westfield, WI women you may think you are seeing double.  They appear to be sisters, possibly twins and are wearing identical dresses, veils and even hairstyles for their double wedding.  They are also wearing white gloves with their gowns and I believe I can see their rings through the gloves.  I find it interesting that only the bride on the right is wearing a locket around her neck.  I wonder if she is possibly the older of the two and this was an heirloom that was passed down to her?  Their grooms even look like and could possibly be related and are wearing identical suits as well.  Due to the style of dress and the type of cabinet card I believe this to have been taken between 1900 - 1910.  There is no identification on the back of the card.  I wish I knew who they were and what their story was.

The photographer was Fenner & Son of Westfield, Wis.  This was John Fenner and his son Jacob who were active in the area between 1895 - 1925.  John Fenner was born in Germany in 1834 to Jacob Fenner and Anna Martha Grebruse and he died on 3 Jul 1923. 

Wedding Wednesday - Beautiful 1900's (Edwardian) Minneapolis Bride and Groom

Another Edwardian Era photograph of a very lovely and serene bride who was married in Minneapolis, MN in the 1900's to her equally handsome groom. The maid of honor and best man aren't too shabby either!  Due to the location and the photographer I suspect the people involved were probably of Swedish descent.  The bride and maid of honor's style of dress seems to date this in the latter of the 1900's probably between 1905 - 1910.  You can see a small brooch or cameo at the throat of the bride on the high neckline of her dress.  If you look closely, you can also see her wedding ring on her left hand.  The people in the photograph are sadly not identified - such a shame.

The photographers were Petri & Svenson located at 129 Washington Avenue South.  They were the team of Samuel H. Petri and Ernest T. Svenson who were active Minneapolis photographers from 1894 - 1915.

Wedding Wednesday - 1890's (Edwardian) Chicago Newlyweds

This attractive young Chicago couple posed for their photograph most likely in the early 1890's.  The bride's veil is similar to other's I have posted about here before.  Her finger-less gloves are the first I have seen though.  I can see a wedding ring on the groom's left hand, but am unable to see one on the bride's hand.  The bride is lovely with a tiny waist, wearing a light colored dress unlike the more serviceable dresses seen before in this time frame.  I'm not sure that it is white, perhaps gray?

The back of this dark grey cabinet card is very interesting.  It is actually much darker than seen here and to me it seems to have a Gothic feel. I have lightened it up so it is easier to see.  The front, of course, notes that the photographer is Rudolph's Studio at 957 Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago.  Not much was found for Louis Rudolph but he shows up once in the 1904 Chicago City Directory and again in the 1930 Chicago Census as a Proprietor of a Picture Show.  He was born circa 1878 in Denmark.

Unfortunately, as so often occurs, there is no identification for the couple.  It's truly a shame as I'm sure there are probably descendants who would love to have this photo.

Wedding Wednesday - Elegant 1930's (Art Deco Era) Wedding Party

For today's Wedding Wednesday here is a great photograph of a very fashionable and sophisticated 1930's wedding party.  The bride and groom are in the middle; not sure which couple are the maid of honor and best man.  The bridal bouquet is made of Calla Lilly's which were very popular in the 1930's.  Her veil and the long train are a work of art!

The photographer was Damoff Studio of 37 Monroe St., Passaic, N.J.  I was unable to find much information on this photographer.  This appears to be Herman Damoff  born on  15 Sep 1891 and died in October of 1978 in New Jersey as per this 1930 Passaic, NJ City Directory entry:

Wedding Wednesday - Exquisite 1920's (Art Deco Era) New York City Bride

What can say about this stunning 1920's New York City bride.  She is a vision of bridal perfection. Her dress is so beautiful and ethereal, but what is amazing is if you look closely, her dress is actually a short sleeved, light shift almost like a chemise. This seems to be a common theme in the 1920's and they were all so beautiful.  There is much more to the veil it seems than the dress.  The wrap-around headdress is magnificent with its pearl beading. She is also wearing a long pearl necklace and note her full length lacy gloves. 

Unfortunately, this beautiful bride is unidentified which is quite sad; she is probably someone's mother, grandmother or great-grandmother and I'm sure they would love to have this photograph.

The photographer was Speiss of 54 Second Avenue, New York.  His technique was excellent in the softness he applied to her face; she is truly a  bride for the ages.

Wedding Wednesday - Late 1880's (Victorian Era) Austin, Texas Newlyweds

This cabinet card, although a bit faded, is still a great photograph of a lovely bride and her groom from circa 1889 Austin, TX.  The bride is wearing a lovely white gown with fitted bodice, high neck and the shoulders have the slight puff seen in the late 1880's.  Her headdress is also quite lovely with the small white buds, I'm not sure what they are called, but I have seen them on other photographs in this time frame.  They are also on the groom's matching boutonniere. He is seated with his hand in jacket - I have never understood the significance of this pose - and the bride has her hand resting on his shoulder.

The back of the photograph has a very interesting photographer's mark, note the dragon breathing fire in the upper left hand corner.  The photographer was Harvey Roberts Marks (1821 - 1902) well-known Daguerrean and photographer, born in New York City and according to "Pioneer Photographers From The Mississippi To The Continental Divide" he had an illustrious career criss-crossing the country from San Francisco (1851) Baltimore, MD (1851 - 1853) to Mobile, AL (1855 - 1859) to Houston (1865-1867) to Austin(1870 - 1902).

In February 1851 in San Francisco he daguerreotyped the castaways of the Japanese ship Eriki-Maru while they were aboard the US revenue bark, Polk.  This was substantiated two years later by the "Illustrated News" who published three wood engravings of these sailors with the comment that the illustrations were after daguerreotypes by H. R. Marks of Baltimore.  See here for a photo of one of the castaways.

Marks won a number of awards during his career including January of 1853 from the Maryland Institute  the "highest premium for the eminent superiority of his Pictures" and seventeen prizes at the 1880 Capitol State Fair in Austin.  He also was the vice president of the national Photographic Association in 1874 and 1881 and was a life member.   He also served as a captain  in the Houston Battalion of militia infantry during the Civil War.  There are cartes de visites still existing  with his Houston imprint of uniformed Confederate officers.

He is said to have the longest career of any Austin photographer in the nineteenth century.  He was pre-deceased by his wife Emily and three children and left his estate to his long time assistant George H. Berner.

Source:  Pioneer Photographers From the Mississippi to the Continental Divide, 1839 - 1865 by Peter E. Palmquist, Thomas R. Kailbourn.  Stanford University Press, Stanford California, 2005.  Google eBooks.

Wedding Wednesday - Unusual 1920's (Art Deco Era) Troy, New York Newlyweds

I don't even know where to start with this photograph of an 1920's newlywed couple posing with the maid-of-honor and best man.  There is certainly a lot to look at in this wedding photo taken by The Lloyd Studio of Troy, NY.  Both women are elaborately dressed, but obviously the woman on the left is the bride as she is wearing the most unusual headdress with a filmy train and lace arm mitts.  The detail is so stunning on both women's dresses and shows up quite clearing in the photo.  The bride is also wearing what appears to be her wedding rings on her right hand.  The woman on the right is wearing a beautiful headpiece made out of what appears to be pearls with Art Nouveau tones.  These were usually popular in the early to mid-1920's.  Both women are wearing pearl necklaces, also popular in that time frame.  I find it interesting that their bouquets appear to be almost equal in size, I would think the bride's would be larger.

The groom and best man are dressed nearly identically in dark suits in suits with small boutonnieres and holding white gloves.  Notice that both have their hands on the shoulders of the woman in front of them.  The man on the right has a most unusual hairstyle!  I do believe the groom has a rather dour look on his face.

The photographer was Alexander Lloyd born September 1869 in New York to parents Alexander and Mary Lloyd..  In the 1920 Troy Ward 1, Rensselaer, New York census he is married to wife Mary with a son James B. I found this ad in the February 23, 1920 edition of The Troy Times listing his address at 44 Third Street:

The Troy Times, 23 Feb 1920

Wedding Wednesday - 1920's (Art Deco Era) Bride from Pottstown, PA

Look at this lovely 1920's bride who was photographed on her wedding day by Santangelo of Pottstown, PA.  I don't know anything about her, but she made a beautiful bride in her long white gown and beautiful  headdress with with the long, lacy train.  This photo is framed in an elegant 6 1/2 x 9' cardboard folder.    I have cut it down to make it easier to see the lovely bride.

The photographer was Antone (Tony) Santangelo (1879 - ?) who  lived and worked for many years in Pottstown. He married Edith Maud Ormee on 5 Jan 1909.  He and his wife both worked as   photographers in his photography studio according to the 1920 Pottstown Ward 3, Montgomery Co, PA census. 

Wedding Wednesday - 1920's (Art Deco Era) Iowa Matrimonial Couple, Bride in Satin, Lace & Pearls

This week's bride and groom are unidentified, but what a beautiful couple they are and the presentation is gorgeous.  The photograph is housed in a 7" x 10" cardboard folder and the frame around it has a lovely Art Deco feel with the brownish-green marbling and gold inlay.

The groom is dressed simply and elegantly in his tuxedo; the bride is breathtaking in her satin dress with the most unusual headdress and veil with large rosettes. She is wearing a long strand of pearls and is holding what appears to be a white bible or prayer book.

Almost impossible to see, but just below the first gold inlay frame is the photographer's name, McIntire Studio, Ft. Madison, Ia.

Wedding Wednesday - Serene Bride - 1910's?

I know very little about this photograph; the bride is unidentified and there is no photographer's mark. It almost appears that there was a sticker of some sort at the bottom at some time, but hard to tell if that was original.  The photograph is mounted on a 6" x 9" card with embossed edges.  The woman and the pose are unusual and it almost reminds me of an actress posing for a theatrical photograph. It is purely a guess on my part, but the photo has a 1910's feel to it.  I welcome any input or suggestions to the contrary.

Wedding Wednesday -Elegant 1910's St. Louis Couple

This elegant young couple was photographed in St. Louis. MO by photographer Schneidt most likely after 1910.  The bride was truly beautiful in her white, high necked wedding gown.  I love the small tiers on the skirt of her gown and the lacy layers at the bottom of the train.  Her headdress is not overbearing, it has a light frothy feel on top of her Gibson Girl hairstyle.  She is holding a small bouquet of flowers and has a gloved hand on her new husband's arm.  The groom is dressed in a simple black suit with a high collared shirt and matching bow tie.  He is holding a pair of white gloves in his left hand and you can see his wedding band.

The photographer was George Gustav Schneidt, born 14 Nov 1887 in Missouri.  I found Schneidt in the 1908 St. Louis City Directory living at 3301 S. Jefferson Avenue and working as a clerk.   Note the address on the photo says "3300 S. Jefferson Avenue."  In the 1910 census he was living in a boarding house and listed his occupation as "salesman."  He was found once again in the City Directories of 1914, 1916 and 1917 working as a photographer at  3114A S. Grand Ave. He was living was again at the S. Jefferson Ave. address in the 1920 census with his mother Barbara, a widow, and sister Norma.  Evidently this was probably the family home.  In the 1930 census at age 41 he was living there with his wife of eleven years, Frieda, no children and no mother or sister listed.  I found a death record for Schneidt in Missouri for Feb of 1965.

This photograph was likely taken either between 1910 and 1914 before his move to Grande Ave or between 1917 and 1920 when he returned to Jefferson Avenue.  I tend to lean towards the earlier time frame.  

Wedding Wednesday - Enchanting 1920's Newlywed Couple from Fall River, Mass.

This 1920's wedding photograph of a young newlywed couple looks just like something out of an old Hollywood movie. It is one of the more intimate and unusual poses I have seen to date.  While I cannot see the full face of either of the unidentified subjects, I am totally drawn in by the beauty and sensuality of the pose and can feel the love and affection of this couple.  The photographer, J. A. Bello, was quite gifted at his craft, creating lifetime memories for his clients.  Bello was located at 226 S. Main St., Fall River, Mass.  The 4" x 6" photograph is enclosed in a beautiful, Art Deco style, embossed cardboard folder .

The photographer's full name was Jose Augusto Bello born in Azevo, Pinheil, Beira Baixa, Portugal on 28 Jul 1879.  He immigrated to the US in November of 1913 arriving at the port of St. Albans, Vt.  By 1925 he was working in Fall River, Massachusetts as a photographer at the Main Street address.  In the 1930 Fall River census he listed his marital status as widowed.  In 1940 he was living in East Providence,  RI where he continued his photography business.

Wedding Wednesday - Newlywed 1890's St.Louis, MO Couple

This unidentified newlywed couple were photographed at the Ludwig Hammer studio located at 1534 South Broadway, St. Louis, Mo. sometime in the 1890's.  The photographer was Ludwig Friedrich Hammer, Jr. born 24 Feb 1834 in Beutelsbach, Germany.  He came to the US sometime before 1861, married Julia ? and settled in St. Louis where he practiced his craft.  There are numerous St. Louis City Directory listings for him between the 1870's and about 1909.

Unidentified 1890's St. Louis, Mo Couple

I believe this attractive young couple were photographed between 1889 and 1895.

Wedding Wednesday - Ethereal 1920's Chicago Bride

Today's lovely 1920's bride is posing with what I assume is her maid of honor.  This Art Deco photograph is in very poor shape with a number of scratches and flaws (see bottom photo below). The woman on the left has a black mark on her nose, but from their facial features and the shape of their mouths I suspect they were sisters.  This young bride was truly an ethereal and exquisite vision.  She appears so serene and is wearing a lovely white gown with the most beautiful headdress.  She is holding a large bouquet of white roses. One thing I always find interesting and have seen before;  she is wearing white heeled shoes, her maid of honor is wearing very serviceable black shoes.

Unknown 1920's bride and maid of honor (sisters?)

The photographer was the Liberty Studio at, 223 Milwaukee  Ave., Chicago.  I did not find any information on this studio, but perhaps another of the many ethnic photography studios along the Milwaukee Avenue corridor which included a large Polish population.

Wedding Wednesday - Beautiful 1920s Newark, NJ Bride

Unknown 1920s Newark NJ Bride

This beautiful young bride from the 1920's had her photograph taken by Silver & Steinberg located at Springfield & 15th Aves. in Newark, NJ.  She is wearing a white wedding gown with a scooped neck and sheer sleeves.  I love her bridal  cap with the Greek-like floral arrangement and the veil/headdress with the unusual trim along the edges.  She is wearing a pearl necklace and is holding a large bouquet of red roses and white carnations. She seems to be very young, probably a teenager.  I wish we could have seen a picture of her groom.

I found a few other pictures taken by the same studio, but had no luck finding any further information on the photographers.  This photograph was placed and preserved in a decorative Art Deco style folder, which although a bit stained, has held up over the years and is still very attractive.

Wedding Wednesday - Elegant 1920's Chicago Newlyweds

Unknown couple, Avondale Photo Studio,
2987 Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, Ill.

Today's bride and groom are another example of the elegant photography of the 1920's. This photograph was taken by the Avondale Photography Studios located at 2987 Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, Ill.  There were a large number of photography studios on Milwaukee Avenue during this era and the area surrounding the route was associated with many ethnicities including a large Polish population.  

While the bride's dress is difficult to see, her headdress is unique, almost cap-like and instead of a train it wraps around her like a lace shawl.  I may not be describing this correctly, but it is quite lovely.  She is holding a large bouquet of white roses and other flowers with trailing ribbons.  The groom is very dashing is his tux and I like his casual pose with his hand in his pocket.  All in all, I would say they look very happy.

Wedding Wednesday - Yet Another 1890's Newlywed Photo by R. Alex Wells

One more newlywed couple by photographer R. Alex Wells of Higginsville, MO, this cabinet card features an attractive young couple both staring intently at the camera.  Neither are smiling, but I don't sense that they are unhappy.  The groom who is seated seems relaxed and the bride, standing no doubt to showcase her beautiful gown, exudes elegance.  I find her dress quite unique from the soft, high neckline to the large bow at the waist to the slight tiers at the bottom of the skirt.  The dress in its simplicity is simply breathtaking!  I believe this photograph to have been taken late 1890's possibly 1896 - 1898.

Wedding Wednesday - Another 1890's Couple from Higginsville, MO

This Wednesday I bring you another young newlywed couple photographed in Higginsville, MO in the 1890's by photographer R. Alex Wells who I mentioned in a previous post.  I estimate this handsome, but unidentified couple were wed about 1895.  Not much is known about Wells, he worked as a photographer in Higginsville, in his early twenties.  In the 1910 US Census he was living in Oklahoma City, OK with wife Bertha and son Tracy and listed his parents as being born in Missouri.  He was not found in the 1900 census.  He is also found  in Oklahoma City Directories between 1913 - 1920's with a photography business at  129 1/2 West Main.