Two Penny Photo Strips

These two penny photo strips were a gift from my friend Ted in the USA. As a precursor to photobooth photos, these cheap, small photo strips were often taken with the sitters using props such as hats, signs, telephones, stuffed toys, dolls and all the other types of items people might take into a modern digital photobooth.

Penny photos were frequently cut down into individual shots, traded between friends and affixed in small albums as keepsakes. They were also mounted on small pieces of embossed card that would carry the name of the photogrpaher’s studio, much like the larger and more expensive carte de visite.

This photo and the one below, are Ted’s favourites.

This one is my favourite.

The Rescued Photo

I’m posting this photo today as it reminded me of an image on the fabulous vintage photo blog The Rescued Photo. Before pulling this RPPC out, I hoped the organ player and this piano player might have been the same person. Alas no, as the organ player is Ida Taylor and this is Rose J. Page.

Fasching (Carnival), Germany, 1930s

A real photo postcard (around the 1930s) of a group of lads doing the fasching celebrations proud.

A Costume For An Entertainer

This young woman seems well prepared to entertain. With a false beard and top hat as part of her “disguise” and an accordion for musical accompaniment, I am not sure if she is a comedian, magician or perhaps a singer? Maybe she has just dressed up for the fun of it. If anyone can tell me what the round, white object at her breast might be, I’d love to know!

This is a European real photo postcard which dates to the 1930s or 40s.

Mini Sepia Series

These photos appear to have been cut down from larger snapshots. They are about the size of an old cigarette card.

I believe these were taken during the Edwardian era. There is nothing particularly exciting about them, but they appeal to me for the small details of fashion and life that they capture.

I am unsure where these came from, but I think it is probable they are German.

Happy Halloween

While not identified as a Halloween photo, this image seems appropriate for the celebration. Hope yours is a fun one.

Lady Malbourne

I bought these three snapshots from a dealer at a local antiques centre last year. It is quite rare to find old, local photographs at this type of large centre, let alone ones so quirky and interesting.

On the back of each snapshot is written Lady Malbourne.

 

Children in Costume

 

A German cabinet card. It was probably taken in the early years of the twentieth century.

Fashionable Ladies

This is a business-card sized tintype from the USA. I love the backdrop and the details in the hats and lace neck bows.

More Costumes – Part 2

This woman is identified as Janet Joyce. I can find no mention of her on Google. This photo was taken by the Newsboy studio, which was famous for portraits of actresses and Vaudeville performers in the 1890s and early 1900s.

Her costume suggests that she may have been an acrobat. It is elaborately embroidered in what appears to me, to be a central European style.