Viennese man with a bold mustache
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What it is:
Carte de visite (CDV) photo measuring approx. 2.5 x 4.25 inches.
What I know about it:
Photographer is Sigmund Bing of Vienna, Austria. Otherwise undated and unidentified.
Comments:
Here’s another man from Vienna with glorious facial hair. It’s curious how much care he puts into growing and grooming his mustache when the rest of his hair seems to be such an afterthought. It’s also interesting that he has chosen to let the mustache operate solo without support from a beard or sideburns. I’m intrigued by the pin on his lapel, and wonder if it signifies something. (By the way, the discoloration on the other lapel is just damage to the photo.)
Pics of Then 
I had the same thought; apart from his moustache he doesn’t seem to have put my effort into his hair. Good find.
Thanks!
So endearing: he seems terrified of the process. Trying really hard to be *something*, you know? As though he’s just started a business or moved somewhere or inherited some money. He wants to be seen a certain way, and he’s mortified that it, whatever It is, won’t come across.
Is it just me? Do I always want motivation from your sitter?
Yes. 😉
It’s not just you. 🙂
Wait, I know this one. Moved somewhere to follow his fortune. Is not doing as well as he’d hoped, but he *has* to get the people back home to be proud and awe-inspired. This photo has to prove something to them. That’s why the meticulous ‘stache and teenage eyes.
What do you think, Matt?
I think you could be right. I’m glad you mentioned the “teenage eyes”. As I look at his face, if I mentally remove the mustache, he looks rather young (not a teenager, mind you, but a bit greener than the mustache implies).
Woo-hoo! I have tache envy.
LOL! It’s understandable. 🙂