Take a step back in time with these stunning 1930s wedding photos. Captured by St. Louis photographer J.J. Belka, these portraits reveal timeless elegance during the Great Depression. Learn how hairstyles, like the iconic pin curls, can help date old photos. Discover the fascinating intersection of vintage fashion and history through wedding photography trends of this era.
old photos
A turn of the century Swedish Girl, German turn of the century photos, & random
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.
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.
Turn of the century Children’s photos – from 1906
I found a date on these turn of the century children's and family photos I scanned. On the back of the photo of the young woman in a white dress by St. Louis photographer J. Hass, was written "1906" (which I also scanned). I'm guessing that the...
Old photos in cool old cardboard frames
Discover a collection of old photos preserved in beautiful vintage cardboard frames. One is stamped April 20, 1930, while others appear to date back to the early 1900s, possibly the 1920s or late 19-teens. Learn about cabinet cards, historical photo preservation, and the subtle clues that help date these timeless portraits.
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...
Very formal turn of the century wedding photo, and a random one or 2 from 1914
J. Haas shot a very lovely looking portrait of a young couple, which I am guessing (but not sure) would be around 1908-ish because of her high necked long tulip flared gown and poofed sleeves. Please correct me in the comments if I'm wrong! I am...
Turn of the century photos from Crescent Studios, J. Haas, Setzer, and Parsons of St. Louis Mo
This first old photo of a girl with glasses in a white dress looks really silly. I feel sorry for her! The last picture, which looks like a turn of the century communion photo, also looks very awkward. I appreciate the interesting background that...
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.
History of Photographers in St. Louis
Discover the fascinating history of 19th and early 20th-century photographers in St. Louis through cabinet cards and old photo scans. From Henry Holburn’s “When Art Gallery” to William Schiller’s “Star Gallery,” explore how these studios captured the artistry and legacy of Victorian-era photography. Learn about unique details hidden in these vintage cards and their role in preserving a rich cultural heritage.
Turn of the Century Wedding, couple, and baby photo scans
I’ve been immersed in vintage history lately, scanning stunning cabinet cards and old photos dating from 1880 to 1910 for the Carondelet Historical Society. These remarkable artifacts include wedding portraits, baby photos, and couple pictures, offering a window into St. Louis life at the turn of the century. The intricate fashion details and local studio imprints bring these timeless memories to life, preserving them for generations to come!
Old house and car slides from 1962
These old house and old car slides were in a box dated from 1962. See those flames or wingy things on the old car? Obviously, I don't know much about cars, and would appreciate any hint as to the model of the 60s car in these pictures. [gallery...
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?
Early 1900s band photos street photography
Take a step back in time with these fascinating early 1900s photos of Seymour’s Regiment Band and vivid street scenes. Charles Seymour, a famed conductor and soloist in St. Louis, might have led the band seen posing near a picturesque gazebo. Another snapshot captures the liveliness of an early 20th-century market, while the final image showcases local tradesmen and children in front of John Sydow Tin Shop. These slides, digitized from the 1960s, preserve a glimpse into a rich cultural past
A bakery shop in 1917
These pictures of a bakery shop had the note “c. 1917 or 1918” and the names of the husband and wife who owned it. I think it’s interesting to see how bakery shops were arranged, and there are pictures of the racks and “behind the counter” at this shop.
The evolution of chorus girls and showing skin on stage
These next few pages of old pictures are a history of chorus girls and showing skin on stage, from Can Can girls, to to Mae West, to the Zigfield Follies, and the Rockettes.
Old Pictures of Nuns
Here are 8 pictures of nuns, from approximately the 1930s, and probably from the Carondelet St. Louis Missouri area. These seem relatively candid- in one picture the nuns are eating bread or something, with silly expressions, and in another they're...
A couple in the 1930s, and then again in the 1940s or 1950s
Mary doesn't remember her aunt being very wealthy, and doesn't know if this first couples picture from approximately the 1930s is her wedding photo to her second husband, or was just a special occasion photo. Either way, both of them look rather...





















Get 10% Off Your First Vintage Find
Subscribe to receive a 10% off welcome coupon by email, plus early access to new vintage drops, behind-the-scenes sourcing notes, and scans of the old photos, programs, and paper ephemera I uncover and digitize.
Almost there! Please check your email inbox right now and click the link in our confirmation message to complete your subscription. (If you don't see it, check your spam folder!)