Robert Irving Dabb

Photographer: Dabb
Le Mars. IA

Photographer: Dabb
Le Mars. IA

These two cabinet cards could possibly be done by
James Vivien Dabb (1856 - 1918)
1856
(US Census) Born Prince Edward Island, Canada
1859
(US Census) Immigrates to US age 3
1860
(US Census) Living in New Jersey
1880
(US Census) as photographer in Mineral Point Iowa
1884 - 1885
(Iowa Gazetteer) as photographer in Le Mars, Iowa
1886
(US Census) Marriage to Alice Charles in Fort Scott, Kansas
1889 - 1911
(City Directory, US Census) as photographer in Fort Scott, Kansas
1918
Death at age 61
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Here is another example from Dabb's Studio circa 1906 (second picture down)

And another example from Dabb's Studio Le Mars, IA, circa 1899. (Second picture down)

Robert Irwin Dabb (1862 - 1910)
Robert I. Dabb was probably the photographer for this cabinet card. He spent most of his photographic career in Le Mars, Iowa.
1862
(US Census) Born in New Jersey
1879 - 1880
(Nebr State Census, US Census) living in Plattsmouth, Nebr.
1885 - 1910
(City Directory and US Census) As photographer in Le Mars, Iowa
1910
Death at age 47

James and Robert were living briefly in the same house in Le Mars, Iowa, in 1884-85.
Were they brothers? No. Robert Irwin Dabb was the son of Thomas Seacombe Carveth Dabb who was the brother of James Vivian Dabb. Oddly, there was only six years difference in their age.
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An example was also found by an R. I. Dabb of Le Mars, IA, from the "late 1800's".

Updated: 14 Aug 2018

Photographer R I Dabb
LeMars, IA
example from auction site

reverse of the card at the left

photographer: Dabb
LE Mars,IA
example from pinterest

Not the one you were looking for? Here's the photographer's INDEX by name. All the Cabinet Card photographers of the 19th century found in LOST GALLERY are listed there.

This is a work always in progress.

Aditional information and new examples are always welcome. Any additional information will help narrow the time that these precious antiques were made.

All submissions should be free of glare and shadows.
Do not crop.
Leave a border around each card. The edges are sometimes an important clue to the age of the card.
Email to the address found in the profile at the bottom of this page.

Some examples on this page have been enhanced or restored for clarity and presentation here.

This page is free for educational and research purposes only but, as always, if the original owner of any of these examples objects to the use on this page, just let me know and they will be immediately removed.