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 1^st March 2023 New subjects/portraits/variety/corrections indicated by * in front of number.

No	SUBJECT	1^st 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	½ L FACING FRT	H/S, WIDE BRIM HAT	H/S, LOOKING R HANDS AT NECK
4	- do -	¾ L SITTING, FACING CAMERA, NECKLACE
5	PATTI	½ L FACING L
6	RHEA	F, HANDS TO CHIN	¾ L LOOKING TO R SEATED
7	MARY ANDERSON	H/S, FEATHER HAT (100LC)	¾ 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	¾ L HANDS ON HIPS
9	ANNIE SUMERVILLE	F, RT ARM RAISED	F, HOLDING HORN (531)
*10	ISABELLE IRVING	¾ 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)	¾ 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	¾ 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	¾ L, SNAKE ARMBANDS
53	CORINNE	¾ L, HANDS TO HAT	F, HOLDING MANDOLIN	¾ 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	¾ 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	½ L LOOKING LEFT, NECKLACE (86LC)
69	MRS LANGTRY	½ 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)	¾L NECK CHOKER HANDS CLASPED (56LC)
84	JOSIE GREGORY	¾L, HANDS BEHIND HEAD
85	FANNY RUTHERFORD	F, ½ 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	¾L 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	½ L FACING LEFT (70LC)
93	DE WOLF HOPPER	F, FACING EACH

	AND DELLA FOX	OTHER
94
95
96
97
98	MODJESKA	¾L 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	½ L, LOOKING AT CAMERA (60LC)
106	TONY PASTOR	F, L HAND HOLDING WATCH CHAIN
107	ROBERT MANTEL	¾ L, WEARING DINNER SUIT
*108	LAWRENCE BARRETT	¾ L, GLOVE ON L HAND (10LC) (also 198)
109	HOPE BOOTH	H/S LOOKING AT CAMERA, L HAND TO FACE	½ 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	¾ L, ARMS FOLDED, SWORD	¾ 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	¾ 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	1^ST & 3rdADVERT BACK	2^ND 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 (3^rd 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 (4^th 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