The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

SOLD

The next image for your music room is here!

Play That Barbershop Chord!
I challenge you to find another image like it near its age.
$60 plus shipping. SOLD

The visible image is 9 ⅜” x 7 ⅜”, with matting roughly 13” x 10.5”, matting cracked beyond image.

Faintly written on the back of the photograph is …
W C Agner barber shop
Barber Shop Medford Oregon
… I possibly found him owning a shop with a partner in 1913.
Discovery...

The photographers Elton E. Kunselman & John O. Gerking were partners in 1912 & 1913 only. Their studio was at 128 E. Main in Medford, Oregon.

Medford was a boomtown. In 1913 the population was 10,500. It was the best paved city in the world (for its size). It was a railroad stop and the gateway to Crater Lake National Park.

From the 1912 Jackson County Directory
• William C. Agner was a barber listed as working at H C Workman Barbershop
• Harry C Workman’s Barbershop is at 113 E Main (across the street from Kunselman & Gerking Photographers)
• Other listed employees of Workman are barbers William H. Schulz and Nathan W. Slusser, and bootblacks Edward Henderson and William Shaftner
I found this image of Nathan W. Slusser https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Slusser-235#Biography

From the 1914 Jackson County Directory
• H C Workman is absent from the directory
• Kennedy & Agner paid $100 taxes jointly (Did they take Workman’s shop in 1913?)
• Barbers Noe & Stephenson are now listed as new owners at 113 E. Main

The 1916 Directory has no further mention of Agner, Kennedy, or Workman.

Thanks for looking!
James.

That is an amazing photograph! And what great research you've done. A real slice of history.

Dear James,

Sold! (If not already thus nabbed!) I will “PM” as well.

With all very warmest, as always,

Chris W.