PRETTY WOMAN LIVES HARD KNOCK LIFE IN MUNICH, GERMANY

A pretty woman poses for her portrait at the studio of Alois Koestler in Munich, Germany. She is shapely and beautifully dressed. Her facial expression gives her the appearance of someone who is extremely stressed. It is as if her eyes are saying “I can’t take much more of this pressure!”. She look frazzled and exhausted. I wonder if this is just pure personal projection on my part or if other observers of this photograph see this young woman as appearing overwhelmed?  Hopefully, some visitors to the cabinet card gallery will leave their impression in the comment section. It is interesting to note that this photograph may have been taken during difficult times in Munich. Following the outbreak of World War I (1914); the Allies blockaded Germany and there were food and fuel shortages in Munich. Perhaps the subjects “hard knock life” appearance has to do with the stressful impact the war had on civilian life.

A GIRL WITH A WONDERFUL SMILE IN HOF, GERMANY

A pretty girl poses for her portrait at the Wilhelm Muller studio in Hof, Germany. Hof is a city in Bavaria, Germany. The city is located near the border with Czechoslovakia. This photograph may be a confirmation or communion picture. She appears to be a teenager and is very nicely dressed. She is wearing two necklaces, earrings, and a bracelet with a charm. She is also wearing a bow in her hair. She is holding something in her left hand, and what it is, isn’t exactly clear. The object appears to be a book or a purse. Perhaps a cabinet card gallery visitor can identify what it is that she is holding. One thing that is certain is that the girl in this photograph has a wonderful smile.

STYLISH MOTHER AND HER TWO CHILDREN IN BERLIN, GERMANY

A beautifully dressed young woman and two children pose for a family portrait at the studio of C. Gunteritz, in Berlin, Germany. The young woman is likely the mother of the two children, although it is possible that she could be their older sister. The little girl is holding a basket of flowers and her younger brother has a toy rabbit on his lap. The young woman’s dress is made of material that is not commonly seen in cabinet card  photographs. Hopefully, a visitor to the Cabinet Card Gallery will be able to identify the dress’s material.

FOUR SIBLINGS AND THEIR TOYS IN STEINHEIM, GERMANY

A sister and three brothers pose for their portrait at the Lammersen studio in Steinheim, Westphalia, Germany. The young girl is holding a doll with bows in its hair; which is the same way that the young girl wears her hair. One of the boys is playing with blocks while another boy is holding a book. The photographer of this image, F. Lammersen,  took the photographs for an article appearing in the Strand Magazine (1898). The article was entitled “The Most Wonderful Hedge in the World” and was about  the work of a railway guard at the Steinheim station. The railroad employee used his spare time to artistically clip hedges into wonderful sculptures and Lammersen’s camera provided many illustrations of the talented gardeners creative work.

EXCEPTIONALLY BEAUTIFUL WOMAN FROM DARMSTADT, GERMANY

The woman in this photograph is absolutely beautiful. She is also elegant and stylish. She is wearing a pretty boa and hat. The photographer of this image is Hofmann & Company. The studio was located in Darmstadt, Germany. Darmstadt is in the city of Hesse, which is a little south of  Frankfurt. An inscription on the reverse of the photograph has the subject’s name and the date of the photograph. The name of  this pretty fraulein is illegible but it is clear that the photograph was taken in 1905.

FIVE BEAUTIFUL YOUNG SIBLINGS IN DUREN, GERMANY

The parents of these five siblings must have been pleased when the photographer, Robert Ophoven, gave them this portrait. The children are beautiful, well dressed, and well posed. All three girls are wearing jewelry and their hair was carefully styled for this portrait. It is also interesting to note the intimacy between the three girls. the middle girl has an arm around the shoulders of one sister while her other arm is being grasped by her other sister. This image was photographed in Duren, Germany.

STATELY COUPLE AND THEIR SAMOYED IN STUTTGART, GERMANY

A formally dressed couple pose for their portrait at the studio of Alfred Hirrlinger in Stutgart, Germany. Also appearing in the portrait is the couple’s family dog.The small long haired white pooch is possibly a young Samoyed or Spitz. Perhaps a visitor to the cabinet card gallery can give a more informed opinion in regard to the dog’s breed. Regardless of the dog’s pedigree, the canine seems to be having a lot more fun than its masters. The couple certainly seem to be quite intense. The husband has a terrific mustache which curls at its ends. He is wearing a pocket watch which can be seen behind his open jacket. The woman is wearing a necklace and collar pin. This photograph was taken after the turn of the century. The reverse of the photograph has a printed telephone number and displays four medals won by the studio between 1897 and 1902.

HANDSOME MAN IN BERLIN, GERMANY

A handsome man poses for his portrait in this cabinet card photographed by a studio in Berlin, Germany. The name of the photographer is uncertain, since the font makes the name indecipherable. Hopefully, a visitor to this site will be able to identify the name and leave it in a comment. The fellow in this image is nicely dressed and displaying a pocket handkerchief. He has a wonderful mustache which curls up at it’s ends. To view other interesting mustaches, click on the category, “Mustaches: (Only the Best).

STYLISH MOTHER AND SON MEET SAMSON IN DUISBURG, GERMANY

A stylish mother and son pose for a portrait at the studio of Samson & Company in Duisburg, Germany. Mom has an interesting beaded dress, and a pin on her collar. The son has perfectly combed hair, and is wearing a cute short suit. He seems to be a bit intimidated by his day at the photographer, and is likely happy to be standing so close to his mother. Duisburg is a city in Germany and is located in the western part of the Ruhr area. To view other photographs that may have been produced by this photographer, click on the category, “Photographer: Samson & Co.”. The tentativeness of the previous sentence is because the other Samson & Company photograph was not produced in Duisburg. In fact, the other photograph was created at a gallery in Karlsruhe, Germany. The different locations of the Samson galleries makes one wonder if both of these photographic studios were operated by the same photographer. The two galleries were located 187 miles (300.88 kms) apart.

THREE YOUNG WOMEN IN BAD OEYNHAUSEN, GERMANY

Three pretty young women sit for their photograph at the studio of  C. Colberg in Bad Oeynhausen, Germany. This image was produced in 1905. The women may be sisters; there seems to be a shared resemblance. The women are well dressed, and are likely from a family of means. Bad Oeynhausen was a spa town at the time of this photograph. It was thought that the thermal salt spring there had healing powers. Perhaps these three women were photographed while on vacation to the spa community. Research reveals that Colberg was a royal court photographer.