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Archive of Early Minnesota Photographers

Keith Dotson
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A reference list of historic Minnesota photo studios founded thanks to a generous donation of photographs

Last year I published a video and a blog post about Duluth, Minnesota photographer Carl Thiel. It was seen by a woman named Joyce who lives in Minnesota. Joyce possessed a large collection of historic cabinet cards and other photographs made by Minnesota photo studios, primarily studios in Duluth, where Carl Thiel worked for most of his career.

Joyce generously offered to send her collection to me and I accepted her offer enthusiastically. The day her package arrived was almost like Christmas for me.

The video shows every Minnesota photographer from the collection that Joyce sent to me. But you can also scroll down to see high-resolution images of each photographer’s work as well.

My hope is that this page will become a useful resource for anyone searching for samples of the work of early Minnesota photographers.

Update 11/2022: Joyce has since forwarded a second package with dozens of historic photographs, which I have begun adding to this archive. However, they do not appear in the video which was made prior.

Video: An Archive of Early Minnesota Photographers

In this video, we look briefly at the front and back of every photograph in the donated collection.

Alphabetical list of Early Minnesota Photographers

This list includes every photo studio in the archive donated by Joyce, but will also include additional images as they become available. Wherever possible, I have included details about the photographers.

  • Banks Brothers
  • Boyer Brothers
  • Brush, J.A.
  • Christensen Studios
  • Clark, I.B.
  • The Fran’s Studio
  • Gaylord
  • Green
  • Jaboby, W.H.
  • Kertson, D.W.
  • Nye’s Studio
  • Oleson, John E.
  • Reitz, J.A.
  • Rust & Stafford
  • Sather
  • Scott, Alex A.
  • Thiel, Carl
  • Zenith Gallery
  • The Zweisses’ Studio

Banks Brothers

19 West 20th Avenue, Duluth, Minnesota

The Banks Brothers studio (not to be confused with a different studio called Bank Brothers that operated later in Minneapolis) consisted of brothers James G. Banks and William R. Banks. The Banks Brothers operated at several different locations, which helps us narrow down the date of this photograph (top), which would have been made sometime between 1894-1896. (1)

Studio locations:

1891-1893
512 Second Avenue South, Duluth, Minnesota and 214 West Superior, Duluth, Minnesota

1894-1896
19 Twentieth Avenue West, Duluth, Minnesota

1895
318 Fifty-fifth Avenue West, Duluth, Minnesota

Cabinet card portrait of three young women in an unusual vertical lineup, made in the Duluth studio of the Banks Brothers. The studio name and address were stamped onto the front of the card with silver foil. The back of the card is blank. The photograph appears to be a gelatin silver print rather than an albumen print that was typically seen on cabinet cards.
Cabinet card portrait of three young women in an unusual vertical lineup, made in the Duluth studio of the Banks Brothers. The studio name and address were stamped onto the front of the card with silver foil. The back of the card is blank. The photograph appears to be a gelatin silver print rather than an albumen print that was typically seen on cabinet cards.
This gelatin silver Banks Brothers portrait of three young men is larger than a carte de visite and smaller than a cabinet card.
This gelatin silver Banks Brothers portrait of three young men is larger than a carte de visite and smaller than a cabinet card.

Boyer Brothers

209 West Superior St., Duluth

Cabinet card portrait of a young man with a mustache wearing a bow tie, by the studio of Boyer Brothers, located at 209 West Superior Street, in Duluth, Minnesota, possibly 1890s.
Cabinet card portrait of a young man with a mustache wearing a bow tie, by the studio of Boyer Brothers, located at 209 West Superior Street, in Duluth, Minnesota, possibly 1890s.
Look at the beautiful handwriting on the back of this cabinet card. It says, "Presented to Blanch by Mr. and Mrs. Riley, U.P. Junction."
Look at the beautiful handwriting on the back of this cabinet card. It says, “Presented to Blanch by Mr. and Mrs. Riley, U.P. Junction.”

The Boyer Brothers studio was operated by Hans R. Boyer, Henry Boyer, and Robert H. Boyer in Duluth and in West Superior, Wisconsin, from the 1880s until the 1910s.

The Boyer brothers were born in Norway and worked together and separately with other photographers in many locations over the course of more than 20 years. They seem to have operated at 209 West Superior in Duluth from 1888 until at least 1905. Later in their careers, they operated a studio over a 5 and 10-cent store in Duluth.

J.A. Brush

609 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis
223 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis

Full-length portrait of a young girl with short hair, a lace color, and boots, shot by photographer J.A. Brush of Minneapolis
Full-length portrait of a young girl with short hair, a lace color, and boots, shot by photographer J.A. Brush of Minneapolis
Head and shoulders portrait of a young woman made by photographer J.A. Brush. The edge of the card is lined with metallic gold.
Head and shoulders portrait of a young woman made by photographer J.A. Brush. The edge of the card is lined with metallic gold.
The backside of this portrait gives us another address for photographer J.A. Brush
The backside of this portrait gives us another address for photographer J.A. Brush

Christensen Studios

25 West Superior Street, Duluth and 1509 West Fifth Street, West Superior, Wisconsin

Head and shoulders portrait of a young boy with an overcoat and spiffy bowtie, shot by the Christensen Studios in either Duluth or West Superior, Wisconsin.
Head and shoulders portrait of a young boy with an overcoat and spiffy bowtie, shot by the Christensen Studios in either Duluth or West Superior, Wisconsin.
A close-up look at the gold foil stamped branding on the front of the mount card from Christensen Studios.
A close-up look at the gold foil stamped branding on the front of the mount card from Christensen Studios.

I.B. Clark

Minneapolis

Portrait of a white-haired elderly woman by photographer I. B. Clark of Minneapolis
Portrait of a white-haired elderly woman by photographer I. B. Clark of Minneapolis
The branding graphics of photographer I. B. Clark of Minneapolis
The branding graphics of photographer I. B. Clark of Minneapolis

The Fran’s Studio

Duluth

Black and white head and shoulders portrait of a man with a handlebar mustache wearing and wearing an overcoat, shot by The Fran's Studio in Duluth. The portrait is held in an oval photo mat, and the verso is blank.
Black and white head and shoulders portrait of a man with a handlebar mustache wearing and wearing an overcoat, shot by The Fran’s Studio in Duluth. The portrait is held in an oval photo mat, and the verso is blank.

Gaylord

Duluth

Portrait of an infant girl in a long gown made by the Gaylord studio of Duluth
Portrait of an infant girl in a long gown made by the Gaylord studio of Duluth, printed in a carte de visite size.
The reverse of the card is covered by a printed woodgrain texture. It's the only time I've ever seen this!
The reverse of the card is covered by a printed woodgrain texture. It’s the only time I’ve ever seen this!
Cabinet card portrait of a couple by the Gaylord Studio in Duluth, possibly 1880s.
Cabinet card portrait of a couple by the Gaylord Studio in Duluth, possibly 1880s.
The blank back of the cabinet card features a faint name written in pencil that appears to say, "Alice Richards.," although it's very difficult read.
The blank back of the cabinet card features a faint name written in pencil that appears to say, “Alice Richards.,” although it’s very difficult read.

Green

Centeral Avenue, West Duluth (Was the street name a typographical error?)

A gorgeous black and white portrait of a young woman cut into an oval and mounted onto an embossed card. The tonality of the print is subtle and rich. Unfortunately, the print has been scuffed and it also appears that the street name may have been misspelled.
A gorgeous black and white portrait of a young woman cut into an oval and mounted onto an embossed card. The tonality of the print is subtle and rich. Unfortunately, the print has been scuffed and it also appears that the street name may have been misspelled.

W.H. Jacoby

252 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota

William H. Jacoby (1841 – 1905) was born in Massillon, Ohio and operated several studios there before coming to Minneapolis, where he opened a studio with his brother in 1867. His brother left for a small town where he successfully operated a photo business, while William went on to build his own quite successful business block at the corner of Nicollet and Third Street in 1871. In addition to portraiture, Jacoby made stereo views of Minneapolis and St. Paul, and lakeland landscapes.

After the notorious bank robbery in Northfield, Minnesota by the James / Younger gangs, Jacoby took his camera equipment to the town to photograph the bodies of the robbers killed in the failed raid. His macabre portraits portrayed the dead men sitting upright with eyes open, shirtless with blood dripping from the bullet wounds. He sold carte de visite prints from his Minneapolis studio and claimed that he couldn’t print them fast enough.

Jacoby was recognized in the magazine The Philadelphia Photographer in April and November 1873. He relinquished the photography business to his son Charles in 1887 and some of his work is held by the Getty Museum.

Jacoby died in California at age 64. He was a thirty-second degree Mason and a Knights Templar.

Sources

Carte de visite portrait of a man with a mustache and impressive sideburns by W.H Jacoby of Minneapolis, probably circa 1870s.
Carte de visite portrait of a man with a mustache and impressive sideburns by W.H Jacoby of Minneapolis, probably circa 1870s.
The reverse of the carte de visite portrait. The ornate graphic says “W.H. Jacoby, 252 Nicollet Avenue, Cor. Third St. Minneapolis, Minn. Negatives preserved. Duplicates may be had at any time by giving name.” His location sat on the site of the current Nicollet Mall.
Carte de visite portrait of a young girl in a fancy lace and silk dress bu W.H. Jacoby.
Carte de visite portrait of a young girl in a fancy lace and silk dress bu W.H. Jacoby.
The photographer's mark on the back side of the girl's portrait above. I love that ornate typographic design, so emblematic of the 1870s.
The photographer’s mark on the back side of the girl’s portrait above. I love that ornate typographic design, so emblematic of the 1870s.
Carte de visite portrait of a man with a thick mustache. In this portrait, the edges vignette away to white. The photographer's name appears on the front, with the verso blank.
Carte de visite portrait of a young man with a thick mustache. In this portrait, the edges vignette away to white. The photographer’s name appears on the front, with the verso blank.
Head and shoulders portrait of a somber young woman in carte de visite size, made by the studio of W.H. Jacoby of Minneapolis.
Head and shoulders portrait of a somber young woman in carte de visite size, made by the studio of W.H. Jacoby of Minneapolis.
The mark of photographer W.H. Jacoby on the back of a carte de visite portrait.
The mark of photographer W.H. Jacoby on the back of a carte de visite portrait.

D.W. Kertson

Shakopee

Head and shoulders portrait of a young lady by Shakopee-based photographer D.W. Kertson.
Head and shoulders portrait of a young lady by Shakopee-based photographer D.W. Kertson.
The back side of the D.W. Kertson photograph reveals only a small stamp of his name in black ink.
The back of the D.W. Kertson photograph reveals only a small stamp of his name in black ink.

Nye’s Studio

Duluth

Head and shoulders portrait with a vignette effect of a young woman with a pearl necklace and fringed collar, made by the Nye's Studio of Duluth, Minnesota
Head and shoulders portrait with a vignette effect of a young woman with a pearl necklace and fringed collar, made by the Nye’s Studio of Duluth, Minnesota

John H. Oleson

228 Washington Avenue South, Minneapolis

Carte de visite size portrait by John H. Oleson of an infant, inscribed on the bottom edge in pen and ink, "To Grandma." This must have been very special to that grandmother.
Carte de visite size portrait by John H. Oleson of an infant, inscribed on the bottom edge in pen and ink, “To Grandma.” This must have been very special to that grandmother.
The reverse of the carte de visite says Hohn H. Oleson, 228 Washington Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minn., Negatives preserved.
The reverse of the carte de visite says Hohn H. Oleson, 228 Washington Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minn., Negatives preserved.
Carte de visite size portrait by John H. Oleson of a young boy in a suit and boots, presumably the older brother of the baby shown above. This photo has a matching inscription on the bottom edge in pen and ink, "To Grandma."
Carte de visite size portrait by John H. Oleson of a young boy in a suit and boots, presumably the older brother of the baby shown above. This photo has a matching inscription on the bottom edge in pen and ink, “To Grandma.”
The reverse of the carte de visite says Hohn H. Oleson, 228 Washington Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minn., Negatives preserved.
The reverse of the carte de visite says Hohn H. Oleson, 228 Washington Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minn., Negatives preserved.

J.A. Reitz

Chaska and Shakopee

This cabinet card by photographer J.A. Reitz features an albumen print portrait of four young ladies in long cresses, with all apparently confined within the tight confines of corsets.
This cabinet card by photographer J.A. Reitz features an albumen print portrait of four young ladies in long cresses, with all apparently confined within the tight confines of corsets.
The artist's imprint on the back of the cabinet card appears to be hand stamped with purple ink.
The artist’s imprint on the back of the cabinet card appears to be hand stamped with purple ink.

Rust & Stafford

Hastings

Portrait of a young woman with a lace color and a chunky bejeweled necklace, shot y the Hastings-based studio of Rust and Stafford.
Portrait of a young woman with a lace color and a chunky bejeweled necklace, shot y the Hastings-based studio of Rust and Stafford.
The back of the card says "Fine Art Gallery of Rust & Stafford, Hastings, Minn. Old Pictures copied, enlarged and finished in various styles."
The back of the card says “Fine Art Gallery of Rust & Stafford, Hastings, Minn. Old Pictures copied, enlarged and finished in various styles.”

Sather

323 West Superior St., Duluth

According to the Minnesota Historical Society Directory of Minnesota Photographers, Theodore A. Sather (June 2, 1863 – September 10, 1952) was born in Hedmark, Norway, and operated portrait studios at several locations in Minnesota from 1887 until at least 1905. We can use the dates of studio occupation to date the photograph shown above. Sather apprenticed with A. Larson in Minneapolis. He later relocated to Washington State, where he died in 1952, and is buried with his wife Sarah Nashow Sather in Mount Vernon, Washington.

Studio addresses:

1887-1889
529 Washington Avenue, Minneapolis

1889-1890
323 West Superior Street, Duluth

1894-1895
25 West Superior Street, Duluth

1896-1899
Hutchinson (purchased studio of John H. Gravenslund)

1905
Hutchinson, Citizens Bank Building

Sources:

Full-length cabinet card portrait of a beautiful young woman in a feathered hat and long dress, made by the Sather Studio of Duluth, Minnesota
Full-length cabinet card portrait of a beautiful young woman in a feathered hat and long dress, made by the Sather Studio of Duluth, Minnesota. Based on studio locations, we can date this photograph to 1889 or 1890.

Alex A. Scott

Hastings, One door west of Tremont

Portrait of a young girl wearing a long dress, thick leggings, and high, button-up boots. She's holding a photograph in her tiny hands. Notice the nails in the heel of her right boot.
Portrait of a young girl wearing a long dress, thick leggings, and high, button-up boots. She held a photograph in her tiny hands. Notice the nails in the heel of her right boot.
The verso of this carte de visite says "Alex A. Scott, Photographer. One door west of Tremont, Hastings, Minn."
The verso of this carte de visite says “Alex A. Scott, Photographer. One door west of Tremont, Hastings, Minn.”
Our next carte de visite portrait by Alex A. Scott features two children posed with an upholstered chair. Notice this little girl is posed with her right leg tucked under, in a very similar position to the first little girl pictured above.
The back of this card was printed in gold ink and says "A.A. Scott, Hastings, Minn." There's a capital S centered amidst the ornate Sullivanesque graphic design.
The back of this card was printed in gold ink and says “A.A. Scott, Hastings, Minn.” There’s a capital S centered amidst the ornate Sullivanesque graphic design.
Head and shoulders portrait of a man with a mustache and necktie with a very wide knot, made by photographer A.A. Scott of Hastings, Minnesota.
Head and shoulders portrait of a man with a mustache and necktie with a very wide knot, made by photographer A.A. Scott of Hastings, Minnesota.
The back of this carte de visite is printed with gold ink on a robin's egg blue paper surface. It says "Excelsior. Alex A. Scott, photographer, One door west of Tremont House, Hastings, Minn."
The back of this carte de visite is printed with gold ink on a robin’s egg blue paper surface. It says “Excelsior. Alex A. Scott, photographer, One door west of Tremont House, Hastings, Minn.”

Carl Thiel

Ingalls Block and 105-107 Superior Street, Duluth, Minnesota

Albumen print on a cabinet card, circa 1890-ish.
Albumen print on a cabinet card made between 1887 and 1891.
The back of the card features a fanciful graphic. It says “Duplicates can be procured any time.” It also claims “Special attention given to all kinds of portraiture in crayon, ink, oil, or watercolor.”
The back of the card features a fanciful graphic. It says “Duplicates can be procured any time.” It also claims “Special attention given to all kinds of portraiture in crayon, ink, oil, or watercolor.”
A small portrait of a girl by the studio of Carl Thiel, made in Duluth, although he also had a studio in Hibbing for a while. This pretty young lady seems to display some attitude in her direct yet somewhat askance gaze. This appears to be a gelatin silver photograph rather than an albumen print.
A small portrait of a girl by the studio of Carl Thiel, made in Duluth, although he also had a studio in Hibbing for a while. This pretty young lady seems to display some attitude in her direct yet somewhat askance gaze. This appears to be a gelatin silver photograph rather than an albumen print.
In a somewhat careless move, the photographer pasted this portrait onto the backing card upside-down. I wonder if the subject noticed or cared about this minor lack of quality control.
In a somewhat careless move, the photographer pasted this portrait onto the backing card upside-down. I wonder if the subject noticed or cared about this minor lack of quality control.
Portrait of a girl made in the Duluth studio of Carl Thiel.
Portrait of a girl made in the Duluth studio of Carl Thiel.
The logo of the Carl Thiel's Duluth studio, enclosed within an artist's palette
The logo of the Carl Thiel’s Duluth studio, enclosed within an artist’s palette
A head and shoulders portrait of a boy in a buttoned-up overcoat with an oval window mat by Theil's Studio branding. The studio address was 105-107 Superior Street in Duluth.
A head and shoulders portrait of a boy in a buttoned-up overcoat with an oval window mat by Theil’s Studio branding. The studio address was 105-107 Superior Street in Duluth, which places the date of this photo between 1891 and 1901.
A detail look at the Thiel's Studio logo foil stamped in silver onto the bottom right corner of this cabinet card.
A detail look at the Thiel’s Studio logo foil stamped in silver onto the bottom right corner of this cabinet card.

Carl Thiel worked as a photographer between the 1880s and the 1910s. He held a patent on a hand crank mechanism used to turn a rotating mount for an Eastman Kodak Panoramic camera. 

Carl Thiel’s studio was located on Ingalls Block, in Duluth, between 1887 and 1891. His studio moved to 105 West Superior, in Duluth, between 1891 and 1901. It is also known that he had a studio in Hibbing, Minnesota, in 1914.

Thiel was particularly interested in making motion pictures of the mining industry around Duluth and he testified on behalf of workers in a contentious miner’s strike in 1917. 

Thiel was a former actor, and possibly a lady’s man. I found a newspaper article that said he was sued by a man for $15,000 in damages (a lot of money in 1907 dollars) for stealing a married man’s wife. In those days you could get sued for such things. No word on how the lawsuit came out.

Zenith Gallery

Next to the Opera House in Duluth

I have been unable to learn about the Zenith Gallery. My searches have been complicated by the fact that Zenith is a common name for businesses of many types in Duluth even now.

Portrait of a woman in a richly patterned dress sitting on a garden wall, made by the Zenith Gallery in Duluth. Date unknown, but probably 1870s-1880s.
Portrait of a woman in a richly patterned dress sitting on a garden wall, made by the Zenith Gallery in Duluth. Date unknown, but probably 1870s-1880s. The back of the cabinet card is blank.

The Zweises Studio

Duluth

Portrait of a man wearing a suit and overcoat, gelatin silver photograph set inside an oval mat, photograph by The Zweises Studio in Duluth. He's wearing an oval tie pin just below the knot in his necktie. The presentation makes it seem to be a match to the female portrait below.
Portrait of a man wearing a suit and overcoat, gelatin silver photograph set inside an oval mat, photograph by The Zweises Studio in Duluth. He’s wearing an oval tie pin just below the knot in his necktie. The presentation makes it seem to be a match to the female portrait below.
Matching portrait of a young woman wearing a velvet dress, set inside an oval mat, photograph by The Zweises Studio in Duluth.
Matching portrait of a young woman wearing a velvet dress, set inside an oval mat, photograph by The Zweises Studio in Duluth.

Sources

  1. Minnesota Historical Society, Directory of Minnesota Photographers
  2. Wikipedia, “W.H. Jacoby”
  3. Minnesota History, “Working the Light: Nineteenth-Century Professional Photographers in Minnesota,” Bonnie G. Wilson, Pgs 52-53, accessed via JSTOR on September 19, 2022
  4. Placeography, “W.H. Jacoby & Son, 250-252 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota, (Razed)”

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1 comment

  1. St Paul Boudoir Photography says:

    This is a fascinating glimpse into Minnesota’s photographic history! Seeing these old photos really brings the past to life. As a general contractor, I’m particularly interested in the architectural details captured in some of these images.

    Are there any specific photographers or collections you recommend for finding historical photos that showcase the development of construction or building styles in Minnesota? It would be a great way to see how building techniques have evolved over time.

    https://www.stpaulboudoirphotography.com/

    Reply

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