Stellar sports related CDV of two young skiers. The girl on the left is quite lovely as she smiles at the camera. Her sister or possibly mother has a look of amazement at the photographic process. Both women are dressed in cool regional ski outfits and it appears there is real snow attached to their long early wood skis. The image is in excellent minus condition with great tones and contrast. By Emil Lundborg, Likenäs, Sweden.

Opening bid: $75

Current bid: Sold

Cool CDV calling card with illustrated ambrotypes or tintypes of Mr. and Mrs. L. Stanton, Copenhagen, NY. While we’ve seen our share of photo calling cards over the years, it is unusual for them to be illustrated with ambrotypes or tintypes. The thin mount card is in very good plus condition with nice tones and contrast.

Opening bid: $15

Current bid: $20

Striking CDV of a beautiful black dog in full point. Surely someone must have tossed a bird or let a rabbit loose in the studio! The image is in very good plus condition with rich tones and contrast. Some light wear as seen. By Dahlberg, Kungsor, Sweden.

Opening bid: $20

Current bid: Sold

CDV photo of Edwin M. Stanton. Stanton of course was the U.S. Secretary of War under Lincoln during most of the Civil War. After Lincoln's assassination, Stanton remained as the Secretary of War under Andrew Johnson, during the first years of Reconstruction. Johnson's attempt to dismiss Stanton ultimately led to Johnson’s impeachment. The image has some wear as seen with a number of spots and a soft corner on the bottom left. By Woodward & Rundel, Dealers in Picture Frames, Engravings and Albums. Rochester, NY.

Opening bid: $10

Current bid: $10

CDV of Horace Greely. Greely,of course, was a newspaper editor and publisher and the founder and editor of the New York Tribune. He served briefly as a congressman from New York and was the unsuccessful candidate of the new Liberal Republican Party in the 1872 presidential election against President Ulysses S. Grant. The image has some wear and a few pinprick spots on the bottom as seen along with four clipped corners.

Opening bid: $5

Current bid: $5

Lovely profile CDV of activist Anna Elizabeth Dickinson.  Dickinson was an American lecturer on abolitionism, women’s rights, and other reform topics. She was extremely articulate yet her rhetoric was both emotional and aggressive. At age 14 she published an article in William Lloyd Garrison’s The Liberator. In 1860 she addressed the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society, and in early 1861 she spoke in Philadelphia on “Women’s Rights and Wrongs.” This speech prompted invitations to speak throughout New England. For a short time in 1861 she held a position at the U.S. mint in Philadelphia, but she was fired for publicly accusing General George B. McClellan of treason in the loss of the Battle of Ball’s Bluff. In January 1864, she addressed a gathering, including President Abraham Lincoln, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Dickinson was the first woman to give a political address before the United States Congress. The image is in very good condition with some wear and a little nick on the right side and bottom left of the photo.

Opening bid: $25

Current bid: $25

Great photographic advertising cabinet card for Doremus Fine Photographs. This was also a commemorative photo for Patterson, N.J.’s centennial celebration. In addition to numerous portraits by the studio we see scenes from around Patterson. The back states “Always the Leader” and goes on to describe the souvenir in celebration of 100 years. We love that they also advertise on the bottom that they are a “Dealer in Amateur Outfits and General Photographers’ Supplies,” creating a new generation of photographers. The image is in excellent minus condition.

Opening bid: $55

Current bid: $70

Exceptional silver print cabinet card of an African-American gentleman wearing an apron and posed with his gun and dog. Three white guys who appear to be from the city are directly behind him with their camera on a tripod. They are clearly on a fishing expedition as we see various poles on the banks with the lines in the water. It appears there is a small flat boat directly behind in the glistening river. Dressed in gentleman’s clothes with pipes hanging from their mouth they appear out of place in this rustic area. We are fascinated by the man’s rifle and are curious about the make. At first glance we thought this was a double barrel shotgun but under magnification you can see the top is a double square barrel. The photo is in very good condition with some light wear as seen.

Opening bid: $75

Current bid: $

Wonderful cabinet card of a stylish young African-American man sporting a lovely tailored suit and accompanied by a fashionable bowler style hat. This gentleman surely attracted a lot of attention as he exude confidence and style. The image is in very good condition with some light wear; more noticed on the mount. The bottom right corner of the card has a ding.

Opening bid: $35

Current bid: $35

Lovely cabinet card of a beautiful young black woman wearing a gorgeous dress with a broach attached at her neckline. Her eyes are quite mesmerizing! She is identified on the back as Mrs. A.A. Maxfield, Aug. 28, 1893. The image is in very good plus condition with great tones and contrast along with some light wear that is seen at an angle. There are some scuffs on the bottom mount. It is by H.W. Johnson, Louisiana, MO. Louisiana is located just south of Hannibal on the Mississippi River.

Opening bid: $40

Current bid: Sold

Fascinating cabinet card of the Gladstone Hotel. We see the owners and guest posed in front of the entrance with the workers, including two black men, on the far left. A small wagon with a sign that reads “Scotts Fresh Fish” is to the right and while it is difficult to say for certain the gentleman driving the wagon might also be black. There are numerous Gladstone Hotels in various parts of the world; because there is no identification, we have not located this particular building during our search. The image is in very good condition with some small spots as seen.

Opening bid: $25

Current bid: $50

Kodak cabinet card of a small wooden house and a barn or outbuilding. We love that the wooden fence has been pieced-together with parts from other projects. The foreground was likely a field for some type of crop during the summer months. The back reads, “Negro Householder “ in ink. It is in very good condition with some of the toning noticed on the edges that is typical of these amateur photographs.

Opening bid: $10

Current bid: $

Extremely rare and unique cabinet card of a gentleman proudly displaying the silverware given to him upon his retirement. He actually sent this image with a dedication printed on the back to his company so all the employees could see the gift he received. It is addressed on the back as St. Louis, Feb. 28, 1878 and sent to Messrs. S.B VanNortwick, W.F. Coleman, H.W.Corwin, W.H. Hornbeck, J.J. Terwilliger, W.F. Casey and others and signed by W. G. Brownson. We have provided a copy for you to read. The stunning silver is engraved W.G.B. The image is in excellent minus condition with a hint of wear. We doubt you’ll find another example like this one!

Opening bid: $30

Current bid: $65

Amazing cabinet card showing large groups of grapes growing on a vine. The photo is mesmerizing and the vines look bountiful. The previous owner said this was found with other images from the Napa Valley area but there is no identification other than some pencil inscriptions for a specific winery that we have been unable to identify. The inscriptions also include two names and numerical calculations. We have provided a scan - if anyone can identify the winery it would be appreciated. This lovely image is in very good condition with nice tones and contrast. Some wear more noticeable on the mount as seen. 

Opening bid: $45

Current bid: $

Extraordinary French small format, (approximately 4” x 5”), cabinet card of a master sculptor and his protégé. They are posed with an interesting clay bust sculpture of a handsome young man with a fabulous hat. The ultimate professional, the maestro gleams with joy at his latest work of art , which has a hanging hook extending from the top of the piece. His young assistant glances to the right, seemingly more interested in the workings of the photographer. Not to be missed is the cool wooden stand that can be raised or lowered during the delicate work. The image has deep rich tones with lovely contrast. The mount is thin and the top right corner area is soft.

Opening bid: $50

Current bid: $50

Impressive cabinet card showing C. L. D. Crockwell's store at 318 Broadway in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The previous owner identified this from a Daily Nonpareil newspaper ad from 1881 that mentioned a doll at Crockwell and Co.’s music store. The two owners, possibly a father and son, stand near the doorway while a man on the left holds the handle of a wicker baby buggy. They obviously sold a diverse amount of material as we see numerous other buggies, wagons and baskets grouped together on the right side. A birdcage hangs on the left side of the door with a fan on the right side. Their specialty appears to be music, books and wallpaper but, of course, we know from the ad they also sold dolls. There is a sign top right for a candy manufacturer next door at 316. The image is in very good condition with a little lighter tones as seen and a few small spots at the top.  

Opening bid: $45

Current bid: $45

Incredible large English cabinet card (5 5/8” x 7 7/8”) of a long haired, wide-eyed boy posed with his humongous stuffed bear. The toy is mounted on wheels with a large chain around his neck for easy movement around the house or yard. The lad’s cute sailor outfit is adorable and the open window background compliments the scene perfectly. This family was clearly quite wealthy and it is doubtful that there were many of these bears made. The image is in excellent minus condition with strong tones and contrast. There is one light line visible when held at an angle that appears to be original to the negative. This might be the only example of this bear still in existence so if you collect toys this is a unique piece to show your friends! By T.T. Payne, Hull.

Opening bid: $35

Current bid: $

Stunning cabinet card of large group of people posed in the Saxon-Thuringian balloon. The captain is seen in the front on the left, and for a perspective of the sheer size you’ll notice a crew member dwarfed by the basket in the background. This was built by the famous aero inventor and noted French balloonist, Eugène Godard, along with French engineer Édouard Surcouf. In 1863 Godard built the giant balloon, Le Géant, for Nadar which inspired the Jules Verne novel “Five Weeks in a Balloon.” The top of the card reads, “In memory of the captive balloon (constructed by Godard and Surcouf) at the Saxon-Thuringian industrial and commercial exhibition in Leipzig 1897.” The sharp image is in excellent minus condition with spectacular tones and contrast.

Opening bid: $45

Current bid: $90

Historic cabinet card of the railroad ferry steamer, “Solano.” The CentralPacific Railroad Photographic History Museum website contains an 1890 article from the American Society of Civil Engineers, by Robert L. Harris. He writes, “During a journey in 1885 to and from my old home in California, I saw much to interest me socially and professionally. Among the objects of engineering development was the Railroad Ferry Steamer ‘Solano,’ which is supposed to be the largest in the world and which belongs to the Central Pacific Railway Company, and is in use at the Straits of Carquinez.”  Wikipedia states, “The Solano was a large railroad ferry, built as a reinforced paddle steamer with independently powered sidewheels by the Central Pacific Railroad that carried entire trains across the Carquinez Strait between Benicia and Port Costa in California daily for 51 years, from 1879 to 1930. When launched, the Solano was the largest ferry of its kind in the world, a record held for 35 years until 1914 when she was joined by her sister ship, the Contra Costa, which was 13 feet (4.0 m) longer.” Additional information is also available about the ship’s history.
The photographer has captured an impressive view of the Solano in dock and we see a lone gentleman in a suit at the front. A few workers are seen in the background performing their daily duties. The image is in very good condition with nice tones and contrast with some wear as seen. By the Continent Stereoscopic Company, New York.

Opening bid: $40

Current bid: $

Delightful boudoir cabinet card of the Lilly of the Rock boat getting ready to launch in Wisconsin. Men are lined on the deck but the ship is primarily filled with boys ready to have a grand time. We love the one lad on the top level who is using large oars as a pair of stilts. The image is in very good plus condition with fabulous tones and contrast and a hint of wear. The photographer is identified as E. H. Burdick, Milton, Wis.

Opening bid: $25

Current bid: $40

Amazing cabinet card of two men using a hoist to unload a Chicago and North Western Railway car. On the back it reads “capacity 40,000 lbs.” Large rolls of what appear to be fencing are stacked on a wagon, clearly weighing down the back end. The line on the hoist is attached to the large white horse in the foreground that is being maneuvered by a worker. There also appears to be a raised livestock chute on the right side. The image is in very good plus condition with a hint of wear.

Opening bid: $25

Current bid: $25

Stunning cabinet card of a mother and her three children, along with the family’s two cats. Artfully captured outside their brick home, the background is spectacular with the bright vines extending to the sky. The black cat on mother’s lap sits peacefully while the two-toned cat on the right noticed some prey and is ready to dash. The image is in excellent minus condition with spectacular tones and contrast

Opening bid: $60

Current bid: $60

Gorgeous silver print cabinet card of a cute young girl posed with her stunning cat. Both are true professionals, sitting perfectly still on a lovely white bench in front a simple but stylish background. The image is in excellent minus condition with spectacular tones and contrast. A couple of minor small spots as seen. By G. Brian, Paris.  

Opening bid: $50

Current bid: $65

Cool cabinet card of a Wisconsin family in full winter dress. They are all sporting fur throughout and the only hint of a Caucasian cultural reference is the woman’s dress that is visible under her striped fur coat. As a hardcore frontier man, the husband was likely a trapper and hunter as his entire outfit is made from the wild. The child’s clothing is striking as well. Possibly they were influenced by the Ojibwe tribes of the area. The St.Croix River runs through Hudson making it a prime area for trapping. There is a pencil inscription on the back which reads “Bergith” but we have no idea of the meaning. The image is in very good condition with lighter tones as seen with some light wear. By Larson, Hudson, Wis.

Opening bid: $25

Current bid: $25

Killer semi-profile cabinet card of a French Cuirassier. The Cauirassiers were a cavalry unit and this man wears a “16” on his collar. Posed with his arms crossed he is a stately and intense military man wearing a spectacular helmet with long streaming horse hair attached at the top creating an impressive and intimidating appearance.  There is a hand signature on the back that appears to read “Madame Jules Hanrye,” but we have no clue of the connection.  The image is presented in an oval format  and is in very good minus condition with nice tones and contrast. This is a raised cameo style photo and it has some wear and marks especially at an angle. By Paul LaPierre, Mourmelon le Grand, France.  The military camp was created at the behest of Napoleon III and opened August 30, 1857 during the Second French Empire. LaPierre advertised that he operated at the camp entrance.

Opening bid: $30

Current bid: $

Exciting cabinet card of a young decorated fencing champion.  He is sporting eight medals on his simple tight black competition outfit. He leans on his shiny sword, his deadly grip evidenced by the veins protruding out of his hand on the right. The image is in very good condition with nice tones and contrast. While difficult to see, an interesting bonus is that the photograph is signed by the photographer on the bottom right of the image. By Kronebesyes, Chester, PA.

Opening bid: $30

Current bid: $30

Fun cabinet card of a polo player riding a stunning horse with a cropped tail. We love that the sun has cast a shadow of the two in the background. According to the previous owner, this was most likely one of the sons of Henry Harrison Null (b. 1815) and Ellen Dom, Greensburg, PA. While it might seem an odd area for polo, the likes of tycoons Henry Frick and Andrew Carnegie operated in the region. The image is in very good condition with strong tones and contrast with some wear as seen. Two spots are noticed just below the rider’s hat.

Opening bid: $15

Current bid: $

Dazzling musical cabinet card of two women serenading their audience in a realistic –looking studio boat that is cruising down the lake. The happy go lucky woman on the left is strumming her guitar, which has her signature ribbon tied at the top. Her partner is more reserved but ready to join on her mandolin. Both have stage outfits that seem to fit the nautical scene, with the crowning glory their cool white hats. This great image is in very good plus condition with great tones and contrast. Some light wear at an angle. By Hoffman, Newark, N.J.

Opening bid: $45

Current bid: $45

Heartwarming cabinet card of two precious children posed in their shiny new sleigh. Both are dressed in adorable fuzzy outfits and a lovely, patterned blanket protects them from the cold and snow. The image is in very good plus condition with one small light wrinkle/crease on the left perimeter that is hard to see from the front. It is not a bend as this is heavy card stock. The tones and contrast are as nice as you will find.

Opening bid: $15

Current bid: $15

Artistic cabinet card of a young man pumping the well on the family farm. Framed perfectly, the photographer has created a wonderful pastoral scene with the small barn and billowing trees in the overcast background. A nice twist is the hint of snow just behind the pump. The image is in very good plus condition with strong tones and contrast. By John Thurston, Boston.

Opening bid: $20

Current bid: $

Intriguing circular Kodak cabinet card of a gentleman driving one of the most unique wagons we have seen. There is a name on the side of the circular back but can’t decipher the letters. We’re hoping someone can identify this because we really want to know its purpose! It must have some weight as there are two large horses pulling this through the snow covered street with a large white house in the background. The image is in very good minus condition. There is possibly a sun flare on the top right and a grayer area on the border that is original to the piece. .

Opening bid: $25

Current bid: $25

Entertaining cabinet card of four young women demonstrating their sewing skills. We love that this portrait seems so natural as all but one go about their work. The woman on the left is working on a hat but she takes a moment to look at her friend’s gorgeous bolt of velvet fabric. The woman sitting on the right has completed her hat so she looks towards the photographer while the lovely young lady behind contemplates another addition to her already eclectic feather top design. We see hoops and forms scattered on the floor below. We also love this quirky makeshift studio backdrop! The image is in very good minus condition with nice tones and contrast. There is some wear and spots as seen. It is identified in ink on the back as “Pardeville,(sic), friends,” L.H. Rocky, Pardeeville, Wis. We aren’t sure of the photographer’s last name as the ink stamp has leached.

Opening bid: $30
Current bid: $30

Charming cabinet card of a young girl practicing on a lovely A. Reed and Sons Square Grand Piano. It is quite stunning and dwarfs this young student as her legs dangle from the plush playing bench. A sheet of music is visible but not legible. She has done a wonderful job with her pose, as she glances to the side so we can see her lovely features while keeping her hands perfectly in place. The silver print is in very good plus condition with one flaw on her dress that is a minor nick in the image. The tones and contrast are very strong. By McManus, Litchfield, IL.

Opening bid: $25

Current bid: $25

Fun cabinet card of a smiling boy posed with his cool steam engine. On the top back we see a bell so we assume this is a model train engine. However, it is interesting that the front shows a tunnel opening and we wonder if another surprise waits inside? The image is in excellent minus condition with superior tones and contrast. By Trembley, Naples. There is a handstamp identification on the back and it didn’t ink the exact location but we believe this is Naples, FL.

Opening bid: $15

Current bid: $15

 Thought provoking cabinet card of an upright gentleman with his open book, who is framed by a large arch of fur branches. On the back wall it reads, “The Prodigal Returned Welcome Home. Faculty and students join in happy congratulations. We wish you health, peace, joy in the blessings this world. Man enjoy.”  We are thinking this might be a chapel at Union Seminary which was located in New Berlin, PA where this photo was captured. The room certainly shows its age and there is a potbelly stove in the front with a coal bucket nearby. This is a strange yet intriguing photo that is in very good condition with nice tones and contrast. There is some wear as seen. The stamp on the back is partially visible as Chas …Nus, Photographer, New Berlin, PA.

Opening bid: $25

Current bid: $

Exciting cabinet card of a hunting party enjoying a meal after an early hunt. There are four bottles of Pabst Beer front and center, a loaf of thinly sliced bread on the far side, and in the center there are sandwiches and another large filled bag nearby. A small tin of food is right behind the bag. A sliced orange is off to the left. There is a rifle on the left and a shotgun resting against the table. We are assuming this was a hunting camp judging from the makeshift picnic table and the load of content in the image. The back reads, “Compliments of the Artist. Will was the only one who could force a smile that day. Oct. 99.” The image is in very good minus condition with some soiling as seen.

Opening bid: $20

Current bid: $

Curious cabinet card that is identified in the negative as “Edward’s Wells.” It also reads “Robson’s Views of Petrolia and Vicinity.” While there are a few Petrolia towns this is in Ontario, as we have found other cabinet cards by Robson of this area. According to the International Oil Drillers website. A.C. Edward was a Scottish immigrant to Petrolia and split his time between working for the British Oil Company and managing several wells on his own land. His son Fred Edward followed him into the oil business. During Edwards’ travels to the Middle East he was purportedly saved by Lawrence of Arabia. The home where he and his sister lived received a heritage designation in 2022. This image shows a young lad posed in front, dwarfed by the numerous well structures running behind him. There are three workers in the background with piles of lumber on the ground along with a large mound of materials in the background. The silver print is in very good condition. Some wear as seen and a slight curve to the mount.

Opening bid: $15

Current bid: $35

Intriguing amateur Western cabinet card (5” x 6”) of an active street scene shot from the ledge of an upper story building.  We see numerous covered wagons lining the busy streets and a large number of patrons filling the sidewalks. Unfortunately, there is no signage visible on the buildings and the image is not identified. However, we love the perspective of this image as the blurry ledge provides the photographer’s fascinating vantage. The photo is a little lighter in tones with a few spots. .

Opening bid: $50

Current bid: $

Treasured masterpiece of an adorable boy confidently posed in his billowing white shirt and knickers. What takes this to the next level is we see his reflection in a circular mirror that is framed by a crescent moon face design. What a way to frame a portrait! An Asian designed screen is in the background and the table is enhanced by a black drape with flower appliqués and tiny puffs hanging from the bottom. One  puff is actually in a heart shape. The silver print has strong tones and contrast with some spots as seen. By Morgan, Chicago.

Opening bid: $15

Current bid: $

Cool silver print of two men reading in a parlor or library. The man on the left is reading the American Agriculturalist. According to the website, https://www.19thc-artworldwide.org/autumn21/mandravelis-on-the-american-agriculturist , “The American Agriculturist (1842–51, 1853–present), a popular trade periodical based in New York City that disseminated practical advice concerning the care, management, and improvement of the farm and rural home, has long been recognized by historians as one of the most significant farming publications of the nineteenth-century United States.” The website has an extensive history of the publication which is still published today. While there is a great deal of content in this image we love the suits on these guys. The pants are knee length with the guy on the left having a matching material underneath and a gaiter for protection against the mud. The man on the right has knee length plaid pants with either a long boot or a gaiter too. Perhaps this was a Sunday morning lounging at home, when they didn’t have to be out early for work. There is a note on the back that reads, “Jay and Rob Home.” The image has decent tones and contrast, especially for being by photographed by just a lamp light. There is a flare or flaw that was original to the negative on the left and a fold on the bottom left corner.

Opening bid: $10

Current bid: $