Figure 1.--CDVs in America rapidly declined in popularity after the appearance of the larger cabinet card (1866). They did not, however, disappear. This CDV portrait of Jesse Bell was taken in 1884. Note that this was a very basic studio. In Europe, CDVs continued to be very popular into the early-20th century.

Major differences developed between photography in American and Europe during the 1870s. The cabinet card was the dominant photographic format in America by the 1880s. We still see some CDVs in America. A good example is Jesse Bell in 1884 (figure 1). CDVs although not rare in the American photographic record, were much less common than cabinet cards. Assessing prevalence, however, is complicated by the fact that so few CDVs are dated. While not very common in America, CDVs were still common in Europe. Cabinet cards did not largely replace the CDV as was the case in America. We are not sure why this very apparent disparity developed. Some possible reasons occur to us. Increasing American affluence may be a factor. Cabinet cards were a little more expensive. Perhaps more conservative European society was slower to change. But in fact we have no real idea concerning this difference. We note a far greater prevalence of CDVs in Europe than America. We do not yet have details on the trends in specific European countrues. This seems to have beemn a general trend in Europe, especially England, France, and Germsny. There may have been some exceotion among the smaller ciuntries.

America

Major differences developed between photography in American and Europe during the 1870s and became even less common in the 1880s. The cabinet card was the dominant photographic format in America by the 1880s. We still see some CDVs in America. A good example is Henry Gates Hayes in Dover, New Hampshire. Quite a few of the CDVs we find cane from New England. Another example is Jesse Bell in 1884 (figure 1). CDVs although not rare in the American photographic record, were much less common than cabinet cards. Assessing prevalence, however, is complicated by the fact that so few CDVs are dated. While not very common in America, CDVs were still common in Europe. Cabinet cards did not largely replace the CDV as was the case in America. We are not sure why this very apparent disparity developed. Some possible reasons occur to us. Increasing American affluence may be a factor. Cabinet cards were a little more expensive. Perhaps more conservative European society was slower to change. But in fact we have no real idea concerning this difference.

England

France

Germany

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Created: 12:34 AM 6/18/2010
Last updated: 6:59 AM 9/6/2011