Victorian times on Mackinac Island, Michigan
Toronto. The photograph at left is taken from a postcard made from a photograph by W H Gardiner. It is used as the cover shot for issue 24-2. The image introduces a lengthy illustrated article by a lady who once summered on the Michigan island.
Editor Lansdale adds this comment about the photo, “Some 3000 glass negatives by Canadian born William Henry Gardiner are now preserved by the Mackinac State Historic Parks at Mackinac Island, Michigan. See page 8 for the story of this 1890s photograph, now reproduced as a postcard emulating the photographer’s hand-tinted prints.”
At one time it was easy to cross back and forth between the States and Canada. The States, having a far bigger population was a magnet for Canadians who were prospering but wanted to have a greater market for their art/products.
Ms Lisa Dziabis Calache titles her article (© 1998), “William Henry Gardiner (1861–1935); An Early Canadian/American Photographer”.
She begins the article with this brief précis, “William Henry Gardiner was an early Canadian/American photographer whose career spanned half a century. On occasion, his studio portraits and hand coloured photographs are still found in both Canada and the United States. To date nothing has been written about his life and career, but his work certainly demonstrates a talent worthy of investigation and recognition. Gardiner’s portraits capture unspoken qualities of the individuals and times while his hand coloured photographs are remarkably beautiful, being similar in style to the work of Wallace Nutting who specialized in New England genre scenes which have become collector’s favourites.”
Members read this article and more in the pdf file for issue 24-2 on the free members-only DVD/thumb drive. See above or at right to join/renew. Email any questions to Lilianne at member@phsc.ca.
