Pullman Palace Car : Interior Photo w. Opulent Rococo-Style Decor

Pullman Palace Car Company

Published by n.p.

About this Item

A circa late 1880s, 8x10 mounted collodion photograph of the interior of a Pullman "Palace" car. The luxurious fittings and decor suggest that the photographed car belonged to either a Gilded Age Robber Baron in the U.S., or European royalty, such as the Romanov's, who had similar cars for their Imperial train built by Pullman. We find no comparable images online of this French influenced, Rococo-style decor used in other Pullman Palace cars. As this photo is uncredited, we date it circa late 1880s from a book visible one on of the library shelves "The Makers of Venice : Doges, Conquerors, Painters, and Men of Letters" by Mrs. Oliphant (Macmillan in 1887) and assume that the owner may have hired their own private photographer. Also, Pullman had hired Wylie Dennison as their full-time photographer in 1888, and he was known to name, number and sign his negatives "WD". The image is perhaps somewhat overexposed near the windows - an effect of the strong natural light pouring in - but it still retains all of it's sharpness and rich chocolate tones. A peek through 19th century curtains into a beautifully liveried train carriage, showing a lifestyle enjoyed and known to but a few. Ask about our other available Pullman Palace Car photos.

Seller Inventory # 4880

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Pullman Palace Car : Interior Photo w. Opulent Rococo-Style Decor
• Publisher: n.p.
• Binding: Mounted Photograph
• Condition: Fine
• Seller catalogs:
  • Aviation, Auto, Maritime, Military & Railways
  • Film & Photography