William Abernethy, Belfast

 

Since my last post was from 2026, I thought I'd go back to the 19th century, just for a bit of contrast.  The Abernethy credited as the photographer on the carte de visite, is almost certainly William Abernethy, born in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1864, died 1930.  He opened his first studio in 1886 at the age of 22.   He was very successful and eventually employed a large staff and opened a number of branch studios in the area.  In an advertisement from 1895 he claimed that his studios photographed 18,000 portraits in the previous year.  And lest we forget, that's some wild head of hair.  

The Trio

 

Another true found photograph.  I had to walk to the store this morning, and there it was, in the middle of the sidewalk.  It looks like it's been stepped on a few times.  I'm beginning to think that my fascination with other people's snapshots is entering crazy town.  Oh well, at least I'm not doing any harm to others. 

A Man and His Car

 

Mom, dad, three kids and creepy Uncle Bob in the background.  I have a soft spot for photos like this.  My father was born in 1919, lived through the Great Depression, and served in World War 2.  He was very proud of his cars and always kept them clean and polished. 

Old Cars, Somewhat Out of Focus

 

It looks like some sort of gathering.  Anyway, I have no idea what kind of cars these are, and the picture is too out of focus to do a good match.  I did the first thing I could think of and went online and looked up the Ford Model T.  After all, it was the best-selling car from the era.  I found an ad for Ford cars from 1923, and it could be a match.  

Two Up

 

I just picked this photo up today, and I figured I'd better get it posted as soon as possible.  It's small, really small.  1.25 x 2 inches, and I need to get it into the storage box before I lose it.  Anyway, I don't know what to make of it.  Clearly, it's from before the age of the photo booth.  It could be a contact or reduction print.  I'm not aware of any film this small manufactured in the 19th or very early 20th century. 

Granite Dells

  

 Just because it's so damn hot.  There's a Granite Dells sign in the background.  The Dells is an area near Prescott, Arizona, and yes, it does snow there.  There was a Granite Dells Resort, so it's possible that's what the sign is for.  I could go for a bit of snow, right about now. 

Another Piece of History

 

An attractive young lady standing next to a statue of, I assume, Casimir Pulaski.  Pulaski was a Polish patriot who came to the colonies, joined the revolution and is regarded as the father of the American Calvary.  He was born in 1745 and died, in battle, in 1779.  I looked for photos of memorials to Pulaski, but couldn't find a match.