Antique Cabinet Card of a Bearded Gentleman | Aufrecht Studio, Allegheny PA c. 1885-1895
$18.00
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Vintage Condition
Every piece here is pre-loved and often decades old, so expect gentle signs of age and use, like light scratches, softened plating or finish, small marks, or patina. That's part of each piece's history and charm, and nothing will look fresh off a showroom floor.
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Antique Cabinet Card of a Bearded Gentleman | Aufrecht Studio, Allegheny PA c. 1885-1895
$18.00
That beard took years of commitment, and he wanted it on record.
This is an antique Victorian cabinet card portrait of a gentleman with a magnificent full beard, neatly parted hair and a steady, serious gaze. He wears a dark suit with a high white collar and patterned tie, and the image fades softly into a vignette around his shoulders, a popular studio style of the day.
It was taken by the Aufrecht studio, whose script signature and "Extra Finish" mark are printed on the front mount with Allegheny, Pa. The back is a beauty: a large illustrated studio advertisement with flowing ribbons, prize medals, a draped easel and an artist's palette giving the address, 68 Federal St., Allegheny, Pa. At the bottom is the studio's notice that duplicates had to be ordered within one month, after which the glass plate would be destroyed or could be bought for 25 cents. The negative number 2217 is written in by hand, and someone later penciled "about 1890" in the corner.
Allegheny was its own city until it was annexed by Pittsburgh in 1907, so this card is a little piece of a city that no longer exists. Federal Street is on Pittsburgh's North Side today.
- Material: photographic print mounted on printed card stock
- Era: c. 1885 to 1895, based on the mount style, clothing and the penciled note
- Studio: Aufrecht, Photographer, 68 Federal St., Allegheny, Pennsylvania
- Subject: bearded gentleman; unidentified
- Size: about 4.25" x 6.5" (standard cabinet card; please see ruler photo)
Condition
Age toning throughout, with scattered spots and foxing on the print and mount. There is a water stain along the left side of the image and some mottled staining in the background above his head. The mount shows edge and corner wear, including a worn spot at the lower right corner. The back has the handwritten pencil notes and light toning. Honest wear for a photograph around 130 years old.
Only one available. There was only ever one of this beard.
Styling props shown in photos are not included.