GENTLEMAN WITH PINCE NEZ EYEGLASSES IN SOUTH BEND, INDIANA

This cabinet card features a very interesting looking and nicely dressed gentleman. He is wearing a straw hat and  pince nez glasses. He has the appearance of someone well educated. The subject of this portrait has a unique looking beard. To view other distinctive beards, click on the category “Beards (Only the Best). The photograph was produced by the McDonald Studio of South Bend, Indiana. The McDonald studio remains in business today. It is the oldest photography studio in the Michiana area. What is Michiana? Michiana is a region in northern Indiana and southwestern Michigan centered on the city of South Bend.. Albert J. McDonald founded the gallery in 1861. He operated the business for 41 years and was succeeded by his son. The Bulletin of Photography (1917) printed  McDonald’s obituary. The article reports that he was born in Rochester, New York in 1841. His family moved to South Bend when he was nine years of age.

A STUDIOUS LOOKING MAN WEARING PINCE-NEZ SPECTACLES IN NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK

The gentleman pictured in this cabinet card has the appearance of a scholarly man. The man’s pince nez eyeglasses, and his beard contribute to his studious look. Pince-nez glasses are a style of spectacle that is supported without earpieces, by pinching the bridge of the wearer’s nose. The name has French origin and this type of eyewear reached peak popularity between 1880 and 1900. The photographer of this cabinet card is H. T. See & H. (I. or J.) Epler. The middle initial of Epler is unclear in the reference where it was found. An advertisement for the See & Epler studio appeared in the Columbia Spectator (1899). The advertisement stated the studio was the “Photographer to Columbia University” and that the firm offered special rates to students. The studio was located in New York City and Saratoga, New York.

CLERGYMAN IN LUDLOW, VERMONT

A clergyman is featured in this cabinet card portrait from a photographer named Moore in Ludlow, Vermont. The man has an educated appearance emanating from his beard and pince-nez spectacles.Pince-nez are a style of spectacles that was popular in the nineteenth century. These glasses were not supported by ear pieces but instead, stayed on the wearer by pinching on the bridge of his or her nose.  The clergyman  is wearing a pin near his collar and part of the chain from his pocket watch is visible at the bottom of the image. The Photographic Journal of America (1890) mentions photographer, C. A. Moore of Ludlow, Vermont. He is likely the same Moore that created this image.