Saturday, March 21, 2026

F F Mettner of Lawrence KS



photographer: Mettner
Lawrence, KS
example from contributor

Francis F Mettner established a gallery on MMMMM Street in Lawrence, KS, in 1879 and his studio remained in the same location until his death in 1915. He had an interesting history before moving to Kansas.

Lawrence (KS) Weekly Journal
1896 Aug 01
Lawrence (KS) Daily Gazette -
16 Dec 1915
photographer: F F Mettner
Lawrence, KS
example from auction site
photographer: F F Mettner
Lawrence, KS
example from pinerest
photographer: F F Mettner
Lawrence, KS
example from auction site
reverse of card at left
photographer: F F Mettner
Lawrence, KS
example from auction site
photographer: F F Mettner
Lawrence, KS
example from pinerest
photographer: F F Mettner
Lawrence, KS
example from pinerest
reverse of card at left
photographer: F F Mettner
Lawrence, KS
example from pinerest
photographer: F F Mettner
Lawrence, KS
example from auction site
photographer: F F Mettner
Lawrence, KS
example from Blogs Library KU Spencer
photographer: Mettner
Lawrence, KS
example from contributor


Included on this special set of pages are Cabinet Card examples from just one state, Kansas. A sort of index. They are presented here in alphabetical order according to location.

Why Kansas?

In 1865, when the Cabinet Card size for photo mounts began its popularity, Kansas had only been a state for 4 years. Even today there are more than 400 towns with a population less than 400. Back then, even more. Where a Cabinet Card carries the name of the photographer and the town where he was working, the dates of city incorporation will be one clue to the date of the cabinet card.

Cabinet Cards were so popular and well known that in some photographer’s newspaper ads of the era, they were referred to merely as “Cabs”.

Most say they eventually surpassed the popularity of the Carte de Viste format. See a brief history of the Carte de Viste.

Photographers often lived and based in a larger town and “worked” the neighboring smaller towns monthly or weekly. The passenger trains were very handy back then.

Where further information on a photographer is known, a link will be provided.

The central purpose in these pages is to help place a date on cabinet cards done by various photographers in various places. Here’s hoping you spot a card design or imprint that will help you date and identify that card in your collection.

These pages are for educational and informational purposes only. Any helpful suggestions are welcomed.

Kansas Cities, Towns, Burgs and Whistlestops in the late 19th century.

Promoting the care, understanding and collection of this unique format of 19th century photography. They are more than 100 years old. Handle with care.

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.

See also:
Owlcation is an excellent site which examines the Kansas photographers of the 19th century. Follow this link

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.

Cabinet cards typically have the photographer’s name and address printed on the bottom edge or the reverse of the card. 19th century photographers moved around a lot. The basic idea here is to find WHEN a photographer was WHERE, which will help date an unidentified CABINET CARD from your family album.

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.

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I am 4' 3", eat small insects, dress in the dark and take annual showers. phase65@yahoo.com