This post explores a small but rich collection of vintage images: baby cabinet cards from German studios like Emil Tiedemann and Thiele, a New York portrait by J. Gurney & Son, and a Milwaukee photo by Hugo Broichl—plus later snapshots from the 1950s. Together they trace how families in Sweden, Germany, and the United States used studio portraits and early cameras to capture fleeting moments of childhood and identity at a time when every photograph was planned, precious, and meant to last.
1800s
Step back in time to the vibrant 1800s through my eyes. Every image you see here was personally scanned or photographed by me, preserving the intricate details of this fascinating century. Explore authentic 19th-century photos, artifacts, and treasures that I’ve carefully documented to bring history to life
Turn of the century wedding, couples, and portraiture
Explore turn-of-the-century wedding portraits, from stunning black corseted dresses of the 1890s to the rise of white bridal gowns in the early 1900s. Delve into the history of wedding fashion, preserved through cabinet card photography, and uncover the stories behind these timeless vintage photographs.
Family Photos (mostly) from the 1880s
These pictures were inserted into archival plastic sleeves with no apparent order! There is a very pretty young girl, and on the back it's dated "Christmas 1885". Another, from 1889 by Hagendorff of Milwaukee Wisconsin... is this one of the same...
St. Louis Turn of the Century Family Photography
A richly scanned collection of turn‑of‑the‑century St. Louis cabinet cards and studio portraits—J. Haas, Setzer, When, Crescent, Parsons, and others—featuring a young soldier, First Communion scenes, and unforgettable character studies. Dive into Victorian‑to‑Edwardian fashion details, studio backdrops, and card‑back imprints to help date and better understand these Missouri family photographs.
1800s Winter Outfit – modern vintage photography
1800s Winter Outfit – Modern Vintage Photography Here is a collection of photos showcasing a full-length 1890s black velvet cloak, rabbit fur bonnet, and hand muff—perfect for capturing the elegance and practicality of winter fashion during the...
Turn of the century photos by St. Louis Photographers
Step back in time with this collection of turn-of-the-century photos from St. Louis photographers, including studios like Parsons, When Studios (1893), J. Haas, Theo E. Setzer, and more. These vintage cabinet cards and old photo scans offer a fascinating glimpse into the Victorian and Edwardian eras, capturing the artistry of antique photography and the lives of their subjects. Explore the historical legacy of 19th-century portraiture and the stories these images preserve from a bygone era.
1800s Photos from St. Louis, MO
Discover hauntingly beautiful cabinet card photos from 1800s St. Louis, MO. These vintage images capture everyday life at the turn of the century, featuring mysterious children, First Communion traditions, and an enigmatic girl with a tambourine. Dive into the stories behind these historic photographs and their connection to a rapidly changing city.
More scanned photos from the turn of the century St. Louis Photographers
Discover a selection of turn-of-the-century photographs from St. Louis studios like When Studio, Crescent Studios, and J. Haas. This collection includes a mysterious unmarked photo, formal headshots of young men, and an intriguing bridal portrait featuring a black wedding dress. Explore the history, fashion, and social customs captured in these historic cabinet cards and vintage portrait styles.
1800s baby photos
Here are some baby photos from the 1800s, that were mixed in with an envelop! I don’t think that the baby photo, by St. Louis Photographer Bell Studios, came in the envelop as it’s postmarked from Miss A. Schenkel in Detroit (and sent to Henry Kellogg St. Louis). Whatever correspondence it once contained has been lost. The baby, presumably E..? Warren Kellogg, looks rather crazy in the eyes, giving that unfocused gaze just past the camera.
Pictures of 1800s young ladies and girls
I scanned some new cabinet cards! Here are some pictures of young ladies and children from approximately 1880-1900. These photos are exceptionally clear, and you can make out the texture of the young woman's skirt and hat. In another photo, a young...
Cabinet Cards of Young Men, Children, and Couples
Here are the rest of the 1800s cabinet cards I digitized for the Carondelet Historical Society. I really like the young lady wearing a hat, as shot by Polensky of Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. That photo, of any, gives me some ideas on historical re-creation. The background is so cool, and could probably be made into a photoshop texture or something!
Pictures of Turn of the Century Children and Teenagers
Here are some cabinet cards, post cards, and metal photos of teenagers, children, and young adults from the Victorian Era that I digitized on my scanner yesterday for the Carondelet Historical Society. I am really fascinated with the backs of...
Civil War Pocket Photos
Here are two Civil War era photos that came in small embossed leather covered wooden cases. They look like the size that could easily fit in your pocket, and one has glass on the cover, to show the woman’s portrait thru it. The interior is velvet and elaborately floral embossed metal. I wonder who these people were?
1880s tea gown and going away outfit
I almost forgot that I took these 1800s styled photos, back in 2012. The first dress is an 1880s-ish tea gown, and it was fun enough to take pictures of… but the second dress, with the attached note saying that it was Miss Meroe’s “Going Away Dress”… was just incredible! I wish we’d had a proper corset, but luckily my model Tiffany was petite enough to fit into it….
Chicago World’s Fair – the 1893 Columbian Exposition
The World’s Columbian Exposition was a world’s fair held in Chicago in 1893 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ arrival in the New World in 1492. The centerpiece of the Fair, held in Jackson Park, was a large water pool representing Columbus’ voyage to the New World. These scans are Volume 8 of the pamphlet series, The Dream City: A Portfolio of Photographic Views of the World’s Columbian Exposition. I also bought Volume 10, thinking that this was the St. Louis World’s Fair (the Louisiana Purchase Exposition), but that’s what I get for being on eBay too late at night.
Pinups on billboards, book covers, and record covers.
Here’s an interesting history of pinups in advertising! Showing pictures of billboards from the 1800s-1950s, with a focus on pretty girls in beer advertisements.
The next page shows samples of pretty women used to advertise books and, the latest thing, record album covers. Even classical music “moves off the shelves” faster when an attractive woman is pictured on it!
History of Lingerie advertisements from the 1800s to the 1950s
Here are shown some lingerie and shapewear ads from the 1800s-1950s. The chemise replaced the corset cover by 1918, although shape wear was still worn in the 1920s to achieve that stylish “boyish” form. The inflatable bra of the 1950s replaced the “Victoria” bosom pad of 1879… such changes in lingerie styles and advertisements!
How to Measure for a Victorian Pattern – and The back pages of the 1892 Delineator Fashion Magazine
Whew! Finally done scanning this lengthy Victorian fashion magazine! I broke the spine while scanning it, but atleast now it's all digitally preserved. These last few pages of this magazine include alot of advertisements and illustrations....
Victorian fashion advertisements, household appliance ads, and misc. ads
I'm almost done scanning these last few pages of the 1892 Delineator! At first, I thought it was a catalog, but after reading and digitally preserving my way thru this issue, I can see that it was a fashion magazine... full of advertisements...
Victorian Ads for Burpee’s Seeds, skin bleach creams, typewriters, pianos, and more
Step back in time with these fascinating 1892 magazine scans from The Delineator — a treasure trove of Victorian advertisements! Discover ads for Burpee’s seeds, Modene Hair Removal Cream, LaBlanche Face Powder, typewriters, pianos, magic lanterns, and more. These pages offer a glimpse into the daily lives, societal trends, and technological advancements of the early 1890s. Explore the captivating world of vintage advertising that reflects the charm and innovation of a bygone era.
Victorian beauty advertisements, and other misc ads
Here's some scans from the back pages of The Delineator advertising beauty products, pianos, silverware, oil lamps, manners books, flowers, and washing machines. It's especially interesting to see the illustrated washing machine ad, since I cannot...





















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