NEWSBOY CABINETS
Written by Mike Reeve
(kartoreeve@gmail.com)
To download a pdf of this click here
Now before the uninitiated have visions of their paperboys hoarding away Chippendale or Sheraton sideboards, we are, in fact, talking about photographs. To be precise photographs mounted on stiff board usually 6" x 4" and known as ‘cabinets’ supposedly because they were often displayed in cabinets. Newsboy cabinets were given away as ‘premiums’, by tobacconists or drug stores, when making a purchase of plug tobacco produced by the National Tobacco Works of New York. This firm was later acquired by the American Tobacco Company. Although precise dates of issue are not known, it is likely they were produced and issued throughout the early 1890’s.
Perhaps because of their size and method of distribution, they do not appear to be widely found or collected within the UK. Details of this issue, is of course, to be found in the World Tobacco Issues Index, though, as this article will show, the information is somewhat limited. Although the World Tobacco Issues Index (WTII) does give a broad indication of the various groupings, there is no checklist of subjects. This is not surprising as although most cards are numbered, there is both a duplication of numbers and subject varieties, making it very complex for the new collector or casual observer.
For the record Part 11 of the World Tobacco Issues Index reads as follows: -
NATIONAL TOBACCO WORKS, Broadway, New York, USA. N238-200
Became branch of American Tobacco Co about 1892. Cards issued about 1890. Premium issues, exchanged for tags or coupons. Pictures mounted on thick board inscribed at base “Newsboy …. New York”, without reference to tobacco. “Newsboy” was a brand of plug tobacco.
CABINET PICTURES (A) Corners rounded. Mostly actresses but including actors, celebrities, and scenes. There are many faded captions and numbers. Ref USA/566-7.
1. Pictures black and white or sepia photos. Size about 165 x 105, Nd.
(1) Number only on photo, number, and caption on mount. Mostly Actors and Actresses, including some Celebrities, Athletes, Baseball.
1. Nos 1/136 Each number with one caption, many with two, three or four pictures of the same subject. “Newsboy – New York” in red on white mounts. About 20 are known unnumbered.
2. Nos 301/385 “Newsboy – New York” in green on grey mount. Back (a) plain (b) with wording in English and Spanish headed “Bliss Long Cut” (c) with wording “Red Indian Cut Plug Tobacco”.
3. Nos 502/604 “Newsboy – New York” in (a) red (b) brown on white mount
4. Nos 800/841 “Newsboy – New York” in red on white mount.
.
(2) Number and caption on photo, not on mount. Nos between 1/227 known, including Actresses, Actors, Views, Warships. “Newsboy – New York” in red on white mount. Same mounts as in (1) used captions covered by photo. In some cases, former captions or numbers are visible but should be disregarded.
2. Coloured halftones. Size about 230 x 150 “Newsboy – New York” in brown (100).
I think you will agree the above details are quite complex and I hope by the conclusion of this article to identify and simplify the main groupings, hopefully to the benefit of other collectors or the interested observer.
Almost by accident I acquired a batch of these cards some years ago and was immediately impressed by the strong images, size and stoutness of board and the challenge of the series. Before long I became a victim of ‘stealth collecting’ as I was blissfully unaware of the number of photos I was acquiring. Eventually I had to decide whether to call a halt or to specialise in this series, which in effect became a long-term research project. I have now acquired or seen sufficient examples of “Newsboys” to be able to classify them into possibly more user- friendly groupings. More importantly a workable checklist of subjects has evolved which, although far from complete, will enable other collectors to compare their cards and hopefully fill in the gaps as well as spotting the inevitable errors, which will have crept in.
Working on a volume basis, 3 main groupings and 4 minor groupings have emerged (setting aside the known set of 100 coloured half tones 230 x 150).
As a rule of thumb, there are four key things to look for when attempting to classify Newsboy cabinets viz.
(1) Is the subject title in upper or lower case?
(2) Position of subject title-on mount or photo
(3) Colour and number of frame lines
(4) Position of number on the mount
Now to business: The first and the most confusing group, has the subject title. in upper case and always on the mount. The photo will be numbered but this may be on the mount, or the photo itself, or both. If on the mount, it will usually be on the left-hand side. The word Newsboy will be in red, also on the left-hand side of the mount and the words NEW YORK also in red but on the right hand side of mount and in capitals. The size and style of the word Newsboy can vary in the manner of the words ‘Guinea Gold’ (British series issued by Ogden’s) but in the interests of my eyesight and sanity I have not attempted to classify the many variations, which probably exist. The backs of the cards were intended to be blank but isolated examples will be found where enterprising retailers have put their own advertising on the back.
The highest number in the first grouping in the WTII is 136 (William McKinley for the record) and, unlike the other, groupings which follow, is the highest number I have come across. (Martin Murray has a variety of card 108 numbered 198, which may be some sort of printing anomaly). It should have been a relatively straightforward task to compile a subject checklist, however, as the WTII indicates, many numbers have different pictures of the same subject. The WTII records up to 4 different pictures but so far I have found two numbers with 6 different pictures and two others with 5. If this occurred for every number, the total for this grouping would be staggering, well 816 cabinets actually. And, of course, we do not know if six is indeed the maximum.
It is open to conjecture whether the compiler of the series worked to an organised plan or responded to the popularity of the subject or output from the photographer involved.
I suspect the series evolved on a random basis, rather than a deliberate pre-planned marketing exercise.
These cabinet photos are sometimes described as ‘albumen photographs’, which refers to the photographic process prevalent at the time.
The abbreviations used when describing the ‘pose’ of the subject follow the Guinea Gold Reference Book i.e., F refers to ‘full length’, H/S-Head/Shoulders etc, etc.
.
Several identical subjects can be found in the various groups, and I have endeavoured to provide a cross reference with the corresponding number in brackets after the subject’s name. (NB the letters UC & LC after the ref. Number, indicate Upper/Lower Case, i.e., groups 1 & 3. Some UC examples may also have a further number after a ‘forward slash’ to indicate which ‘picture variety’ is involved.
Subjects noted in New York Public Library are identified by initials NYPL after title.
UPDATES TO WEBSITE 1st March 2023 New subjects/portraits/variety/corrections indicated by * in front of number.
No |
SUBJECT |
1st POSE |
2ND |
3RD |
1 |
ISABELLE URQUHART (U/N) |
F, HALF LYING |
F, R ARM RAISED |
F, L HAND TO CHIN |
1 |
-do- |
F FACING R DRAWING SWORD |
|
|
2 |
FANNY DAVENPORT |
F, R ARM RAISED |
H/S, FACING R (29LC) (Also variety ‘FANNIE’) |
|
3 |
FAY TEMPLETON |
F, FACING R.HAT |
|
|
4 |
LILLIAN RUSSELL |
˝ L FACING FRT |
H/S, WIDE BRIM HAT |
H/S, LOOKING R HANDS AT NECK |
4 |
- do - |
ľ L SITTING, FACING CAMERA, NECKLACE |
|
|
5 |
PATTI |
˝ L FACING L |
|
|
6 |
RHEA |
F, HANDS TO CHIN |
ľ L LOOKING TO R SEATED |
|
7 |
MARY ANDERSON |
H/S, FEATHER HAT (100LC) |
ľ L R ARM RAISED |
H/S, FACING FRT |
8 |
AGNES EVANS |
F, SITTING ON STOOL (502) |
H/S, FACING L |
F, LEANING ON TREE |
8 |
- do – (4/5/6 pose) |
F, LH TO HEAD FEET CROSSED |
F, LH TO HEAD LOOKING UP LACE UP BOOTS |
ľ L HANDS ON HIPS |
9 |
ANNIE SUMERVILLE |
F, RT ARM RAISED |
F, HOLDING HORN (531) |
|
*10 |
ISABELLE IRVING |
ľ L SITTING (U/N) |
|
(Plus numbered) |
11 |
JENNIE McNULTY |
F, SITTING ON CHAIR ARM |
(Plus variety – JENNIE MCNULTY) |
|
12 |
SYLVIA GERRISH |
F, STANDING R ARM RAISED (803) (543) |
F, HEAD TO L, HAT |
|
*13 |
JENNIE JOYCE |
F, HEAD BOWED (514) (U/N) (plus, unnumbered |
F, PLUS FOURS, SMILING, HAT IN R/ HAND ((552) (P63) |
F, LEANING ON TREE R HAND ON HEAD |
14 |
AMANDA FABRIS AS ERMINIE |
F, HOLDING BOUQUET |
|
|
15 |
MARION MANOLA |
F, STG LH ON SWORD FACING L |
STG LH ON SWORD FACING R (71LC) (U/N) |
F, SITTING ON CHAIR HOLDING MANDOLIN |
16 |
ALICE EVANS |
F, HOLDING BASKET (524)
|
ľ L, LARGE HAT HOLDING SPRAY |
|
17 |
CAROLINE MISKELL |
F, SITTING ON STOOL |
F, CHAIR/FOWERS (544) |
|
18 |
BEATRICE CAMERON
|
F, BALLET POSE RH HOLDING OUT SKIRT |
|
* BESSIE CLAYTON (Same Portrait) also Number 18 |
19 |
BLANCH WALSH |
F, STG THIGH BOOTS ((143LC) (815) (* plus variety BLANCHE WALSH) |
F, RH RAISED |
|
20 |
SADIE KIRBY |
F, HANDS ON HIPS |
|
|
21 |
ANNA BOYD |
F, SEATED MORTAR BOARD |
F, HAT.HOLDING CAPE (U/N) |
F, HOLDING UP VEIL |
21 |
- do - (4/5 pose) |
F, WHITE HAT LOOKING R, LH RAISED BY CHEST |
F, BY WALL.STOOL BY FEET |
, |
22 |
IRENE VERONA |
F, DRAWING SWORD |
F, FEET CROSSED |
|
23 |
IDA MULLE |
F, SITTING.BIRD CAGE |
F, BOW & ARROW |
|
24 |
ANNIE PIXLEY |
F, STG HAT IN LH (519) (U/N) (NB also seen with printed advert on reverse for THE RACKET, Edina, MO) |
F, STG BY TREE |
ľ L RH TOUCHING HAT |
25 |
MME DE GILLERT
|
F, SITTING IN BALLET COSTUME, LEGS CROSSED) (539) |
F, STANDING ON RLEG LOOKING R |
|
26 |
JULIA CALHOUN |
F, HOLDING LUTE |
|
|
27 |
MINNIE PALMER |
F, SITTING, CAP (81LC)
|
|
|
28 |
EVA BARTHOLDI |
HANDSTAND ON GLASS
|
|
|
29 |
LOUISE EISSING |
F, STRIPED SHORTS |
F, R ARM RAISED (Also variety LOUISE ESSING) |
|
30 |
MARGARETTA CUTTER |
F, FOOT ON CHAIR |
F, SITTING ON CHAIR (Also variety MARGAETTA CUTTING) |
|
31 |
M’LLE NAYA |
F, HAT & CAPE (Plus, variety MLLE NAYA) |
|
|
32 |
FANNIE RICE |
F, TUTU WITH SHAWL |
FANNIE RICE AS GALATIA. STANDING ON PEDESTAL |
|
33 |
BELLE ARCHER |
F, STANDING ON BENCH (5LC) (527) |
F, SITTING SMOKING (535) |
|
34 |
MINNIE HAUK |
F, FACING FRT.TREE (54LC) |
|
|
35 |
HATTIE HARVEY |
F, SITTING ON CHAIR |
|
|
36 |
MADGE LESSING |
F, SITTING BONNET |
|
|
37 |
JENNIE DICKERSON |
F, DAGGER IN BELT |
|
|
38 |
CAMILLE D’ARVILLE |
F, SITTING, TAMBOURINE |
F, STANDING ARMS FOLDED (P22) |
(plus, varieties for both GAMILLE |
|
|
|
|
D’ARVILLE) |
39 |
MAUDE WALTERMERE |
F, STANDING BARE ARMS |
|
|
40 |
LILY ELTON |
F, SITTING ON SWING |
|
|
41 |
LOTTIE COLLINS TA. RA. RA. BOOM. DE. AYE |
F, HOLDING OUT SKIRT |
(Ta- ra- ra- Boom- de- Aye) NB The above refers to a variety in lower case. |
|
42 |
JUNIORI VALAREZ |
F, RT FOOT ON CHAIR |
|
|
43 |
HARRIETT VERNON |
F, HANDS HOLDING CAPE |
F, RIGHT HAND ON HIP |
F, HOLDING SWORD |
44 |
OTERO |
F, LOOKING LEFT VERY LONG HAIR |
|
|
45 |
MARIE DANTES |
F, SITTING ON CHAIR |
|
|
46 |
DELLA FOX |
F, R HAND HOLDING HAT |
F, HAT, ARMS FOLDED (P41) (43LC) |
H/S, HAT LOOKING UP |
46 |
DELLA FOX |
F TROUSER SUIT, R ARM ON R KNEE, FOOT ON BENCH |
HS, NO HAT, LOOKING L (45LC) |
F HAT SALUTING FEET CROSSED |
47 |
ESTELLE CLAYTON |
F, LYING ON SIDE |
H/S, LONG HAIR, LOOKING UP |
|
48 |
LILLIAN ELMORE |
F, LOOKING RIGHT, RH ON HIP |
|
|
49 |
FANNIE WARD |
F, FACING FRONT, SITTING ON PILLAR |
F, DRAWING SWORD |
|
50 |
ANNA MANTELL |
F, STANDING, FACING L, RH ON POT |
F, HOLDING LYRE |
|
51 |
LOTTIE GILSON |
F, BY WALL, HANDS TOUCHING WALL |
|
|
52 |
KATE STOKES |
ľ L, SNAKE ARMBANDS |
|
|
53 |
CORINNE |
ľ L, HANDS TO HAT |
F, HOLDING MANDOLIN |
ľ L, WHITE HAT |
54 |
NINA FARRINGTON MISS FARRINGTON |
F, DRAWING SWORD |
-DITTO- (DIFF. TITLE) |
|
55 |
FRANCIS WILSON |
F, SITTING, HANDS CLASPING R KNEE |
|
|
56 |
GRACIE WILSON |
F, HANDS ON HIPS, CLOAK |
|
|
57 |
MISS MARION |
F, HOLDING BOW AND ARROW |
|
|
58 |
ETHEL LYNN |
F, BOTH HANDS RAISED |
|
|
59 |
ROBERT G INGERSOL |
H/S, FACING RIGHT (199LC) |
|
|
60 |
ELEANOR MAYO |
H/S, SHOULDERS BARE |
|
|
61 |
MME ROLLA |
H/S ROSES AT BUST |
|
|
62 |
SANDERSON
|
H/S FACING L |
|
|
63 |
MISS WALTERS |
FL, RH ON hip, ROBINSON CRUSOE COSTUME |
|
|
64 |
MISS HOWELL |
ľ L, SITTING, HAT, FERNS |
|
|
65 |
MARIE BURROUGHS |
F, SITTING ON CHAIR FACING |
|
|
|
|
CAMERA |
|
|
66 |
GRACE SHERWOOD |
F HOLDING PARASOL, LEANING ON TREE |
F, PARASOL ON R SHOULDER |
|
67 |
ANNIE SUTHERLAND |
F SWORD IN R HAND (536) (P99) |
|
|
68 |
ADA REHAN |
˝ L LOOKING LEFT, NECKLACE (86LC) |
|
|
69 |
MRS LANGTRY |
˝ L SITTING FACING L |
|
|
70 |
JESSIE BARTLETTDAVIS |
F ARMS FOLDED, CAPE |
|
|
71 |
ISABELLE COE |
F ‘TWO HEADS’ |
|
|
72 |
J J CORBETT |
F BOXING STANCE |
H/S FACING LEFT (LC23) |
|
73 |
PETER JACKSON |
F BOXING STANCE |
|
|
74 |
ALICE VIVIAN |
F PLAYING LUTE |
|
|
75 |
VIOLA CLIFTON |
F, RH ON MUSICAL INSTRUMENT |
|
|
76 |
LOUISE MONTAGUE |
F, ARMS FOLDED (U/N) |
F, LEANING ON WALL (U/N) |
|
77 |
GERALDINE McCANN |
F, HAT, FACING FRONT |
F, RH ON HIP, HAT, TUNIC (U/N) (Also variety GERALDINE MCCANN) |
FL STANDING ON LADDER |
78 |
URBANASKA |
F, SITTING LOOKING L, R HAND RAISED |
|
|
79 |
FLO HENDERSON |
F, IN FRONT OF WALL, L HAND HOLDING HAT |
|
|
80 |
MOLLIE FULLER |
F, L HAND TO MOUTH, HAT, TIGHTS. |
|
|
81 |
ELISA SARACCO |
F, LEANING, ARMS FOLDED |
F, L HAND ON HIP |
|
82 |
BEATRICE CAMERON |
F, L HAND ON SWORD |
|
|
83 |
PAULINE HALL |
F, HANDS ON HIPS (P25) |
ľL NECK CHOKER HANDS CLASPED (56LC) |
|
84 |
JOSIE GREGORY |
ľL, HANDS BEHIND HEAD |
|
|
85 |
FANNY RUTHERFORD |
F, ˝ SITTING ON STEPS |
|
|
86 |
LYLA KAVENAUGH |
F, R LEG ON WALL (511) |
|
|
87 |
LILLIAN GRUBB |
F, PEASANT COSTUME LEANING ON TABLE, PLAQUE BY L FOOT |
|
|
88 |
CATHERINE GREY |
ľL HANDS IN POCKETS (53LC) |
|
|
89 |
LEVY SISTERS |
3 SISTERS STANDING (P28) |
|
|
90 |
LOIS ARNOLD
|
F, HANDS RAISED |
|
|
91 |
EDNA WALLACE MRS DE WOLFHOPPER |
F, WHITE DRESS (55LC) |
|
|
92 |
JULIA MARLOW |
˝ L FACING LEFT (70LC) |
|
|
93 |
DE WOLF HOPPER |
F, FACING EACH |
|
|
|
AND DELLA FOX |
OTHER |
|
|
94 |
|
|
|
|
95 |
|
|
|
|
96 |
|
|
|
|
97 |
|
|
|
|
98 |
MODJESKA |
ľL SITING ON CHAIR |
|
|
99 |
MISS BAYLEY |
F, HANDS BEHIND BACK |
|
|
100 |
ISABELL EVERSSON |
H/S LOOKING TO R |
|
|
101 |
MISS CONYERS |
F, HANDS HOLDING OUT CAPE |
|
|
102 |
BROWNE WELLS |
F, FACING L, HANDS ON HIPS |
|
|
103 |
KITTY CHEATHAM |
F, HOLDING OUT APRON (25LC) |
|
|
104 |
IDA BELL |
F, L HAND HOLDING OUT SKIRT, WEARING HAT |
|
|
105 |
JOSEPH JEFFERSON |
˝ L, LOOKING AT CAMERA (60LC) |
|
|
106 |
TONY PASTOR |
F, L HAND HOLDING WATCH CHAIN |
|
|
107 |
ROBERT MANTEL |
ľ L, WEARING DINNER SUIT |
|
|
*108 |
LAWRENCE BARRETT |
ľ L, GLOVE ON L HAND (10LC) (also 198) |
|
|
109 |
HOPE BOOTH |
H/S LOOKING AT CAMERA, L HAND TO FACE |
˝ L, UNSMILING, LEANING ON PILLAR (P75) |
H/S, SMILING, L HAND TO FACE |
109 |
- do- |
H/S FACING CAMERA, UNSMILING |
|
|
110 |
ADELE PURVIS ONRI |
F, SITTING ON BENCH |
F, STANDING ON GLOBE, ARMS RAISED |
|
111 |
PAULA EDWARDES |
H/S BARE NECK |
|
|
112 |
NETTIE BLACK |
F, FOATING VEIL |
|
*Also seen with GLADYS WALLIS crossed out. |
113 |
NAT GOODWIN |
H/S, HIGH COLLAR (50LC) |
|
|
114 |
HELEN BERTRAM |
ľ L, ARMS FOLDED, SWORD |
ľ L, HAT & FEATHERS |
F, R ARM RAISED |
115 |
LEO CAMPBELL |
F, SITTING, BARE FEET (P56) |
|
|
116 |
EFFIE CHAPPIE |
F, R ARM RAISED, MANDOLIN |
F, STANDING, LH ON HIP, RH HOLDING STAVE |
|
117 |
INEZ L’ORMA |
F, CAPE, L LEG RAISED |
|
|
118 |
LULU GLASER |
F, HANDS HOLDING SHAWL |
HS, FACING R. FLORAL H’DPIECE |
|
119 |
FORA FINLAYSON |
F, RH/RL RAISED |
|
|
120 |
FRANCES EVERETT |
F, L HAND/LEG RAISED (Also variety FRANCIS EVERETT) |
|
|
121 |
GRACE GOLDEN |
F, RH HOLDING SWORD |
|
|
122 |
BOULLARD |
F, KNEELING, |
|
|
|
|
HANDS OUTSTRETCHED |
|
|
123 |
ANNA SEIDLE |
F, TIGHTS, RH TO CHIN |
|
|
124 |
CHRISTINE BLESSING |
F, HOLDING BOW |
|
|
125 |
BESSIE CLEVELAND |
F, LOOKING RIGHT, HAT, SWORD, LH ON HIP |
|
|
126 |
INEZ RAE |
F, R LEG ON STOOL, HOLDING LEAF OR FAN |
|
|
127 |
HELEN VINCENT |
F, SITTING, BLACK STOCKINGS |
|
|
128 |
CLARA BELL |
H/S DIRECTLY FACING CAMERA |
|
|
129 |
M DALY VOKES |
H/S, FUR COLLAR |
|
|
130 |
ROSITA WORRELL |
F/L, SITTING, RH TOUCHING BOATER, LEGS CROSSED |
|
|
131 |
MINNIE PACKARD |
F, KNEE ON TILTED CHAIR |
|
|
132 |
STARA KIMBALL |
F, SITTING ON BACK OF CHAIR |
|
|
133 |
WARD AND VOKES |
2 MEN H/S, ONE FACING LEFT OTHER FRONT |
|
|
134 |
CLARA QUALITZ |
F, BALLET POSE ARMS OUTSTRETCHED |
|
|
135 |
YOLANDE WALLACE |
F, LEANING ON PILLAR, RH HOLDING SPRAY |
|
|
136 |
WLLIAM McKINLEY |
H/S, PORTRAIT, FACING LEFT |
H/S PORTRAIT FACING RIGHT |
|
198 |
LAWRENCE BARRETT |
ľ FACING L, HAT IN L HAND (UC108) |
|
|
Number on mount and photo Number on photo only
The next group is easy to identify, having the words Newsboy/New York printed in green on a greyish board. The photo itself is mounted within a double set of frame lines, also printed in green. The inner frame line is thinner than the outer. I believe.
(But am open to correction) the technical term for these photographic prints is ‘gelatin silver process. Arguably this process results in a sharper, more defined end product than with all the other groupings and may account for the slightly higher prices when sold.
The photos are numbered on the mount, and apart from one example (306 on RH side), always in the centre. The photo may also bear the number, either on the right- or left-hand sides. The printing of the words New York can also vary (see illustrations below). Most examples will be in block capitals i.e., the usual version but occasionally in a smaller stylised version beginning with a capital letter, the remainder in lower case. Examples of the same number in either version have been seen.
New York – stylised version New York – block version
A great number of the subjects in this grouping were taken by the renowned New York society photographer Benjamin J Falk and his copyright wording often appears on the mount beginning with the year 1888 through to 1894 though it is likely this grouping would have been issued after these dates. Mr Falk also had his copyright stamped on the photo in the manner of a cartouche.
For the collector possibly the most interesting feature of this grouping is that an advertisement can sometimes be found on the reverse of the photo but only in a very small minority of the specimens I have seen. The WTII describes two examples (in addition to the usual plain back) (see (b) (c) in WTII description on page 1 above) but a couple more have come to light viz (d) FREE! A 5c Package of Chewing Gum …
(e) Tom Hood cigars are made from imported HAVANA TOBACCOS.
(d) (e)
One strange feature, for which I have no explanation, but which I have found is common to almost all photos with an advertisement on the reverse, is that the image is in sepia or brown, as opposed to the usual black and white.
It is not clear whether each number can be found with an advertisement back, but as those photos with an advertisement are very much in the minority, I think not.
The numbering of this group commences with 301, and to date the highest I have come across is 390. Until recently I was convinced there was only one subject for each number but recently, I came across *four numbers with two entirely different subjects, (308/309/319/360 – see index). I can offer no explanation, as the names and numbers are clearly printed on the mount thus discounting the possibility of the wrong photo being attached.
NO |
SUBJECT |
1ST & 3rd ADVERT BACK |
2ND ADVERT BACK |
NOTES |
*301 |
MADGE ALPHABET |
|
RED INDIAN/FRENCH |
|
302 |
QUEENIE VASSAR |
BLISS LONG CUT |
RED INDIAN/ FRENCH |
FALK 92 |
303 |
SYLVIA GERRISH |
|
|
|
304 |
EMMA EAMES |
BLISS LONG CUT |
RED INDIAN/FRENCH |
FALK 92 |
305 |
PAULINE HALL |
BLISS LONG CUT |
RED INDIAN/FRENCH |
FALK 92 |
306 |
MARIE JANSEN |
BLISS LONG CUT |
|
FALK 92 & 93 |
307 |
JENNIE JOYCE |
|
RED INDIAN/FRENCH |
|
308 |
DELLA FOX |
|
|
FALK 94 |
*308 |
JENNIE JOYCE |
|
|
|
*309 |
MARIE TEMPEST |
|
RED INDIAN/FRENCH |
FALK 91 |
309 |
LILLIAN RUSSELL |
|
RED INDIAN/FRENCH |
FALK 93 |
310 |
ROSE COGHLAN |
|
|
|
311 |
MARIE TEMPEST |
BLISS LONG CUT |
|
FALK 91 |
312 |
PAULINE HALL |
|
|
|
313 |
SANDOW |
5c CHEWING GUM (3rd advert back) |
RED INDIAN/FRENCH |
FALK 94 |
314 |
JENNIE JOYCE |
BLISS LONG CUT |
RED INDIAN/FRENCH |
FALK 91 |
315 |
JESSIE BRADBURY |
|
|
FALK 94 |
316 |
ALICE JOHNSON |
|
|
|
317 |
LYLA KAVENAUGH |
|
|
|
318 |
JULIA MARLOWE |
|
RED INDIAN/FRENCH |
FALK 92 |
319 |
JENNIE JOYCE |
|
|
|
319 |
DELLA FOX |
|
RED INDIAN/FRENCH |
|
320 |
ANNIE SUTHERLAND |
HAVANA TOBACCOS (4th advert back) |
|
|
*321 |
ANNIE PIXLEY |
|
RED INDIAN/FRENCH |
|
322 |
JESSIE BRADBURY |
|
RED INDIAN/FRENCH |
FALK 94 |
*323 |
FRANCES EVERETT |
BLISS LONG CUT |
|
|
324 |
LYLA KAVENAUGH |
|
|
FALK 93 |
325 |
JESSIE BARTLETT-DAVIS |
|
|
|
326 |
SYLVIA GERRISH |
|
|
|
327 |
LITTLE EGYPT |
|
|
|
328 |
FANNIE WARD |
|
|
|
329 |
FRANCES EVERETT |
|
RED INDIAN/FRENCH |
FALK 91 |
330 |
EDWIN BOOTH |
|
RED INDIAN/FRENCH |
FALK 89 |
331 |
NESTA NEILSON |
5c CHEWING GUM (3rd advert back) |
|
|
332 |
LILLIAN RUSSELL |
5c CHEWING GUM (3rd advert back) |
|
FALK 93 |
333 |
BUFFALO BILL |
5c CHEWING GUM (3rd advert back) |
|
|
334 |
MODJESKA |
|
RED INDIAN/FRENCH |
FALK ‘89 |
*335 |
M’LLE NAYA |
5c CHEWING GUM (3rd advert
back) BLISS LONG CUT |
|
|
336 |
MARIE JANSEN |
BLISS LONG CUT |
|
FALK 88 |
337 |
FANNIE WARD |
|
|
|
338 |
ANNIE SUTHERLAND |
|
|
|
*339 |
MADGE ALPHABET |
BLISS LONG CUT |
|
|
340 |
LILLIAN RUSSELL |
|
RED INDIAN/FRENCH |
FALK 93 |
*341 |
BELLE ARCHER |
BLISS LONG CUT |
RED INDIAN/FRENCH |
FALK 91 |
342 |
CAROLINE MISKELL |
|
|
|
343 |
DALLAS TYLER |
|
|
FALK 94 |
344 |
DAVID B HILL |
|
|
|
345 |
GROVER CLEVELAND |
|
|
FALK 92 |
346 |
JULIA MARLOWE |
|
|
FALK 94 |
347 |
J.J. CORBETT |
|
|
|
348 |
TROJA |
|
|
FALK 94 |
*349 |
CISSY FITZGERALD |
5c CHEWING GUM (3rd advert back) |
|
FALK 94 |
350 |
AMY BUSBY |
|
|
FALK 94 |
351 |
MARIE SHOTWELL |
BLISS LONG CUT |
|
FALK 93 |
352 |
EMMA EAMES |
BLISS LONG CUT |
|
FALK 92 |
353 |
JUNIORI VALAREZ |
|
RED INDIAN/FRENCH |
FALK 94 |
354 |
HATTIE HARVEY |
BLISS LONG CUT |
|
FALK 93 |
355 |
DELLA FOX |
|
RED INDIAN/FRENCH |
FALK 94 |
356 |
|
|
|
|
357 |
AMY BUSBY |
|
|
FALK 94 |
358 |
|
|
|
|
359 |
MARIE TEMPEST |
|
|
|
*360 |
KATHERINE GREY (same subject/same number also seen H/S wearing hat with lace veil) |
|
|
FALK 94 |
361 |
LILLIAN RUSSELL |
|
|
|
*362 |
ALICE EVANS |
|
RED INDIAN/FRENCH |
|
363 |
EFFIE SHANNON |
|
|
|
364 |
LULU GLASER |
|
|
FALK 93 |
365 |
EDNA WALLACE-HOPPER |
|
|
|
366 |
|
|
|
|
*367 |
JOSEPH JEFFERSON |
|
|
FALK 84 |
368 |
LILLIAN BLAUVELT |
|
|
|
369 |
|
|
|
|
370 |
|
|
|
|
371 |
THOMAS A. EDISON |
|
RED INDIAN/FRENCH |
|
372 |
THOMAS P. OCHILTREE |
|
|
|
373 |
ROBERT G INGERSOL |
|
|
|
374 |
WILLIAM MULDOON |
|
|
|
375 |
REV. C.H. PARKHURST |
|
|
|
376 |
WALTER Q. GRESHAM |
|
RED INDIAN/FRENCH |
|
*377 |
REV. T. DE WITT TALMAGE |
|
RED INDIAN FRENCH |
FALK 92 |
378 |
DELLA FOX |
|
|
FALK 94 |
379 |
HATTIE HARVEY |
|
RED INDIAN/FRENCH |
|
380 |
MARIE FLOYD |
|
|
|
381 |
DELLA FOX |
|
|
FALK 94 |
382 |
JOSEPH JEFFERSON |
|
|
|
383 |
CAROLINE MISKELL |
|
|
|
384 |
BLANCHE WALSH |
|
|
FALK 93 |
385 |
LORRAINE DREUX |
|
|
|
*386 |
EUGENE SANDOW |
|
|
|
387 |
EUGENIE TABER |
5c CHEWING GUM (3rd advert back) |
|
|
388 |
EMMA EAMES |
|
|
|
389 |
MARIE BURROUGHS |
|
|
|
390 |
DELLA FOX |
|
|
|
The third of the three major groupings of Newsboy cabinets have the same numbering as the first grouping, and in consequence, if referred to by number alone, can easily be confused with that group.
The words Newsboy and NEW YORK are in red, and the photo is within a single red frame line. The main difference involves the subject caption, which is in lower case and always on the photograph as is the number. (NB a very few exceptions occur on photos depicting objects e.g., buildings or scenes where examples have been seen in both upper and lower case) The captions are often very faint, printed either in brown or white thus often fading into the background.
*Unlike the complexities of the first grouping, each number has a unique picture but as stated the numbering is the same i.e., commences with number 1, with the highest recorded number at 1065 (but see note re. 1376) However as can be seen there are huge gaps in the numbering from 233 upwards for which I have no explanation other than the possibility of a ‘master’ numbering series used by multiple studios but principally NEWSBOY.
Arguably this is the most interesting of the three groupings for, in addition to the vast numbers of theatrical subjects which predominate groups one and two, it includes several views, buildings, bridges, warships and sportsmen, the most sought after, being, of course, the ten baseball subjects.
Little is known of the production of these ‘cabinets’ but they were obviously mass produced in view of the numbers and variable quality. The mounts were printed with the photos being pasted on sometimes leaving traces of glue around the edges of the photo. Mention is made in the WTII of known examples with trace of a different name on the mount compared with the name on the photo. I suspect that the first issue was in fact the first grouping where the subject name was printed on the mount and the appropriate photo added. Later, when preparing the third grouping, spare mounts from the first grouping were used, relying upon the operative to cover up the name on the mount if it differed from the subject photo being used.
(NB Letters NYPL in brackets after subject’s name indicate image seen on New York
Public Library website) (Photos of USN ships have been seen issued by photographer NIBLOT with identical numbering to Newsboy)
No |
SUBJECT/TITLE |
No |
SUBJECT TITLE |
1 |
Maude Adams |
126 |
? Vesta Tilley |
2 |
|
127 |
Louise Grans |
3 |
|
128 |
Allie Gilbert |
4 |
|
129 |
Henry Irving |
5 |
Belle Archer (33UC/1) (527) |
130 |
DeWolf Hopper |
6 |
Mary Anderson |
131 |
Bernhard Stavenhagen |
7 |
|
132 |
Dr A Conan Doyle |
8 |
Christine Blessing |
133 |
Wilson Barrett |
9 |
Amy Busby (NYPL) |
134 |
H. Beerbohm Tree |
10 |
Lawrence Barrett (108UC) |
135 |
Augustus Cook |
11 |
|
136 |
Joseph Jefferson |
12 |
Helen Bertram (114UC/2) |
137 |
Joseph Jefferson |
13 |
Hope Booth (109UC/2) |
138 |
Edwin Booth |
14 |
Marie Burroughs |
139 |
Newark USN |
15 |
Carmencita |
140 |
Yolande Wallace |
16 |
Miss Cayvan |
141 |
Lillian Russell |
17 |
Kate Castleton |
142 |
Miss Cissie Loftus |
*18 |
? Gilbert |
143 |
Blanche Walsh (19UC) |
19 |
Minnie Cornellara? |
144 |
Caroline Miskel |
20 |
Corinne |
145 |
Atlanta USN |
21 |
Estelle Clayton |
*146 |
CASTLE GARDENS & BAY N.Y. (also in lower case) |
22 |
Corinne |
147 |
Brooklyn Bridge N. Y. |
23 |
J.J. Corbett |
148 |
Brooklyn Bridge N.Y. |
24 |
J.J. Corbett (72UC/2) |
149 |
Brooklyn Bridge N.Y. |
25 |
Kitty Cheatham (103UC) |
150 |
Brooklyn Bridge |
26 |
Bessie Clayton |
151 |
Chauncey M Depew |
27 |
Camille D’Arville (horizontal) |
152 |
Mrs Kendall |
28 |
Zellie De Lussan |
153 |
Camille D’Arville |
29 |
Fannie Davenport (2UC/2) |
154 |
Sadie Martinot |
30 |
Jesse Bartlett Davis |
155 |
Louise Thorndyke Bouicault |
31 |
Fannie Davenport (2UC/1) |
156 |
Dorothy Dene |
32 |
|
157 |
|
33 |
Annie Russell (NYPL) |
158 |
Herbert Keleey |
34 |
Camille D’Arville |
159 |
Robt.C Hilliard |
35 |
Emma Eames |
160 |
Cissy Fitzgerald |
36 |
Lily Elton |
161 |
Cissy Fitzgerald |
37 |
Frances Everett (120UC) (NYPL) |
162 |
W.H. Crane |
38 |
Agnes Evans |
163 |
Viola Allen |
39 |
|
164 |
Henry Miller |
40 |
Katherine Florence (Two portraits, one looking L & one looking at camera) |
165 |
William Faversham |
41 |
Mollie Fuller |
166 |
Amy Busby (NYPL) |
42 |
|
167 |
Mary Hampton |
43 |
Della Fox (46UC/2) |
168 |
E.C. Bald |
44 |
Della Fox |
169 |
Raymond Macdonald |
45 |
Della Fox (46UC/5) |
170 |
Mark Twain (seen on Emma Eames mount) |
46 |
Nina Farrington |
171 |
Rev C.H. Parkhurst (by Napoleon Sarony N.Y. copyright 1892 (seen on Robert Mantel mount) |
47 |
Mollie Fuller |
172 |
Grover Cleveland |
48 |
|
173 |
Della Fox |
49 |
Jennie Goldthwaite |
174 |
W H Murphy |
50 |
Nat Goodwin (113UC) |
175 |
Amos Rusie |
51 |
Lottie Gilson |
176 |
Michael Tiernan |
52 |
Lulu Glaser |
177 |
E.D. Burke |
53 |
Catherine Grey (88UC) |
178 |
J.J. Doyle |
54 |
Minnie Hauk (34UC) |
179 |
W.B. Fuller |
55 |
De Wolf Hopper & Della Fox(93UC) |
180 |
Geo Van Halfran |
56 |
Pauline Hall (83UC/2) |
181? |
Dave Foutz |
57 |
Edna Wallace Hopper |
182 |
Jouett Mekin |
58 |
? Miss Marie Jansen |
183 |
? Griffin |
59 |
Emma Juch |
184 |
|
60 |
Joseph Jefferson (105UC) |
185 |
|
61 |
|
186 |
Maud Haslam |
62 |
|
187 |
William Gillette |
63 |
Jennie Joyce |
188 |
Selma Rawston |
64 |
Kathryn Kidder |
189 |
May Robson |
65 |
Levy Sisters |
190 |
Vesta Tilley |
66 |
Madge Lessing |
191 |
Pudd’nhead Wilson |
67 |
|
192 |
Melba |
68 |
Mrs Langtry (also seen as Lily Langtry- NYPL) |
193 |
Calve |
69 |
Modjeska |
194 |
Emma Eames |
70 |
Julia Marlow (92UC) |
195 |
Agnes Miller |
71 |
Marion Manola (15UC/2) (also seen with printed back for TOM HOOD CIGARS) |
196 |
Lackye |
72 |
|
197 |
Richard Mansfield |
73 |
Wm McKinley |
198 |
E.J. Ratcliffe |
*74 |
Eleanor Mayo |
199 |
Robert G Ingersol (59UC) |
75 |
Robert Mantel |
*200 |
Paula Edwardes (111UC) |
76 |
Miss Mather |
201 |
W.H. ‘Dad’ Clark |
77 |
Caroline Miskel E |
202 |
Parke Wilson |
78 |
Ada Dare |
203 |
Virginia Harned |
79 |
Otero |
204 |
San Francisco USN |
80 |
Tony Pastor (NYPL) |
205 |
Charleston USN |
81 |
Minnie Palmer (27UC) |
206 |
Bancroft USN |
82 |
Ida Rock, Alice Branson, Geraldine McCann. |
207 |
Philadelphia USN |
83 |
Rhea |
208 |
Concord USN |
84 |
Lillian Russell |
209 |
Dolphin USN |
85 |
Annie Russell |
210 |
Miantonomoh (only seen |
|
|
|
photographer NIBLOT) |
86 |
Ada Rehan (68UC) |
211 |
Baltimore USN |
87 |
Effie Shannon |
212 |
Chicago |
88 |
Lillian Russell |
213 |
Vesuvius USN |
89 |
Ellen Terry |
214 |
Statue of La Fayette, Madison Square N.Y. |
90 |
Juniori Valarez (NYPL) |
215 |
Bunker Hill Monument Boston |
91 |
Amy Busby |
216 |
The Twin Falls Shoshone River |
92 |
Francis Wilson (NYPL) |
217 |
City Hall N Y |
93 |
…………….…Harlem R.NY. |
218 |
Washington Bridge 181st St & Harlem |
94 |
|
219 |
Zoological Gardens, New York |
95 |
PRESIDENTIAL MANSION Washington DC (also seen in ‘lower case’) |
220 |
High Bridge & Water Tower N Y |
96 |
STATUE OF LIBERTY N.Y. (also seen in ‘Lower case’) |
221 |
The Capitol Washington DC |
*97 |
The Terrace, Central Park N.Y. (also seen in upper case) |
222 |
Bathing scene at Coney Island |
98 |
Sandow |
223 |
New York Bay Battery Park Gardens Governors Island etc |
99 |
Sandow |
224 |
David B Hill |
100 |
Mary Anderson (7UC) |
225 |
Buffalo Bill |
*101 |
Bankey Geo |
226 |
R P Gibbs as Geekern Trilby Photo by Elmer Chickering Boston. By permission of A M Palmer |
102 |
Agnes Evans (506) |
227 |
William Lackaye as Svengali and Virginia Harned as Trilby. Photo by Chickering. By permission, A M Palmer |
103 |
John S Johnson |
228 |
Alfred Hickman as Little Billy Trilby |
104 |
L.S Meinyes |
229 |
John Glendenning as the laird in Trilby Photo by E C Chickering by permission of A M Palmer |
105 |
Agnes Miller |
230 |
Three Musketeers of The Brush Copyright by E Chickering Boston 95 By Permission of A M Palmer |
106 |
W. Sanger |
231 |
……Brady…. Billie…Copyright by E Chickering Boston 95 |
107 |
Grace Sherwood (66 UC/2) |
232 |
William Lackaye as Svengali in Trilby |
108 |
Leo F Taylor |
233 |
“Trilby” By permission of A M Palmer Copyright by E Chickering 95 |
109 |
Fannie Ward |
234 |
|
110 |
Yolande Wallace |
235 |
|
111 |
H.C. Wheeler |
247 |
Inez Rae |
|
|
*252? |
Virginia
Earl |
|
|
*255 |
Camille D’Arville |
112 |
A A Zimmerman |
266 |
Yolande Wallace |
|
|
*270? |
Louise Eissing |
|
|
308 |
“CITY HALL etc FROM NORTH BROAD STREET.PHILA” |
113 |
Olga Nethersole |
379 |
Camille D’Arville |
114 |
Marie Wainwright |
453 |
Pearl Eytinge |
115 |
Cora Urquhart Potter |
473 |
Jessie Carlisle |
116 |
Minnie Seligman |
481 |
Charles Dana |
117 |
Walter James |
511 |
Lillian Elmore |
|
|
*530 |
Clara Palmer |
|
|
565 |
Adele Purvis Onri |
118 |
Jas Powers |
587 |
Miss Mignon |
119 |
Fannie Johnson |
589 |
Vera ……. |
120 |
Nina Farrington |
595 |
Miss Ridgway |
121 |
Fannie Johnson |
608 |
May Robson |
122 |
Cissy Fitzgerald |
664 |
Brig Gen Slocum |
123 |
Ada Rehan |
691 |
Gen Lew Wallace |
124 |
The Foundling (U/N) |
738 |
Dorothy Morton |
125 |
Isabel Irving |
782 |
Yollande Wallace |
|
|
806 |
Julia Marlowe |
|
|
815 |
Edith Craske |
|
|
824 |
Andrew Mack |
|
|
832 |
Miss Marion |
|
|
847 |
Agnes Evans |
|
|
850? |
Bessie Cleveland |
|
|
853 |
Helen Bartram |
|
|
878 |
Charity Ball |
|
|
900 |
Kilanyi’s Living Pictures |
|
|
901 |
Kate Uart |
|
|
907 |
Lillian Russell |
|
|
923 |
Andrew Mack |
|
|
*924 |
Andrew Mack |
|
|
*929? |
Miss Knapp |
|
|
942 |
Amelia Summerville as ‘Trilby’ |
|
|
947 |
Max Alvary |
|
|
952. |
US Post Office Department Washington D.C. |
|
|
954 |
US War Navy and State Departments Washington DC |
|
|
957 |
Agricultural department Washington |
|
|
966 |
Bob Fitzsimmons |
|
|
967 |
Scene in Central Park |
|
|
970 |
Obelisk NY Central Park |
|
|
981 |
Marie Tempest |
|
|
987 |
Gen. Adlai Stevenson. |
|
|
982 |
Cissy Fitzgerald |
|
|
992 |
Chas H Hopper as ‘Chirmmic Fadden’ |
|
|
999 |
Dorothy Morton |
|
|
1065 |
John L Sullivan |
|
|
1376 |
Atlanta and Fleet N. River NY Copyright... (only seen photographer NIBLOT) |
Photo with caption in lower case
As a rough estimate, I would say the first three groups would account for 90% of the Newsboy cabinets I have seen. This brings us to the remaining five groups, which are much smaller and in two cases contain less than a handful of cards.
Cards in these subsequent groupings can be recognised by the number and its relative position on the mount, the colour of the wording and number of frame lines.
The fourth and largest of the remaining groups could be entitled the ‘500’ series as most of the numbers are in the 500’s, the lowest I have seen being 501. The most obvious feature of this grouping is the double frame line that encloses the photo. The frame lines are of different thickness, the inner line being narrower than the outer. They may also be coloured either red or purple/brown as are the words Newsboy, NEW YORK, the number, and name of subject.
The cabinets are numbered either centrally or on the right- hand side of the mount.
Curiously, where a number appears on the photo the ‘500’ part is sometimes missing so number 502 on the mount becomes just 2 on the photo. The same subjects would appear to be available in either ‘red’ or ‘purple/brown printings. Identical subjects can be found in either group one or three. I believe all the photos are printed using the
‘albumen’ process.
The backs are blank and the highest number I have seen is 604 (Della Fox). As with the third group, the subject’s name is in lower case.
500 |
|
553 |
Alice Johnson |
501 |
Edna Wallace Hopper |
554 |
Kittie Connors |
502 |
Agnes Evans (8UC/1) |
555 |
Juno Burbank |
503 |
Agnes Evans (819) |
556 |
Juno Burbank |
504 |
Agnes Evans |
557 |
Helen Brockett |
505 |
Agnes Evans |
558 |
Mittie Atherton |
506 |
Agnes Evans (LC102) |
559 |
Paula Edwards |
507 |
Agnes Evans |
560 |
Paula Edwards |
508 |
M’lle Naya |
561 |
Kittie Connors |
509 |
Della Fox |
562 |
Paula Edwards |
510 |
Blanche Walsh |
563 |
|
511 |
Lyla Kavenaugh (86UC) |
564 |
Alice Johnson |
512 |
Jennie Dickerson |
*565 |
Marie Burroughs |
513 |
Mrs E M Howell (64UC) |
566 |
Effie Shannon |
514 |
Jennie Joyce (13UC/1) |
567 |
Gladdis Wallace |
515 |
Alice Vivian |
568 |
Troja |
516 |
Corinne |
569 |
|
517 |
Annie Myers |
570 |
|
518 |
Maude Waldemere |
571 |
Alice Johnson |
519 |
Annie Pixley (24UC/1) |
572 |
Adele Ritchie |
520 |
Kate Stokes |
573 |
|
521 |
Fannie Ward |
574 |
Mary Mills |
522 |
Anna Mantell |
575 |
Mary Mills |
523 |
Lily Elton |
576 |
Blanche Walsh |
524 |
Alice Evans (16UC/1) |
577 |
Theresa Vaughn |
525 |
Julia Calhoun |
578 |
|
526 |
Sadie Kirby |
579 |
Juno Burbank |
527 |
Belle Archer (33UC/1) (5LC) |
580 |
James G Blaine |
528 |
Eleanora Mayo |
581 |
Gen Adlai E Stevenson |
529 |
Nellie Urbanska |
582 |
H Rider Haggard |
530 |
Anna Mantel |
583 |
Sandow |
531 |
Annie Sutherland (9UC/2) |
584 |
Wm F. Harrity |
532 |
Madge Lessing |
585 |
Henry Watterson |
533 |
Jennie McNulty |
586 |
John M. Ward Capt. New York BB Club |
534 |
Anna Boyd |
587 |
John M. Ward Capt. New York BB Club |
535 |
Belle Archer (53UC/2) |
588 |
Chauncey M Depew |
536 |
Annie Sutherland (67UC) (P99) |
589 |
|
537 |
Caroline Miskel |
590 |
|
538 |
Marie Tempest |
591 |
|
539 |
Theodora de Gillert (25UC/1) |
592 |
Isabel Evason |
540 |
Lillian Russell |
*(593 |
Alice Evans |
541 |
Isabella Irving |
594 |
Edna Wallace |
542 |
Caroline Miskel |
595 |
? Loie Arnold |
543 |
Sylvia Gerrisch(12UC/1 )(803) |
596 |
Mabel Montgomery |
544 |
Caroline Miskel (17UC/2) |
597 |
|
545 |
Agnes Evans |
598 |
|
546 |
Fanny Ward |
599 |
Mrs A Potter |
547 |
Fanny Ward |
600 |
Ada Rehan |
548 |
Jessie Bartlett-Davis (P49) |
601 |
Loie Fuller |
549 |
Anna Robinson |
602 |
Della Fox |
550 |
Duchess of Leinster |
603 |
Della Fox |
551 |
Lillian Russell |
604 |
Della Fox (46UC/3) |
552 |
Jennie Joyce (13UC/2) (P63) |
|
|
*556? |
Margaret
Reid |
|
|
Number on right of mount Number in centre of mount
The fifth group is quite small and for convenience I will call it the ‘800’ series. I have recorded 33 cards beginning with 800 (HATTIE HARVEY) ending with 841 (Sadie Martinot). The sharp-eyed among you will have noted the first card has the subject name in upper case, the other in lower. This appears to be the only group where the subject names can appear in either Upper or Lower case. Both the wording and frame line, which is single, are in red. The cards are numbered on the photo itself and the mount, either centrally or on the right hand side.
No |
SUBJECT/TITLE |
No |
SUBJECT/TITLE |
800 |
HATTIE HARVEY |
832 |
*Miss Marion |
801 |
HATTIE HARVEY |
833 |
|
802 |
Pauline Hall (NYPL) |
834 |
Belle Archer |
803 |
SYLVIA GERRISH (12UC/1) |
835 |
|
804 |
LORRAINE DREUX |
836 |
THEO |
805 |
ANNIE SUTHERLAND |
837 |
Troja |
806 |
ISABELLE IRVING |
838 |
Belle Archer |
807 |
ISABELLE IRQUHART |
839 |
|
808 |
ALLIE VIVIAN |
840 |
|
809 |
MAUDE WALDEMERE |
841 |
Sadie Martinot |
*810 |
Anna Mantell |
842 |
|
811 |
MARIE BURROUGHS (P59) |
843 |
|
812 |
FANNIE WARD |
844 |
|
813 |
|
845 |
|
814 |
ANNIE PIXLEY |
846 |
|
815 |
Blanche Walsh (19UC)/1) (143LC) |
|
|
816 |
CAROLINE MISKELL |
|
|
817 |
AGNES EVANS (ALSO GLADYS
WALLIS |
|
|
818 |
AGNES EVANS |
850 |
|
819 |
AGNES EVANS (503) |
851 |
|
820 |
ANNA BOYD |
852 |
|
821 |
Alice Evans (actual picture Agnes Evans) |
853 |
|
822 |
Agnes Evans |
854 |
|
823 |
Agnes Evans |
855 |
|
824 |
Lulu Glaser (NYPL) |
856 |
|
825 |
ANNA MANTEL |
857 |
|
826 |
JULIA CALHOUN |
858 |
|
827 |
|
859 |
|
828 |
ANNA BOYD |
860 |
|
829 |
Jessie Bartlett Davis |
861 |
|
830 |
ISABELLE IRVING |
862 |
|
831 |
MISS CHAPPY (also seen as FRANCIS EVERITT) |
863 |
|
|
|
|
|
“800” example
- -
“900” example
The sixth group also comprises (so far) only six cards, numbers 4,8,14,17, (see example below)38, and 48. These photos may be distinguished from any other group in that the subject name is in lower case AND the number is on the right-hand side of the mount. A very faint number appears on the photo near the bottom on the right hand side. Newsboy & NEW YORK are in the usual format. The single frame line is in red.
No |
SUBJECT/TITLE |
No |
SUBJECT/TITLE |
4 |
Agnes
Evans |
17 |
Annie
Myers |
*8 |
Mlle Naya |
38 |
Marie
Tempest |
14 |
Jennie Joyce |
*48 |
Jessie Bartlett Davis |
The last and final grouping, group 7, might be entitled the unnumbered group, comprising cabinets with or without subject titles. The probability is that they all have a corresponding card within one or other of the ‘numbered card’ groupings. Features common to all cards are that the words Newsboy/NEW YORK and the single frame line are all printed in red. When shown, the subject name is printed on the mount in upper case (except for scenes, plays etc).
UNNUMBERED SUBJECTS (Where known other Groups #s in brackets)
|
The Foundling (124LC) |
MARION MANOLA (15UC) |
IRENE VERONA |
MRS LANGTRY (69UC) |
MRS JAMES BROWN-POTTER |
ELISA SARACCO |
MARY ANDERSON |
ISABELLE URQUHART (1UC) |
LILLIAN RUSSELL (4UC) |
GLADYS WALLACE |
ANNA MANTELL |
“The Terrace” Central Park N.Y. (97LC) |
LITTLE EGYPT |
ANNA BOYD |
MINNIE DUPRE |
AMANDA FABRIS (as Ermine) |
JMcNULTY |
MISS PALISER |
PATTI |
ANNIE PIXLEY |
EDITH POND |
RHEA |
MARGATHE REID |
MINNIE SELIGMAN |
MISS SANDERSON |
LOUISE MONTAGUE (76UC) |
Carmencita (15LC) NB this card is in fact minus a title but is same image as 15 |
OLIVE BERKLEY |
RUBY ST QUINTEN |
*PETER
JACKSON |
|
Unnumbered example Campbell example
Without wishing to muddy the waters further, mention should be made of Campbell cabinets, which are identical to Newsboy cabinets often featuring the same subjects (see above). They can often be mistaken for Newsboys and sometimes are offered for sale at the same time.
Interest is undoubtedly growing in Newsboys as they have a wide appeal to the many varied collecting interests whether it be photography, cartophily, opera, the theatre and early music hall to the many sports fans.
In conclusion, there is one final grouping although it can be more properly described as a ‘set’, in that 100 numbered cards were issued. These are known as ‘Premium’ cards and described as coloured halftones, measuring around 230 x 150 mms. As stated, the series is numbered from 1 to 100. To my knowledge, no subject index has been published and although my listing is far from complete hopefully other collectors can fill in the gaps. There is very little to add other than to confirm all the text including numbers and frame line are printed in brown. The subject’s name is in upper case. Some cards bear the words ‘Copyright 1892 (1893) N. Sarony’ in small printing just beneath the frame line. This feature is like photographs found in the second group taken by Benjamin Falk. Napoleon Sarony was possibly the best-known Society photographer in New York at this period and he issued hundreds of ‘cabinets’ on a commercial basis to the public. Many of these are identical to Tobacco War subjects.
The ‘cards’ have plain backs except as noted earlier, cards can often be found with a retailer’s stamp added to the reverse. These ‘premiums’ are quite scarce and difficult to get hold of in good condition as the edges tend to get damaged. Many of the subjects can be found in one or other of the cabinet series especially the first and again cross reference numbers (indicated by letters UC/LC) are shown where applicable. Although in a different pose many subjects are duplicated with three or four versions.
No |
NAME |
No |
NAME |
1 |
FLORA IRWIN |
51 |
|
2 |
LILLIAN RUSSELL |
52 |
MISS HARVEY |
3 |
MARIE TEMPEST |
53 |
ISABELLE ERVING |
4 |
|
54 |
JULIA CALHOUN |
5 |
LILLIAN RUSSELL |
55 |
|
6 |
DORA LESLIE |
56 |
LEO CAMPBELL (115UC) |
7 |
DOROTHY DENNING |
57 |
KATE UART |
8 |
AGNES REILLY |
58 |
ALICE JOHNSON |
9 |
ELEANOR MAYO |
59 |
MARIE BURROUGHS (811) |
10 |
MRS CLEVELAND |
60 |
LORRAINE DREUX |
11 |
EILEEN KARL |
61 |
LOLA YBERRI |
12 |
EILEEN KARL |
62 |
HARRIET VERNON |
13 |
|
63 |
JENNY JOYCE (13UC/2)(552) |
14 |
MARIE TEMPEST |
64 |
CORINNE |
15 |
AGNES HUNTINGTON |
65 |
MARTHA IRMLA |
16 |
ELSIE GREY |
66 |
ADA REHAN |
17 |
AGNES REILLY |
67 |
|
18 |
FANNY WARD |
68 |
ADELE PURVIS ONRI |
19 |
MARIE TEMPEST |
69 |
DOROTHY DENNING |
20 |
MARIE TEMPEST |
70 |
|
21 |
YOLANDE WALLACE |
71 |
ADA REHAN |
22 |
CAMILLE D’ARVILLE (38UC/2) |
72 |
EDNA WALLACE HOPPER |
23 |
|
73 |
|
24 |
|
74 |
ELISA SAROCCO |
25 |
PAULINE HALL (83UC/1) |
75 |
HOPE BOOTH (109UC/2) |
26 |
L MONTAGUE |
76 |
|
27 |
MRS BROWN POTTER |
77 |
DOROTHY DENE |
28 |
LEVY SISTERS (89UC) |
78 |
ELEANOR MAYO |
29 |
ISABELLE EVASON |
79 |
ANNIE PIXLEY |
30 |
DELLA FOX |
80 |
AGNES EVANS |
31 |
DOROTHY DENNING |
81 |
|
32 |
ELSIE GREY |
82 |
|
33 |
|
83 |
MISS E R SELWICK |
34 |
|
84 |
|
35 |
|
85 |
|
36 |
DIXEY |
86 |
|
37 |
JULIA MARLOWE |
87 |
|
38 |
FRANKIE KEMBLE |
88 |
FRANKIE KEMBLE |
39 |
|
89 |
CLARA LIPMANN |
40 |
MARIE TEMPEST |
90 |
|
41 |
DELLA FOX (46UC/2) |
91 |
|
42 |
MARIE BURROUGHS |
92` |
MISS DARE |
43 |
NANETTE COMSTOCK |
93 |
|
44 |
GRACE HENDERSON |
94 |
ELSIE GREY |
45 |
MADELINE SHIRLEY |
95 |
OLIVE BERKLEY |
46 |
ALICE EVANS |
96 |
SADIE MARTINOT |
47 |
SILVIA GERRISH |
97 |
THERESA VAUGHN |
48 |
FANNY WARD |
98 |
LYLA CAVENAUGH |
49 |
JESSIE BARTLETT DAVIS (543) |
99 |
ANNIE SUTHERLAND (67UC) (536) |
50 |
ISABELLE IRVING |
100 |
SILVIA GERRISH |
Example with Sarony copyright Example without copyright
So, there you have it, as someone once said. If the eyesight is not quite as good as it once was and photographs appeal the Newsboy series can be quite attractive, not to mention a challenge if the ’bug’ takes hold.
May I thank the staff of the British Museum for helping me access the Edward Wharton Tigar collection, which sourced several additional subjects and varieties.
A special vote of thanks to Martin Murray who not only crossed checked his collection, adding another large batch of subjects, but made several timely corrections to my draft.
To give an idea as to the scope and variety of Newsboys a further selection of cabinets is illustrated – try and identify the groupings for yourself!
If you have found this article of interest the writer would be pleased to receive any further background information on Newsboys, their production, distribution, and collection. Hopefully with help from other collectors the many gaps in the indices can be filled in and any corrections implemented.
And finally, who was AGNES EVANS? Judging by the number of
times she features on Newsboy cabinets she must have been extremely popular in
her day.
Atlanta USN LOTTIE COLLINS Sandow
THOMAS A EDISON Yolande Wallace Joseph Jefferson
‘Scene from Trilby’ Cissy Fitzgerald HATTIE HARVEY
City Hall NY Brooklyn Bridge NY