PossessionPortraits

Portraits with Prized Possessions

 

Phonographs, Organs, and Sewing Machines in Portraits

Family photographs where an important way to share updates on how the family was doing, particularly when they had moved away from family and friends. One aspect of sharing a family picture might be to include their house and some prized possessions as part of the portrait.

The prized possessions displayed in the following portraits of the early 20th century are phonographs, organs, and sewing machines.

Select any of the following to see enlarged family portraits.

 

 

Pump organ at Sod House, 1890's by Solomon Butcher

The David Hilton family near Sargent, Nebraska. Mrs. Hilton and her eldest daughter were adamant that they not be photographed in front of their sod house, because they wished to send copies of the picture to friends and relatives elsewhere and thought it embarassing to be seen living in a house of dirt. But they did want to be seen with their new pump organ, so they made Mr. Hilton and the photographer drag the organ out of the house for the photographs, then drag it back in again. (Courtesy History Nebraska)

 

  

The John Curry Homestead with sewing machine

John Curry and wife's sod house near West Union, Custer County, Nebraska, 1886 by Solomon D. Butcher. Known in Nebraska as "American Gothic (Courtesy History Nebraska)









  

Family portrait with sewing machine

By Welch & Co. Photographic Artist, Suspension Bridge, N.Y.









  

Billings Family portrait with Phonograph.

Allen Billings family photographed outside their house with doll and Phonograph on chair - morninglory horn with flowers, ca. 1910. (PM-0025)
 

Baby in portrait with Gramophone, ca. 1915 (PM-0689).









  

Portrait of Woman with her Columbia Graphophone and Sewing Machine, ca. 1910 (PM-0021).









  

Portrait of man and woman with Edison phonograph.

Morninglory flower horn phonograph and suitcase of cylinder records in front of home for portrait, ca.1910 (PM-0026).







  

Two children with rabbit inside Phonograph horn.






Selling Phonographs, Organs, and Sewing Machines

When the phonograph became a consumer item for the home in the 1890's the store that simply sold phonographs was rare. Phonographs could be ordered by mail, purchased from travelling salesmen, or purchased in a local store. Invariably, the local store had additional products or businesses. A general store, bicycle shop, piano and music stores with sheet music and other musical instruments, drug stores, and many other unexpected businesses like funeral services and insurance companies could sell phonographs as part of their business.

The following are two examples of businesses that advertised selling phonographs along with sewing machines, pianos, and organs.



Postcard ad from H.J. Cromley advertising Phonographs, Sewing Machines, Pianos and Organs. Mifflinburg, PA


Front of H.J. Cromley postcard promoting The Free Sewing Machine.



Back of postcard by J.N. & I.J. Smith, Skowhegan, Maine offering Phonographs, Sewing Machines, Pianos and Organs.



There are many connections between the phonograph (talking machine) and the sewing machine. See Phonographia's Phonographs and Sewing Machines for more details.