Photographer: Gilbert and Bacon
40 N 8th ST. and 820 Arch St
Philadel'a
example rom LOST GALLERY
reverse of the card at the left
Gilbert and Bacon Studio and Gilbert Studios Inc
Active Years ---
William Frank Bacon (1870 - 1900)
Conrad Miller Gilbert (1875 - 1911)
Milton Hemperly (1895 - )
Frank T. Bacon (1900 - )
Clara Gilbert (1912-1921)
The Gilbert and Bacon studio was responsible for many portraits of
actors, athletes and other celebrities in the cabinet card era.
Surviving photographs are sometimes valued in the hundreds of dollars.
Their success might also be measured by the fact that no newspaper
advertising was found for either, Also Gilbert appears to have owned
some race horses and was mention in several places about attending
races.
Accounts of the life of William Frank Bacon do not always agree
exactly. The following timeline gathers what seems to be the best
accounting of the studios that involved W F Bacon and C M Gilbert
There are several examples of the work of Gilbert and Bacon studios at
Cabinet Card Gallery
Timeline
Sources: US census, city directories,
Historical Ziegfield Group
New Found Photography
Broadway.cas.sc.edu
1843 Jun 06
Bangor, ME, William Frank Bacon was born
1847 Nov 30
Conrad Miller Gilbert is born in Montgomery Co., PA
1865 - 1870
New York, NY, at the close of the US civil war W F Bacon began
studying photography at the studio of Gurney and Son. He apparently
worked in several studios in New York. Finally, W F Bacon joins the
studio of A K P Trask at 40 N 8th st, Philadelphia, PA
1870 circa
Philadelphia, PA,
A K P Trask
invites Bacon to become partner in his studio at 40 n 8th st in
Philadelphia
1875
Philadelphia, PA, the gallery of Trask is bought out by Conrad M
Gilbert and the partnership of Gilbert and Bacon begins, operating at
40 N 8th st
- continued next row -
1878
Gilbert and Bacon admitted to membership in the Philadelphia
Photographic Society
1880
Philadelphia, PA, city diretory, Gilbert and Bacon begin operations at 40 N 8th AND 820 Arch
1883 Feb 28
Philadelphia, PA, 1900 US census, Philadelphia Times news item, Conrad
Gilbert marries Clara B Underwood
1883
Philadelphia, PA, Milton R Hemperly of Providence, RI, joins the
studio
1886
Philadelphia, PA, C M Gilbert leaves the partnership (one account says
he retires) opening his own Gilbert Photography Inc. studio at
926 Chestnut; In addition to the studio at 820 Arch st, Bacon opens a
second studio at 1030 Chestnut st and retains the business name
Gilbert and Bacon Studio
1889
Philadelphia, PA, city directory, Gilbert and Bacon discontinue the 40 N 8th location
1886-1900
Philadelphia, PA, W F Bacon operates the studio at 1030 Chestnut while
Hemperly continues at the Arch st studio both under brand name Gilbert
and Bacon
1893 (circa)
Philadelphia, PA, Conrad M Gilbert is credited alone on a cabinet card
at 926 Chestnut
1893
Milton R Hemperly leaves the studio; W F Bacon has contracted Bright’s
Disease and begins turning over the day to day operation of the
Chestnut studio to his son Frank T Bacon with the assistance of Milton
R Hemperly
1895
Philadelphia, PA, Hemperly buys the Arch st location and continues as
an independent operator
1900 Jul
Philadelphia, PA, W F Bacon’s son Frank T Bacon takes over the studio
at 1030 Chestnut st, with the assistance of Milton R Hemperly and
others, maintaining the brand name Gilbert and Bacon
1900 Sep 13
Philadelphia, PA, W Frank Bacon dies at home of Bright’s disease
1900-1905
Philadelphia, PA, city directory C M Gilbert as photographer 926
Chestnut; res The Bartram
1908
Philadelphia, PA, city directory C M Gilbert as Pres of Gilbert Studio
Inc; res 1210 Chestnut
1910-1911
Philadelphia, PA, city directory Conrad Gilbert as president; res 310
s 40th
1911 Jul 28
Conrad Miller Gilbert dies of chronic Bronchitis at Cap May, NJ
1912
Philadelphia, PA, city directory Gilbert Studios Inc at 926 Chestnut;
Clara B Gilbert as president
1913
Philadelphia, PA, city directory Gilbert Studios Inc at 926 Chestnut;
C B Gilbert pres, Herbert Lackman, vice pres;
1914
Philadelphia, PA, city directory Gilbert Studios Inc at 926 Chestnut;
Clara B Gilbert listed as president of Gilbert Studio, 926 Chestnut;
res The Bertram
1916 - 1921
Philadelphia, PA, city directory Gilbert Photography Inc, 926
Chestnut, operated by Clara B Gilbert (one listing as Sec/Treas); res
The Bertram
(Note: Not all sources of information agree exactly on dates and places, so there is some overlap of dates and events.)
Summary
The Gilbert and Bacon studio :
1875 - 1886 operated by C M Gilbert and W F Bacon
1880 - 1888 Studios in city directory listed at 820 Arch and 40 N 8th
1886 - 1895 studio at 820 (or 830, depending on source) Arch
operated by Milton Hemperly
1887 - 1900 studio at 1030 Chestnut operated by W F Bacon
1900 - ?- studio at 1030 Chestnut operated by Frank T Bacon
The Gilbert Studio Inc
1886 - 1911 studio at 926 Chestnut operated by C M Gilbert
1911 - ?- studio at 926 Chestnut operated by Clara B Gilbert
vol 24 - 1900
Philadelphia Inquirer - 29 Jul 1911
It appears that the photographer Conrad Gilbert might have been a bit high strung.
This one is dated 1892
photographer: Gilbert and Bacon
1030 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia
1887-1900
From the collection of KEN on Flickr
photographer: Gilbert and Bacon
40 N Eighth and 820 Arch, Philadelphia
example from Cabinet Card Gallery
Photographer:
Gilbert & Bacon
1030 Chestnut and 820 Arc st, Philadelphia
Example from auction site
photographer: Gilbert and Bacon
40 N Eighth, Philadelphia, PA
example from pinterest
This one is dated 1888
photographer: Gilbert and Bacon
Philadelphia
example from auction site
photographer: Gilbert and Bacon
Philadelphia
example from auction site
photographer: Gilbert and Bacon
Philadelphia
example from auction site
photographer: Gilbert Studio, C M Gilbert
North F and Eleventh Street, Washington, DC
example from auction site
reverse of the card on the left
photographer Gilbert Studio, C M Gilbert
North F and 11th street, Washington, DC
example from auction site
reverse of card at left
Cor F and eleventh Sts, Wasington, D C example from WIkimedia
photographer: Gilbert and Bacon820 Arch Street and 40 N Eighth,
Philadelphia, PA
example from pin -no source shown-
(really poor scan)
820 Arch and 40 N 8th St, Philadelphia, PA
example from auction site
The example at the right is a card done while Gilbert and Bacon operated at 1030 Chestnut and 820 Arch.
Can anyone identify the uniform?
photographer: Gilbert and Bacon1030 Chestnut Street and 820 Arch, Philadelphia
example from Groovychikita
(The uniform as yet has gone unidentifed.)
reverse of card at left
The example at the right shows the 1030 Chestnut Street address on the front and both the Chestnut address and the 820 Arch address on the reverse.
The portrait appears to be done after 1900. The identity of the gentleman is unknown. Can you idenfify him?
photographer: Gilbert and Bacon1030 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
example from contributor S Allison
Reverse of card at left
photographer: Conrad Miller Gilbert
1126 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA
Example from auction site
reverse of the card at the left
photographer" Gilbert and Bacon1030 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
example from Anticuria
photographer" Gilbert and Bacon
1030 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
example from auction site
Photographer:
Gilbert & Bacon
40 n 8th and 820 Arch st
Philadelphia
New addition from LOST GALLERY
Photographer:
Gilbert & Bacon
40 n 8th and 820 Arch st
Philadelphia
New addition from LOST GALLERY
photographer: Gilbert and Bacon
820 Arch & No 40 N 8th, Philadelphia, PA
example from auction site
photographer: Gilbert and Bacon
40 n 8th & 820 Arch, Philadelphia, PA
example from auction site
This card was probably finished around 1870
when Gilbert was still at 40 N 8th
photographer: Gilbert and Bacon
40 n 8th & 820 Arch, Philadelphia, PA
example from Rssing.com, no source credit given
This card was probably finished around 1870
when Gilbert was still at 40 N 8th
photographer Gilbert and Bacon
820 Arch Street & 40 N 8th, Philadelphia, PA
example from auction site
photographer Gilbert and Bacon
820 Arch Street & 40 N 8th, Philadelphia, PA
example from auction site
photographer Gilbert and Bacon
820 Arch Street & 40 N 8th, Philadelphia, PA
example from auction site
photographer Gilbert and Bacon
This is probably a reprint for novelty shops and carnivals
example from auction site
photographer Gilbert and Bacon
1030 Chestnut and 820 Arch, Philadelphia, PA
example from auction site
Photographer: Gilbert and Bacon
820 Arch & 40 N 8th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Example from auction site
photographer: Gilbert and Bacon
820 Arch & 40 n 8th street, Philadelphia, PA
Probably finished around 1875
example from auction site
photographer: Gilbert and Bacon
820 Arch & 40 n 8th street, Philadelphia, PA
Probably finished around 1875
example from pinterest
photogrpher: C M Gilbert
926 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
example from auction site
photographer: C M Gilbert926 Chestnut, Philadelphia, PA
example from auction site
reverse of card at left
photographer: C M Gilbert
926 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
1912-1921
From the collection of KEN on Flickr
photogrpher: C M Gilbert
926 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
example from auction site
photographer C M Gilbert
926 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
example from auction site
photographer: The Gilbert Studio
926 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia
1912-1921
From the collection of KEN on Flickr
photographer: C M Gilbert
926 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
example from Library Company of Philadelphia, digital collections
photographer: C M Gilbert
926 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
example from pintereest
photographer: Gilbert and Bacon
1030 Chestnut St and 820 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA
example from auction site
Gilbert and Bacon1030 Chestnut St. and 820 Arch St.
Philadelphia, PA
Finished probably between 1886 and 1900
example from an auction site
photographer: Gilbert and Bacon
1030 Chestnut and 820 Arch St
Philadelphia, PA
Finished probably between 1886 and 1900
example from auction site
Gilbert and Bacon1030 Chestnut St. and 820 Arch St.
Philadelphia, PA
Finished probably between 1886 and 1900
example from an auction site
820 Arch and 40 N 8th St, Philadelphia, PA
from contributor R Clark
This is a group photograph sent in by a contributor. It is not a
cabinet card but is from the Gilbert studio at 926 Chestnut Street,
Philadelphia, PA, Washington and Atlantic City.
The signature in the lower right corner could be G W Gilbert. Conrad
Gilbert had a brother named George Washington Gilbert but no records
have been found to indicate that George ever worked as a photographer.
The signature here does not match a signature by Conrad Gilbert, found
on a passport application from
Best guess for a date on this photograph is around 1910. Any
suggestions are welcome.
Sticker on cover
Conrad Gilbert signature from passport application 1873
photographer: A K P Trask
1210 Chestnut
example from 19th Century Photographers
Gilbert works with Trask around 1865-1870
Reverse of the card at the left
Cyclone, KY
example from auction site
(note: so far no connection has been found with Frank Bacon)
The photograph at the left is not a cabinet card but is an important example of the work of Gilbert. The dimensions of the card are approximately 8.5 X 11 inches. The subject is said to be Helen Keller and Joseph Jefferson. Source Art Nelson Atkins.org
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.
How do I find out if a 10x8 photo taken by A. K. P. TRASK 40 N 8th St. Philadelphia Pa. depicting 4 men two seated with one holding a book & two standing one looks like
ReplyDelete"John Wilkes Booth" this Philadelphia studio moved shortly after Lincoln's assignation
NOTE:I reached the cabinet design on the back of the photo and there is no record/listing depicting the design on the back of mine.
Additionally this photo was hidden behind a framed sampler dated 1631
Who can I have look at what I believe is a HISTORICAL FIND
Thanks
Thanks for your comment.
DeleteA K P Trask can be documented as working at 40 N Eighth, in Philadelphia, between 1867 and 1875. So unless he was using up old pre-printed stock cards after he had moved his studio, the photo was taken between those dates. https://cabinetcardphotographers.blogspot.com/2018/05/albion-k-p-trask.html
John W Booth died in April of 1865, in Virginia. In 1865, the Trask studio was at 159 N Eighth, PHiladelphia.
I can’t help much beyond that. I can tell you what I would do if I had the photograph. I would get a good clear scan or photo of your historical find and post it in the various history oriented sites around the net. There are a lot of really well studied scholars out there. Someone will know.
Facebook has a number of “groups” that might help. There are groups for American History, Lincoln, the Civil War, and just Historic Photographs.
Thanks again and good luck!
Hello -
ReplyDeleteCan you tell me when Frank Bacon moved the Gilbert & Bacon photography studio to 1624 Chestnut Street in Philadelphia? It would have been some time between 1900 and 1910, but I'd like to know the specific year, if possible.
Thank you!
Thanks for your question. I went back through the city directories available to me, from 1899 through 1911 and could not find that address associated with Bacon or Gilbert. The only possibility I can think of is that a branch location might have been opened for a few months between city directory publications. Thanks again.
DeleteI have a gilbert and bacon photograph with a 1624 chestnut street address would you like a copy for your site?
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment. Yes, I always welcome contributions and additions. Email a good scan, including the edges, no cropping, to the address in the profile near the bottom of this page. Let me know how you would like the credit line to read. Thanks again!
DeleteWilliam Frank Bacon was born June 6, 1843 and died September 13, 1900
ReplyDeleteYou have him being born 1870 above.
Best Regards
My bad - I see now that you listed his active days at the studio (1870) - not his birth date.
ReplyDeleteMy apologizes.
Thanks for the tip. I tried to clear it up a bit.
DeleteHow do I email a scan? I can't find an address. I've a photo of a young man in an unidentified uniform (the vignette makes it a little blury) but I'd love to submit it. It's from Gilbert Bacon- and has the same back as one of the photos above. I really can't identify what the uniform is.
ReplyDeleteThanks, all contributions are welcome! The email address is in the profile at the bottom of this page.
DeleteIs there any way to identify subjects of Gilbert & Bacon gem photos ca.1897 of the U or Penn football team? (ID numbers in pencil on the backs are in the 20400-2153 range)
ReplyDeleteGood question. Sorry, I don't know of any way. I'll bet there is quite a bit of interest in those old sports photographs.
DeleteI have a book of photos, on the back of the photos is written 8924 12 what dies that mean? how do I find out who the people are in the photos
ReplyDeleteI have a book of photos on the back of the phots it has numbers 8924 12 and others have 12154 does anyone know the meaning and how to find who the phots are of?
ReplyDeleteI would have to see the photographs and the markings. I am not sure I could add anything even then.
DeleteI believe the only known photo of Harriet Jacobs was taken at Gilbert Studios, along with a photo of Helen Keller with Joseph Jefferson. The same chair seems to be used in both photos despite being taken about 8 years apart. Happy to supply the links if you are looking to add more photos!
ReplyDeleteAlways looking for more examples! See the email address in profile at the bottom of this page!
Delete