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