Benjamin Fowler

photographer: Fowler
238 N 8th, Philadelphia, PA
example from LOST GALLEY

Benjamin W Fowler
(1868 – 1933)

1868 Oct 26
Woodbury, NJ, state records, Benjamin Wilkins Fowler is born to Benjamin Fowler and Sarah Jane Pedrick
1886, 1887, 1890, 1891
Philadelphia, PA, city directory, Benjamin W Fowler NOT listed
1890
Philadelphia, PA, 1900 US census, Benjamin Fowler and Lillian Maude Brubaker are married
1892, 1893, 1894, 1895
Philadelphia, PA, city directory, Benjamin W photographer at 238 N 8th; res 1207 Race
1896 to 1930
Philadelphia, PA, city directory, Benjamin W Fowler as photographer at 238 N 8th; res 1831 N Franklin
1931-1933
NO additional information has been found
1933 Aug 04
Philadelphia, PA, state records, Benjamin Fowler dies at age 64

So for 38 years, 1892 to 1930, B W Fowler studio was at the same address.

During 1894, he apparently had Jesse P Starr working in the studio. The imprint reads “Successor to Fowler” but that is probably just temporary hype. The association only appears that one year.

If you have a card with an imprint similar to the example at the top, you’re in luck! It was finished in 1894.

But, if you have a card that is imprinted only with the Fowler address of 238 N Eighth Street, it could have been finished any time between 1892 and 1930.

Note this Fowler is NOT the same as the Fowler that worked in Lancaster, PA.

For more on the partner mentionioned in 1885 - 1886, see Jesse Starr of Philadelphia, PA.

These are by Benjamin Fowler at 238 North 8th

photographer: Fowler
238 N Eighth, philadelphia, PA
example from auction site

reverse of card at left

photographer: Fowler
238 N Eighth, philadelphia, PA
example from auction site

reverse of card at left

photographer: Fowler
238 N Eighth, philadelphia, PA
example from auction site
(NOT a cabinet card)

photographer: Fowler
238 N Eighth, philadelphia, PA
example from auction site

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.

Additional 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.
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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.