Lot 86

Lot 86

Fun cabinet card of Professor Andre’s Swiss Alpine Choir.  We see fifteen women and girls along with a younger lad next to the professor. The woman sitting front and center holds her guitar. According to the Galata link online, “Carl M. Andre, professor of music in St. Gallen, Switzerland, organized Prof. Andre’s Swiss Alpine Choir about 1880, starring singers Mary E. Williams, Pollie Handley, Lily Marshall, Anna Lammer and Rebecca Brooks. Their tour of Great Britain in 1881 was organized by the British Association for the Promotion of Temperance. The Temperance movement was dedicated to encouraging moderation and fiscal prudence, particularly among the poor, and one of the pillars of its program was the abstention from alcohol.” The website has a coin with the professor on the front and ad on the back for “The Matrimonial Society” and the saying “No tippler need apply.”  The image is very good plus condition with striking rich tones and contrast. By Brown, Barnes & Bell which had studios in Edinburgh from 1881 to 1886.  However they also operated all over England from the late 1870’s through the early 1900’s.