Vintage 10" x 13" Albumen Photograph "Man With Pipe" ID-Info Help?

Any help on subject or photographer appreciated!

 

My very first thought was a WPA thing. Its GORGEOUS. I almost want to say that's a Japanese signature on the back?

 

Interesting shot. His shirt is kind of dirty and the background looks like one of 2 things - either "artwork" or a storefront display. I'm leaning toward 'artwork.' Perhaps an artist?

Did it come in one of those folders with an opening inside (like a matted portrait?)

 

It was framed under glass....The third picture down is the matting & it is glued to the backing :>(..The background does look like artwork (good eyes Bakrgma)

 

he looks very relaxed..

 

It looks like it says "Fija Kija" ??....Thanks.I do like it!!

 

Are you sure it's an albumen print? Looks like silver nitrate to me. Agree it's a good photo.

 

I think it's more like

F. ja K. ja ......isn't Ja , yes in german !!

 

He looks awfully familiar....dang. Wish I could remember who that was, if I even know.

 

My first thought when I saw the photo was, Bing Crosby. Do not believe it is - just favors him.

 

Don't laugh but . . . I think it might be a young(ish) Rock Hudson.

Rock Hudson was in his first movie in 1948 (Warner Bros. "Fighter Squadron"). I'm really starting to think it may be Rock Hudson. It appears from information on the web that Rock Hudson did smoke pipes.

 

Like jackolin, I, too, thought Bing Crosby when I first saw the photo, but I'm not sure the ears "stick out" enough.

 

I messed with it a bit -

 

He reminds me of Richard Kiel ("Jaws" from James Bond).

 

I disagree.

 

I agree that it's not likely to be an albumen print. That type of print was almost never used after the 19th century.

Rock Hudson is an interesting thought, but the chin on this man is different. Rock Hudson's looks just a little more prominent, and he had a light cleft in his chin. I don't see that here.

 

I thought he had a likeness to Bing at first too. But it was just the pipe and not the rest of the face.

 

No, he reminds me of Kiel -- cheekbones especially.

However, I think he is Irish.

And, he looks like, not so much the photos, but John Singer Sargent's drawing of W. B. Yeats.

 

I think he looks slightly Asian,does anyone else ?

 

Welllllllllll... as I study the face shape, eyebrows, and ear creases, I think it does look like Bing. Kinda looks like his laid back "cool dude" expression. I really WANT it to look like Bing! Gonna go search some images...