A boy and a man in Binghamton, New York
By: usermattw
Tags: antiques, Binghamton, photography
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What it is:
Two cabinet cards, each measuring 4.25 x 6.5 inches.
What I know about it:
Photographer for both is French of Binghamton, New York. (The fancy monogram in the middle should be comprised of the photographer’s initials, but I’m having a hard time sorting them out.) Otherwise undated and unidentified.
Comments:
As always, it’s interesting to take two similar photos and compare and contrast. I don’t know if these guys are related, but it seems like a definite possibility. Both photos came from the same eBay lot years ago, and while there were plenty of seemingly random photos, there were a number from Binghamton. Comparing them, I noticed that French’s photography studio was located at 82 Court Street, a photographer named Gilmore was located at 80 Court Street, one named Murphy was located at 120 Court Street, and one called Evans was located at 48 & 50 Court Street. That’s a lot of competition in one small area!
Pics of Then 
Their features are similar enough that I am guessing father and son. Same style of dress too, although the backdrops are different and perhaps they were given or choice or maybe I’m just all wet.
I was thinking father and son was a good possibility. I assume they were given a choice of backdrops, though the chair and the curtain to the left are the same. The other one I have from French’s photo studio has a different border for the card, and a different overall look to the setting, though the chair is the same.
Hi Matt
Seeing you re-start your blog has inspired me to do a post. Thanks for “liking” it. Hoping it will not be another three months before the next one!
I was happy to see another one of yours, and I’m honored to know that I helped inspire it. It can be a challenge to keep up a blog, because life keeps getting in the way, but it’s nice to know that others notice.
I see an F and a J in the monogram, plus a third letter that may be either C or E. But there’s an odd descender on the lower right that I can’t attach to any letter.
Thanks, Paul! Yes, I couldn’t tell if that was supposed to be a C or an E, and a J or an I. But I think those are on the right track.
I do not see enough difference to think it is another back drop. The palm is the same, the curtain rings are the same and in the same place, the panel behind them between them and chair is the same with darker and lighter sections just behind their heads. There is a object on the light side of area that differs because of the heights of the two males the only differences I see are the drape shadow is larger above the chair in the older man, his picture is slightly darker and the camera is closer. I believe the chair and the drape behind it are props the other is all painted backdrop.
Yes, I completely agree. (Sorry if my post implied otherwise.) I think it’s pretty obvious that it’s two different people getting their pictures taken in the same studio set (real chair and drape, painted backdrop). My only question was what, if any, was the connection between the two people. I think it’s always fun to recognize the same setting in two of my photos.