I collect photographs dating from the 1840s to the 1940s. I am drawn to these images as irreplaceable and almost magical glimpses into our collective history, time capsules of past moments preserved only on fragile glass and paper. These are not for sale. I’ve digitally imaged them here to increase the chance of their survival and to share them with others who may enjoy them as well. I’m not an expert, but I’ve identified people, places, and ages of the images to the best of my ability based on occasional notes on the backs, paper and printing, and on the contents of the images.

- Robert Beauford

 

1900-1910 Photographs

Photograph of 1900 to 1910 Office, based on circa 1900 telephone. There are chalk boards on the left wall, but this is not a classroom. All of the documents and books are different, there is a medical symbol on the back wall, and a safe at the righ

Photograph of 1900 to 1910 Office, based on circa 1900 telephone. There are chalk boards on the left wall, but this is not a classroom. All of the documents and books are different, there is a medical symbol on the back wall, and a safe at the right edge of the image.

Circa 1900 telephone, detail from 1900 to 1910 office photograph.

Circa 1900 telephone, detail from 1900 to 1910 office photograph.

November 8, 1910 photograph, probably of school students with a teacher. There are several unusual things about this image. Nearly all of the children are smiling. Most have hats and all have shoes and clothes in reasonably good repair. Some of the

November 8, 1910 photograph, probably of school students with a teacher. There are several unusual things about this image. Nearly all of the children are smiling. Most have hats and all have shoes and clothes in reasonably good repair. Some of the clothes are quite fancy for such an image, and under magnification, the taller girl to the right of center appears to be holding a pencil. This was printed on an AZO 'real photo postcard' with reverse printing consistent with the period 1904-1918.

1900 to 1910 photograph of an elderly woman and young girl riding in a horse-drawn carriage. The woman holds the reins with a casual familiarity. This is an albumin print on cabinet card sized photo paper mounted on a larger card with an embossed o

1900 to 1910 photograph of an elderly woman and young girl riding in a horse-drawn carriage. The woman holds the reins with a casual familiarity. This is an albumin print on cabinet card sized photo paper mounted on a larger card with an embossed ornamental rim. Both the front and back of the card are tinted a dark brown. It is currently 7 1/4 by 5 1/2 inches, though it is trimmed on all edges. My best guess based on the albumin print, mounting card, and clothing would be late 1890s. A note on the back says "Grandma Basham and granddaughter Etha(?) Leak the horse old nickle," and in another hand, "Grandpa and grandma were married in 1852, moved to their old place 1879." A marriage in 1852 suggests a birth year as recent as 1832, which would necessitate a date of the photo after 1900 to accommodate her age (she is older than 68).