Figure 1.--This American photo postcard is undated, but HBC would estimate it at about 1910. By that date these large collar blouses were going out of style for boys. Notice that there are no matching wrist ruffles.

Collecting Old Photographs

Collecting old photographs is rapidly becoming a popular pastime. It is a fascinating hobby that can be pursued at relatively low cost. Many quite old photographs can be obtained a little cost. Unlike some antique collecting, it is a hobby that can be pursued rather inexpensivly. The advent of on-line auction houses like E-Bay have made it very easy to find photographs for one collectiin without spending a lot of times at antique shows and flea markets going through photographs of little interest. There are many different types of old photographs. Some old photographs like deguereotypes can be rather expensive. Many other old pgotographs can be relatively inexpensive. Old photographs like carte de viste and cabinent cards, often over 100 years old, can cost only a few dollars. Some collectors especially like stereoscope cards.

Themes

All of the old photographs show historic clothing styles in great detail--everything, but color. Many collectors specialize in activities like musical instruments, bicicles, sports, dancing, ect. School and scout photographs are also very popular. Other like certain clothing styles such as sailor suits, Fauntleroy suits, kilts, knickers, ect. Some are interested in hair styles. Another popular theme are the artifacts in the photographs like toys, dolls, teddy bears, ect. Many like mother and daughter and father and sons pairs or visea versa. Many also like photographs with pets, especially dogs and cats. Others like to pursue specific time periods. Some of the most popular are the Civil War 1860s, Gay 1890s, Roaring 1920s, the Depression 1930s, and the War 1940s. Photographs from even more recent periods are becoming popular, like the Hippy 1960s, or the Flaky 1970s. There are many more specialties than can be pursued with old photograph collecting. Whatever ones interests, it is possible to build a fasinating collection at little cost.

Types of Photographs

Those interested in collecting old photographs may want to review the different types of photographs which in the 19th century were the different types of portraits.

HBC Store

We have just begun to list some of our photographs for sale. The price of the photograph varies as to the type, date, subject, condition, and other factors. The shipping and handling for each photograph is $1.00 within the United States and Canada and $1.50 overseas. We have tried to assess our images as accurately as possible, but we can not guarantee the accuracy of our assessment. Just let us know if you have any questions about these images. We have provided links to the area of HBC where these images are discussed for those cllectors interested in more background informations.

Image PCA-0001

• PCA-0001: This divided back AZO photo postcard was probably taken about 1910 in America. It is a studio portrait of a boy about 10-years old with his new baby brother or sister. The boy wears a fancy blouse with a hugh eye-let lace collar and small bow. The baby wears the long gowns often worn by infants at the time. As it is a photo postcard rather than a cabinent card, we do not know where in America the portrait was taken. The card is in excellent condition. It is not postally used and there is no message on the back. The card is developed in a sepia tone. Price: US$15.00.
  
  

  Image PCA-0002

  
  
  
  
  
• PCA-0002: This divided back AZO photo postcard was probably taken about 1915 in America. It is a studio portrait of a little girl about 6-7 years old posing on a sturdy chair. She wears a plain white Russian blouse belted tunic. The tunic was quite similar to tunics worn by boys at the time. The most salient feature of the photograph is a huge colored hair bow. The black and white photography of the day does not reveal the color, but it could be red given the deep grey tone. The girl also wears white socks and twin strap sandals. As it is a photo postcard rather than a cabinent card, we do not know where in America the portrait was taken. The card is in excellent condition, althogh developed a little on the light side. It is not postally used and there is no message on the back. The card is developed in a sepia tone. Price: US$15.00.
  
  
  
  
  

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[Tunics] [Smocks] [Pinafores]

Created: April 17, 2002
Last updated: April 17, 2002