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Fascinating, & never know what information will be useful when. I heard about the folded corner thing probably in 1971 & never needed it until now. Sounds like a holdover from days when there would often have been a strong correlation between military rank & civilian social status. How many did you have to order for that first batch of cards?

 

Probably. I was also given a thick hard cover book on proper etiquette for military spouses. There are many formal ceremonies that have various "rules" of conduct....I remember one CO's wife warning new Navy wives that "nothing you do will help get your husband promoted, but your behavior can definitely keep him from being promoted." I wonder with so many women in the military nowadays if their husbands get the same warning.

 

It seems like the box was about an inch thick....I sometimes wish I had saved a few, but they were like business cards with name only -- nothing like the beautiful antique die cut calling cards.

 

How many years did you live the military life?

 

1968-1977. My husband left active duty after the Vietnam war, then spent a year or two in the reserves. He wanted to be a pilot, but discovered he didn't like military politics -- and neither of us liked the family separations.

 

And those were difficult times in which to feel good about military service; no one was thanking you then.

 

I did, thanks. Good article. I had no idea people still carry on the custom!
What's wrong with Facebook?

 

Nice article:
Calling Cards and Visiting Cards: A Brief History
With one similar to yours, @Dutchess - Welcome!



Men used them, too... Here's my Grandaddy Lee's from his rough riding days in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show 1894

 

The vintage photo listings are full of C.D.V.s, cartes de visite, calling cards with your photo.

 

I was showing my Grandaddy's little BBWWS card, which I always thought was a carte de visite, but now know it's a calling card - wasn't even thinking of the photo - I think that's a post card.

Is that what you mean?

 

I wasn't paying close attention to relative sizes, so was thinking the full length photo is smaller than it is. You did used to be able to get your photo taken & printed on post card stock. The one of the saddle looks about CDV size, approx. 4" x 2.5"?

 

Some old photo albums had places for both cabinet size photos & CDVs:



http://www.ebay.com/itm/163510221970

 

"My Saddle" would have made a cute/funny carte de visite, but I think I just resized it back when I put a book together for my family.

 

The larger two items are both photographs, not postcards. That is, I assume the reverse of both is blank [apart from any handwriting].

 

No, you're right - it's a cabinet card.

I don't recall whether the backs are embossed, which some are.

I have all my Grandaddy's effects and could not find that full-length portrait. I gave up looking, thinking I'd lost it.

Turns out my niece borrowed it 10 years ago, and now believes it's hers. I'm relieved it's still around, but...

 

Nice, @scoutshouse -- Love the photos, and the calling card looks very restrained for that of a roughrider.

I just googled your grandfather's name and found a video on YouTube that says it is from October 16, 1894, of "Bucking Bronco, Ridden by Cowboy Lee Martin." The date is early for this type of film, but is possible. And it's the same time as the date you posted. (I noticed that there is a comment on the page that says Lee was the person's great uncle, too.)

 

Yep, that is Jerome Lee Martin, @Figtree3

While the show was in New York in 1894, he was recruited by along with Annie Oakley and a Native American Dance troop to perform their acts at Edison's studio. Imagine our shock to find him on YoutTube about 15 years ago!

Here's a poem he wrote about it:

At the close of the show the next face
A representative of Edison made me a case
Said Martin I wonder if I could hire
To show your stuff before the Black Maria

A bargain was made a date was set
At the West Orange Depot there you were met
Said Wissard (sic) Edison: I sent for you to ride and rope
Before the Edison (movie) Kinetiscope

I find that whole scene fascinating - what's up with the guy waving the baton?

 

What a great story, and history, @scoutshouse ! I'm not sure about the baton in the film...

 

Think you have to stay on for a certain number of seconds? Maybe the judge counting them out. If recording device did not run at a steady speed, the beats would appear irregular.