Saturday, April 30, 2011

Photo Number 520

This is a Cartes d’ visite  or CdV.  It is from the Antique Shop in Solway, Minnesota.
mr and Mrs mel Porter CdV Solway I learned earlier today that men in the 1860’s and then again in the late 1870’s to early 1880’s buttoned their coats at the very top button only. Of course this is just a general rule to follow. This is not a 1860’s photo.  It fits the early 1880’s much better. During the early 1880’s women wore severe or close fitting dresses, it might have a bustle, lots of buttons in rows, she would wear her hair plain or with curls and usually pulled back away from the face. This couple also looks like they are relaxing in a fine country house, which is typical of photos in the 1880’s.
Mr and mrs Mel Porter CdV back Solway 
This may be Mr and Mrs Mel Porter that had their photo taken by Muma in Alta, Iowa.
Thanks for stopping by, do come again:)

Update on the Photographer:
Charles Muma was my great-grandfather. He was born in Canada in 1847. He got married to my great-grandmother, Pauline Paulson in 1883? in Buena Vista County. They moved on to Holstein, Ida Grove where he had a photography studio. He went on to Canton, South Dakota where he died in 1921.

8 comments:

  1. Interesting tidbit about the coat button. Funny how the size of coat lapels changes through time.

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  2. The photographer appears to be C. Muma on the back - I think he was Charles Muma of nearby Holstein, Ida County, Iowa. He was in the Holstein area from 1885 to 1910.

    The 1900 United States Census, 1900 Charles C. Muma shows he was a photographer, born in 1847, married in 1884 to a woman naemd Lena from Norway. He himself came from "Canada Eng" in 1876.

    Mr. and Mrs. Mel Porter, on the otherhand... are most elusive.

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  3. Looks like a painted backdrop to me. Could have been snapped in the photographer's studio. Did they also offer itinerant ad hoc places for photos? A few rolls of painted backdrops from which the customer could choose, a few chairs, a few little pillars with a statue, or two, and a plant could fit easily into a small truck with the photographic equipment. Could travel to fairs. What other possibilities were there? Thanks for the always interesting photos!

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  4. Very interesting about the men's fashion - did you find that at a website? I know very little about men's fashion and would love to know more!

    Her dress is lovely, I sure wish I could see more of it!

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  5. I have some photos that appear to be from the same photographer, Muma, but they say Kingsley Iowa on them. Does anyone know if this would be the same person. I've looked online but can't find a record of him working in Kingsley or any other photos that say Kingsley. Any help is appreciated

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  6. I did a quick look and didn't see anything about a Muma in Kingsley - however - Kingley is only 30 miles from Holstein, Iowa and about 40 miles from Alta, Iowa. I would think its likely it is the same photographer - some of them did travel a lot.

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  7. Charles Muma was my great-grandfather. He was born in Canada in 1847. He got married to my great-grandmother, Pauline Paulson in 1883? in Buena Vista County. They moved on to Holstein, Ida Grove where he had a photography studio. He went on to Canton, South Dakota where he died in 1921.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for the information about your Grandfather. I will add it to the post:)

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Hi, Thanks for the comments, your input on these old photos is appreciated! English only please! All comments will be moderated! Connie