Cabinet Photo with interesting details

I shared this in a Finds thread on the AB in May. This photo of a family has some interesting details. The woman is holding a photo on her lap; the girl is holding a small pillow; the boy is holding a long stick with a ball on the floor. There is also some interesting jewelry and other accessories.

Photography studio was Müllers Atelier of Pasewalk (which was part of the Kingdom of Prussia then, and is now in Germany).

The file upload didn't work... said it was too large. So I'm using a different version that was used to post to the AB. I can post a larger version if anybody wants to see it.

 

Hi,
Nice family photo. Since the photo the woman is holding is not showing anyone, I think it is a "prop" to keep her hands still during the exposure, the same with the kids. Notice every hand that is exposed is "doing something". Just my thoughts.
greg

 

Thanks, Greg -- When you say it's not showing anyone, I think you mean that she is not holding it up to display the photo? I can see that the photo she is holding is of a person.

Interesting thoughts, and you may be right about that.

 

Here is a cropped version showing all of the things they are holding.

 

Hi Fig,
Yes I meant to say she is not "displaying the persons photo"
greg

 

Klara and Hans and little Elsa are obediently looking stage right from the photographer. But young Ludwig is staring straight at the camera, terror frozen on his face!

The Bogeyman is under that big, black drape!

 

My thoughts exactly, Silver! Stick and ball was something little boys did way back when, but the stylish stick makes me think cameraman's props...

 

I would think... The swagger stick was not a popular affectation in the US.

Thank goodness!

 

Hi,
I do not think fancy stick, looks like a old piece of bamboo cane.
Perhaps Herr is wearing nothing but purple fringed panties under his great coat.
greg

 

>stylish stick makes me think cameraman's props<

My thought also. That stick is way to effeminine to have been used by boys playing stick ball back when. It looks more like a cane switch. That ball sure has a funny pic on it. The pic almost looks like a bull/cow or moose sitting upright with a grandee holding a sword or spear to our left. LOL

--- Susan

 

LOL It looks to me like two guys holding sticks in their right hands and a ball in front of them...BWDIK?

 

The one on the right appears to be a man dressed as a cavalier to me. I guess we all have good imaginations!

 

To me, it looks like two guys on the ball are both in a costume, possibly comic.

I'm wondering if the little pillow the girl is holding is a pincushion? And it looks like the girl is wearing a multi-strand necklace and the boy is wearing a chain. Would that be unusual and just done for the photo?

I like that they're holding things... makes the photo more interesting.

 

I was thinking the chain on the boy might have been unusual, but don't really know.

The things they are holding is the only thing that keeps this from being just a typical family photo.

 

Just thought of what the men on the ball remind me of... court jesters.

 

Perhaps!

 

I think it is most likely that these are personal items.

This is an albumen print, not a tintype. Tintype poses tend to be a little more crass or direct. This photo, with it's superb lighting is obviously leaning more toward the artistic. It was not uncommon to hold an object, the bible being the most common, but just as common to hold nothing. You would have to have a serious case of the shakes to induce the photographer to shove a book in your hands. Besides the lady is holding the photo too delicately to be using it to steady her hands.

I think it is more likely that the photo is of a dear departed relative, but the artistic pose was to hold it in loving memory rather than crudely display it in morbid veneration. The girls cushion is typical of the type of craft taught to girls of that age and I would be sure that she is holding her finest accomplishment. As far as the ball goes, that might be a prop. I have frequently seen boys with toys, so that could in a way be considered an occupational, but it is possibly his favorite toy, or a toy the photographer has around the studio to occupy the kid while he sets up, with the promise that he can play with it as long as when the time comes he becomes perfectly still. It could also be a bribe that they gave the kid prior to the photo session. Or the kid whined "how come mommy gets to take a photo and sissy gets to take her pillow, what do I get to take?" this is a way to engage a kid in a task they never seem to enjoy. Considering that this is a German (I'm 2nd gen) photo, it is possible that the cane is the one the father used when the boy misbehaved (explains the look of terror in his eyes and who wouldn't stand up straighter?).

But I think this stick is typical of a fancy walking stick used by a dandy and would have been the type given to a boy by well to do parents.

I see that the kids are wearing jewelry, and that is unusual. It makes me wonder if these are family heirlooms or some extravagance that nutty aunt Gretchen sent them, and she, of course, is going to get a copy of this photo.

 

Just a couple of observations - the boy's chain is worn like a watch chain, a bit unusual for a boy in short pants, but shows a level of affluence. Since it's an adults chain it looks out of proportion on him. Also, I think the photo has been reversed. Men's coats almost always button left over right. cheers

 

from a 1915 catalog - check out the middle suit on the bottom row.

image source:
http://antiqueimages.blogspot.com/2012/10/free-mens-fashion-illustration-1915.html

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jJbKXjkXTMQ/UGYIETtIh-I/AAAAAAAAEG8/g-fy_NcoRBU/s1600/mensfash005.jpg

 

Thanks to both of you for the observations!