The Sepia Society (2024)

05/08/2023

This photo has so much character!! I am dying to know more about this nautical fellow. The cabinet card looks to be late 1800s. I've wondered if he is associated with the Toronto Life Saving & Police Patrol Service when it was under a different name. The binoculars indicate some sort of search and rescue/lookout occupation. His hat says "Toronto" but I can not tell what the rest of it says. He has some pretty fancy metals. I've never seen the elaborate filigree he sports at the end of each ribbon; they are very much like the British Royal Navy dolphin. The age of the card most likely means that this predates the creation of the Royal Canadian Navy. He also has a beautiful medal hanging from his lapel by a large bow, but I can not quite make it out. The back of the card reads, "To sister Jenna, from Willie". Willie has the stripes of a captain. If only these photos could talk! I'm captivated by Captain Willie, and I hope one day I can learn more about him and his life.

29/06/2023

Here we have a cabinet card of a handsome, young man of the early Gilded Age. Photographed in 1900-1901 in Fargo, North Dakota by photographer Ernest H. Richardson. On the back of the card, there is a faint pencil of the name, "Arthur Neyhart." Mr. Neyhart has such fine features, with his wide-set mouth and masculine chin. His eyes are haunting, with their subtle creases and intense stare. I imagine him to have a gentle smile, and soft spoken voice. I have not been able to find any concrete information about him, but I can say with certainty that the date of this photo is very specific to 1900-1901 based on the below information:

"Ernest H. Richardson was born at Old Orchard, Maine, on November 22, 1875. He came to Fargo around December 1899 and took over the Charles Judd studio. In 1901, he married Florence Amelia Hamilton, and together, they had four children. Mr. Richardson left Fargo sometime around 1901. He was a photographer in Minnesota until 1917, when he moved to Ames, Iowa. In Ames, he served as the Iowa State College photographer. Mr. Richardson died in Ames on May 18, 1941."

"Fargo, North Dakota Photographers, (Draft December 6, 1999)," State Historical Society of North Dakota, www.history.nd.gov

©️ 2023 Dana Cooper
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***The photographs contained on this page are the property of Dana Cooper () and are protected by United States and international copyright laws. Please be kind and do not steal***

19/06/2023

This beautiful woman was photographed at the turn of the 20th century (1900-1910). Notice her blouse, which billows over the waist. This style of blouse was actually called a "waist" or "shirt-waist" blouse. She's wearing a lovely hat decorated in plumage, but off to the side, we can see a boater hat and a parasol. She's dressed in a fashionable walking outfit for her time. That waistline is Itty bitty, and she looks very youthful. I love this playful pose. There was no information on the woman or the photographer.

©️ 2023 Dana Cooper
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***The photographs contained on this page are the property of Dana Cooper () and are protected by United States and international copyright laws. Please be kind and do not steal***

10/06/2023

These young "actresses" look like a close bunch. Circa 1919-1920 is my best guess. I believe these ladies are standing outside of a high school. The names read: Me, Neva, Ruth, Agnes, Olach(?), and Critsy. The back of the photo says what I thought was the name of "me" in the photo, but I can't make sense of it. I uncovered it after carefully removing the black album paper and adhesive from the back of the photo. It looks like it says, "Sola F' mton" or "Sola Imton." I've tried to look into this and can't find any answers. I hope one of my followers can assist! I love their beautiful coats and hats. Critsy has a wonderful smile and a very cute dimple.

©️ 2023 Dana Cooper
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***The photographs contained on this page are the property of Dana Cooper () and are protected by United States and international copyright laws. Please be kind and do not steal***

05/06/2023

This lovely young woman is poised so perfectly. The photographer must have directed her very well. Her hand is so relaxed on the rock she stands next to; the opposite hand holds her parasol effortlessly. Her velvety hat, with its ostrich feathers encompassing the top, is fetching but not overdone. The high-neck collar of her bodice is accented with a small amount of frill, as well as a beautiful broach and a flat-chain necklace. She is not flashy at all, and yet, she catches your eye. I believe this photo was taken in the early to mid 1880s. The dress she is wearing has what looks like a mid-bustle, and the bodice drops below the hips. Her silhouette is gorgeous. The fited and curvy lines of her waist give way to the draped and pleated fabric of her skirt, which was all very trendy around 1885. Compared to other years' fashion, this dress actually looks comfortable. Her sweet face immediately reminded me of Daisy Mason, played by Sophie McShera, from Downtown Abbey.
She has a quiet yet resilient look. Do you agree? I could not find anything about the photographer, J.E. North of Trenton New Jersey. I would love to know more about him if anyone has further information.

©️ 2023 Dana Cooper
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***The photographs contained on this page are the property of Dana Cooper () and are protected by United States and international copyright laws. Please be kind and do not steal***

31/05/2023

"She ought to be home with her mother." Hah! This was a fantastic find in an assortment of random photos my husband won for me at an online auction through invaluable.com. I'm placing them in the 1920s with his flatcap and shawl- collared cardigan and her Mary Pickford ringlets and Mary Jane heels. My husband said she reminded him of me because of a hat I often wear that is similar to hers. The playfulness here is priceless. I love that they are sitting on some sort of swing in a yard. She looks slightly caught off guard while her counterpart is cracking up; like he caught onto a joke before she did. Just another perfect moment in time.

©️ 2023 Dana Cooper
All Rights Reserved

***The photographs contained on this page are the property of Dana Cooper () and are protected by United States and international copyright laws. Please be kind and do not steal***

29/05/2023

Here, in the United States of America, tomorrow we celebrate Memorial Day. On the eve of Memorial Day, I felt that this photo was pertinent. I picked this up today at Old Town Antique Faire in Temecula, CA. I believe we are looking at two proud brothers, wearing replicas of their father's uniform circa 1917-1918. They are sporting the "doughboy" uniform notorious for the U.S. soldiers who joined into the fighting of WW1 later in the game. I would love to know what the cap and collar insignia are, as well as the meaning behind the cuff stripes. It was common for children to wear replicas of their father's uniform during this war, so I would like to think that's what this photo is capturing. Both the boys look happy and proud. However, the sobering fact is that these boys may not have ever seen their father again. According to Patrick J. Kiger's article, How Many People Died in WW1(hostory.com): "The Allied side, including Britain (885,138 deaths), France (1,397,800), Russia (1,811,000), Italy (651,000), Serbia (275,000) and the U.S. (116,708), in addition to a host of other nations—lost 5.4 million military personnel." Victory was won at a GREAT price. Let us not ever forget the brave men and women, and yes, even children, who lost their lives fighting for what they believed in. Whether these boys' father came home alive or otherwise, I hope he was celebrated for the hero he was.

23/05/2023

I don't know about you, but this photo looks like Mole and Mr. Toad have set off on a grand adventure. While this photo made me laugh out loud in the middle of San Juan Capistrano's Old Barn Antique Mall, there is some fantastic history to be discovered in it! Before 1915 there weren't even stop signs, and speed limits were almost non-existant in most states. There weren't even roads to drive on compared to the way we have them today**, so it's no wonder these two are out on a dirt road amongst brush. And with dirt, comes dust in your eyes, so naturally it was necessary to don often goofy looking goggles. The man on the right 100% looks like Mr. Toad with that insane nose cover he's got. The autobile they are driving was a wonderful surprise that I was able to discover through the help of Layden B, who responded to my post on the American Automobile Club of America Discussion Forums. We are most likely looking at a 1906 Stevens Duryea vehicle. The most fascinating thing about this is that the manufacturer can be credited as being the first American car- manufacturing company. The Duryea brothers created the very first successful gasoline powered car*! I had no idea! There are a lot of fun facts you can discover about the Duryea Brothers and their brand. Would you like to see The Sepia Society do a YouTube episode on this photo for more facts about early automobiles, motorists, and the Duryea brand? Let me know! Ps. Check out the back-up transportation behind the vehicle 🐎

References
* Who Invented the Automobile, The Library of Congress (loc.gov)
**What it was like to drive 100 years ago, Edgar Snyder & Associates (edgarsnyder.com)

©️ 2023 Dana Cooper
All Rights Reserved

***The photographs contained on this page are the property of Dana Cooper () and are protected by United States and international copyright laws. Please be kind and do not steal***

23/05/2023

You know, I'm sure these three were very nice and honest people...but this tin type sure makes them look suspicious to me 🤣 Maybe it's the squinting eyes of the lady in the middle that gives me the sense that they have a secret. I love the gentleman's parted and pressed hair, along with his stripped tie; Gomez Adams, anyone? I believe these are siblings (or relatives) due to the fact that they all share strong, dimpled chins. The women's hats and dresses are lovel, especially the texture on the woman in the middle. Hats, handfans, and parasols were all part of everyday attire in the 19th century. What do you enjoy about this tin type? What fictional story do they tell you?

©️ 2023 Dana Cooper
All Rights Reserved

***The photographs contained on this page are the property of Dana Cooper () and are protected by United States and international copyright laws. Please be kind and do not steal***

21/05/2023

The best of friends in North Dakota on February 15, 1920. You can feel the love they have for each other, especially with the heart drawn over them. Their male counterparts look to be having a good time too; one of them guffawing while he holds his cap at his side and the other one looking debonair with his smirk and his hand in his pocket. It sounds like a reunion with the handwritten title on the photo "n.d. again. The back of the photo reads, "No more needed. Feb 15 1920. In good old N.D." The owner of this photo clearly felt that nothing else was needed, now that she was with her friend, who we find out on the second image, is Katie. Both ladies are wearing dresses more from the fashion of 1918-1919. Considering 1920 had barely begun, they naturally may not have had any of the new fashion trends that would later hallmark 1920s look.

Katie is glowing in her portrait. Her pose makes her look like a girl ready to embrace the changes coming during her lifetime. I love her little neck kerchief, it makes her look adventurous. One of the boys pokes around in the background. The back of this photo says, "n.d. Feb 15th, 1920. Alone? Here but not now". I take this to mean that she was alone in this picture, "here", but once her friends joined, she was no longer alone. I believe this photo was glued into an album to be seen before the group photo. It was actually a surprise to me when I noticed a peeled edge was revealing some writing. I was able to successfully remove the photos from the paper and read their inscriptions.

I love that you can see the photographers shadow in both of these pictures. Mid February in N.D. can be bitterly cold, but on Feb 15th, 1920, the sun was high and shining brightly on these happy friends.

©️ 2023 Dana Cooper
All Rights Reserved

***The photographs contained on this page are the property of Dana Cooper () and are protected by United States and international copyright laws. Please be kind and do not steal***

#1920

19/05/2023

These two miniature tin-types make me smile. Due to the small size, it is hard to see how young the subjects are. After a high definition scan, you can see that these are very young men, doing their best to look mature. The fellow on the right appears solo in the second image, and his coat appears to be oversized, giving him the look of a boy dressing up in his father's clothes. It is hard to say, but they may be holding ci**rs or some other object in their right hands. They sport thin walking canes and bowler hats. The lad on the right wears a winged collar and a lovely crevat or neck scarf. I am struggling to date this one, but I'd say somewhere in the later 1800s. Say 1880ish? What do you think of them? Know more about their attire? Where do you think they reside? I want to know.

©️ 2023 Dana Cooper
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***The photographs contained on this page are the property of Dana Cooper () and are protected by United States and international copyright laws. Please be kind and do not steal***

19/05/2023

I don't know much about this photo, other than it's got the feel of the old west in it. The back of the card reads: "?* ?* Edwards on right. Joe Bishop in center. Bob Edwards on horse. Papa & Uncle Bob. Uncle Joe. Feb 1911. On Berry Creeks Bishop Home."

I can't quite make out the first part of the writing... maybe Mr. W Edwards?

There is only one Berry Creek that I know of in California. Sadly, the entire place was destroyed by a fire in 2020.

The writing on the back appears to be by 2-3 different hands. I find it endearing that the child of Mr. Edwards (on the right) documented that this was a photo of their "papa" and uncle. Uncle Bob has a mighty big steed he's riding, and he looks like he's ready for anything with his ropes.

If anyone knows more about this photo, I'd love to hear from you.

©️ 2023 Dana Cooper
All Rights Reserved

***The photographs contained on this page are the property of Dana Cooper () and are protected by United States and international copyright laws. Please be kind and do not steal***

17/05/2023

This is one of those fantastic finds that just gets better and better as you look at it. Here we have a man shaving the face of a younger man, at what one can assume is some sort of camp site. To me, this looks like a father and son moment. There is a mirror set up on a tree in the background, but clearly, the younger man either needed assistance, or the other man just wanted to be helpful by doing an expert job. Maybe they were preparing for something special? The younger man is wearing a wedding ring on his hand that faces the camera, while his other hand has shaving cream all over it. This is both a comical and yet tender moment.

The photo says, "Summers Mill." This is most likely Summers Mill in Belton, Texas. The mill began construction in 1865 and is now currently a retreat and conference center. Summers Mill once had a small community and hosted baptisms, camping, picnics, and more. You can learn more about Summers Mill and its history at summersmill.com

On the clothesline in the background, there are assorted items, including a plaid toiletrie travel bag and what looks like two men's full-body swim suits. I'm guessing this photo dates between the early 1900s-20s, based on the swimsuits, as well as the pant style not being too baggy and the fashionable pin striping on the older man's shirt.

What do you think these men were preparing for? What do you think is their relationship?

©️ 2023 Dana Cooper
All Rights Reserved

***The photographs contained on this page are the property of Dana Cooper () and are protected by United States and international copyright laws. Please be kind and do not steal***

16/05/2023

Here is a perfectly picturesque trio; mother and daughters. This is a fantastic Edwardian era Artura RPPC (Real Photograph Post Card) photograph somewhere in the early 1900s. The back of the card reads, "Mildred is cutting teeth, but she is not as sick as she looks in the picture." They are an eye-catching bunch. Her daughters wear matching fur-coats, with capelets and gigantic bows on their shoulders. They are all showing off their winter attire. Mother is wearing dark leather gloves and a beautiful coat or jacket with embelishments on the lapels. I love the height of her collar and her "pince nez" spectacles. Pince nez (French for pinch-nose) had a flexible nose band that gently squeezed the bridge of the nose to stay on. They often had a thin ear loop or a hair pin attached to the singular chain you see hanging along the side of this woman's face. Her understated necklace works well with her choice of millinery (women's hats). The hat is decorated in silk flowers, ribbons, and ostrich feathers. It's hard to tell, but there could be a cabochon of some type, catching the light at the crown. Overall, these three are a beautiful representation of their time. I love the mother's subtle smile; she looks like a kind woman with a little mischief in her eye. I'd love to have met her and her beautiful girls.

©️ 2023 Dana Cooper
All Rights Reserved

***The photographs contained on this page are the property of Dana Cooper () and are protected by United States and international copyright laws. Please be kind and do not steal***

15/05/2023

Here, we have a dashing young soldier of the 2nd Infantry Regiment of Haller's Blue Army during WWI. Lead by General Jòzef Haller, The Blue Army was a Polish legion umbrellaed under the French Army. They were provided the French, "Horizon Blue," uniforms, but the distinguishing Polish feature was the square hats they wore. This soldier sports the infantry bugle pin on his hat, as well as bugles on his collar points under the number "2" for his regiment. The Blue Army was said to have a large number of Polish-American volunteers who left America to go fight for their home country. This is an RPPC (Real Photo Post Card) printed with the Artura stamp box, dating it between 1910-1924, when this photo paper manufacturer was at large. This date range is further confirmation that we are looking at a WWI soldier. Since the RPPC is printed in English, it makes me wonder if this young man was a Polish-American volunteer. Regardless of where the photo was taken, he is an unknown soldier of The Great War, one of the deadliest wars the world has seen. I am honored to be a keeper of this brave young soldier's memory.

For more information about The Blue Army, check out hallersarmy.com by C. Krupinsky

©️ 2023 Dana Cooper
All Rights Reserved

***The photographs contained on this page are the property of Dana Cooper () and are protected by United States and international copyright laws. Please be kind and do not steal***

15/05/2023

In today's photo, we see a beautiful Edwardian mother, or possibly nurse-maid/nanny, with a newborn baby. Tenderness and love pour out of these pictures. I really like this woman's fleur-de-lis pocket watch brooch, pleated blouse, and tidy pompador. Whether she is the mother, or the nanny, you can see she has an affinity for caring for this wee babe. In one of the photos, she is happily holding up a cotton ball to the baby as it smiles towards her. These photos are intriguing, in that the bed is not made and there appears to be sheets piled on the floor, as if the baby was just recently delivered in this room. There is also an odd contraption resting on the floor at the foot of the bed, which seems to be hanging from the ceiling by some sort of tube or electrical cord. I would love to know what it is. With this post, I wish you a Happy Mother's Day to any person who has been a mother in any capacity. I hope these pictures can remind you of the timelessness of motherly love.

©️ 2023 Dana Cooper
All Rights Reserved

***The photographs contained on this page are the property of Dana Cooper () and are protected by United States and international copyright laws. Please be kind and do not steal***

02/05/2023

I have to take a break right now, but if you would like to follow my girl's story, head over to

28/04/2023

I wanted to introduce myself, Dana Cooper, founding member of The Sepia Society. As lovers of history, my husband and I love to do era-themed events. These pictures were taken last year for our maternity shoot. In keeping with the "sepia" theme, I've filtered them to make them look old. Our style is a bit jumbled between different times, but we were so excited to do this shoot. Our baby girl is now 1 years old already, and we can't wait to take her to this magical house, the beautiful Heritage Museum of Orange County.

I have always loved antiques. I gravitate towards the Victorian and Edwardian, and especially love all things Wild West and Pioneer. I live in Wildomar, CA with my husband of almost 2 years, our baby girl, a horse, mini donkey, 2 chickens, 3 cats and 2 dogs. My hope for The Sepia Society is that my content will inspire and captivate those who share a similar passion for the past. I have plans to have a YouTube channel in the near future, where I will discuss the photos I'm posting here, but have much more room to discuss the historical and photography aspects in more detail.

I really look forward to connecting with you all while we travel through the decades and centuries together.

*original photos taken by *

©️ 2023 Dana Cooper
All Rights Reserved

28/04/2023

Here we see Louis and Alice, April 1923. Alice rides in a wagon, encouraging her trusty "steed", Louis with her driving whip, as he sheepishly holds up the wagon shafts. Maybe this was a new purchase? Or maybe they just decided to take a fun picture. **I'm waiting for more info on the wagon, and will update my post once I have it.**

My favorite part about looking at antique and vintage photography, is the investigation I undertake to learn as much as I can from these snippets of time. I pour over every little detail. The house is a classic Farmhouse style. You can see a milk jug in the entryway of what I'm guessing is an unfinished extension. The house itself is beautiful. What I find haunting and also comical is the face peeking out of the window. There is clearly another "someone" pulling the curtain aside in the adjacent window as well.

Alice wears a typical day dress for 1923. When you zoom in, you can see that the dress is a gingham pattern with scalloped edges and a collar. Her hair is done in what looks like a faux bob, either tucked up or "earphone" buns/braids. What was a surprise to me was that she is in a short-sleeved, light weight dress on what looks like late winter or early spring. The trees are bare and the grass looks brown and sparse. Maybe she was doing chores inside and came running out in excitement to take the picture. It looks bright outside, maybe it was an unusually warm day.

Louis is in classic early 20s attire, with his flat cap, lapelless vest with tie and very pointy-toed oxfords (possibly boots). His shoes look a bit too pointy and long...maybe dad's? They make me giggle with their clownish length.

What a happy moment in time, 100 years ago this month.

#1923

25/04/2023

Today, let me introduce you to, "The Skater Boys." You may be thinking, "What am I looking at here?", and that is precisely the question that had me investigating this tin type further. They look so charming, with their patterned bow ties and low profile bowler hats. The man on the left has sent me down a rabbit hole trying to identify his waistcoat accesory. Anyone curious can see the comment section for more info.

As I continued to admire these individuals, I noticed that two of them were holding something in their hands. These men are, in fact, holding roller skates! The skates photographed here probably date in the late 1800s, but they were based on a design patented by James L. Plimpton in 1863. Plimpton developed skates that could be attached to the shoe and were less cumbersome than past designs. Plimpton's marketing was genius! He advertised his skates, not as a sport for a small group of elite athletes, but a recreational activity for ladies,gentlemen, and family alike. Initially, he did not sell his skates, but only rented them out at the very first skating rinks.

Roller skating quickly became a pastime where young men and women could interact in a different way than the formal day-to-day engagements of the time. Roller skating was not for stuffy rule toters. Attire was altered to better accommodate the activity, skate parties were held, and the skates were even considered for police to subdue criminals quickly. Needless to say, we can see how a pair of skates in a photograph can say a lot about these young men. I wasn't sure why the man on the right wasn't holding any skates until I zoomed in and realized....HE'S WEARING THEM ON HIS FEET!! You can actually see the leather strap on the top of the shoe, and he is holding his foot in a way to display them.

So there you have it, the original skater boys. They might hold still for a photo, but you know you can't catch them on the rink. The ladies probably thought they were quite fun-loving and adventurous. I can not help but smile and feel light-hearted looking at their picture.

The Sepia Society

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