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Dream Studio

Dear Mr. Coney Island...
I have a picture of my husband's grandparents taken when they were "courting" sometime between 1909 - 1911. The post card-photo was taken at Dream Studio in Coney Island. Is there anything you can tell me about the studio or proprietor: H. Tarr? They are in a car. she is behind the wheel on the right side of the auto, both are wearing hats) hers is a large flowery one, his is a straw hat and there appears to be a "fake" white dog on the hood of the "car". Anything you can tell me about the studio. photographer or picture would be appreciated. I can forward a copy if that would help. Thank you.
- Cathy Sperling

Hello Cathy,

Mr. Tarr operated a souvenir photo postcard business called the Dream Studio on Surf Avenue at West 6th Street below the Pike's Peak Roller Coaster. The studio had numerous full size props including an early automobile and a Wright Brothers style airplane. We have many of his images in our archive and the little white shaggy dog is a constant in these photos. Many of the studios had silly toy props that were used to loosen up the subjects as their photo was taken.

The Dream Studio was destroyed in the 1911 Dreamland fire but reopened shortly after with a new painted backdrop that depicted the burned out ruins of the park. The enclosed photo shows the Dream Studio below the Pike's Peak Railway (circled). The entrance to Dreamland is at right and the Iron Tower is behind Pike's.

Attached is another photo of the little white dog!

,

Comments

Submitted by Ross Day (not verified) on Sat, 03/16/2013 - 14:20

I have been collecting RPPCs of studio portraits, presumably from Coney Island. I have wondered about matching the prop automobiles (and their fake license plates) to the specific studio. This is a great hint to the Dream Studio, thanks! Any chance of tracking down the others?

Submitted by Lynda Arledge (not verified) on Fri, 05/13/2016 - 09:30

Hello,
I have a small photo of my great grandmother. It is undated, but on the back, in, I assume, the photography studios print, it says:

H. TARR,
176 BROAD ST,
NEWARK.N.J

Can you tell me anything about this studio?

Thank you so much,
Lynda Arledge

Submitted by Debra Duran (not verified) on Fri, 09/23/2016 - 19:13

The only known photo of my great grandfather is in that famous car and white dog. A postcard sent to my grandmother while courting. They married, had three sons, and he died during the 1918 flu epidemic when my Dad was two years old. My grandfather apparently had a few photos done that day, which he mailed to my grandmother. She never received any except the one in my possession. Since this turns out to be the only photo of him, it would be wonderful if there were any photos saved from those days. Are you aware of any archived photos?
Thank you.

Submitted by Caitlan Tarr (not verified) on Mon, 09/18/2017 - 02:38

You say H. Tarr, do you mean Halley Tarr? As in H. Tarr, INC.? If so, what other information do you have on him? I would like to learn more.

Submitted by CK (not verified) on Wed, 01/17/2018 - 19:32

I have a photograph that says “H. Tarr 500 Fulton Street Brooklyn, NY”.

Is there any way to get a timeframe for this one? Thanks.

Submitted by elaine (not verified) on Thu, 10/28/2021 - 12:20

My mother found a 1910 era family postcard from 'The Tarr Studio, 6 East 14th Street, New York City, NY. It is undated, and the postcard side is blank. We aren't sure who the woman is on the other side of the postcard, almost certainly a relative from Poland, but we can't identify her.
We assume that this Tarr studio is related to the one in Coney Island and elsewhere. Can anyone comment?

Submitted by Joannie (not verified) on Mon, 01/02/2023 - 10:41

Hello, I have two photos of my grandmother and dad and his brother. One is from July 1916 at S. Tarr 164 West 125 th street in NY and the other from around 1935, H Tarr - 1395 Nicholas Ave. New York. I wonder if the two are related or same person.

Submitted by G Marcus (not verified) on Sun, 01/14/2024 - 11:05

Is there a way to send you a photo? I have an undated postcard photo. It is slightly damaged, so I can't see the name of the studio, but the address is Surf Ave., Coney Island, so I suspect it is from the same studio. The people are in an automobile and there is an obviously painted background. It looks similar, but not identical, but that could be because the photo was taken from a different angle (the side of the car rather than the front).

I thought you might want to have it for your collection. I tried to upload it, but couldn't. If you send me an email addresss, I can mail it to you.

Submitted by Pete (not verified) on Sat, 05/04/2024 - 05:42

I have a photo of my grandparents with subject name on back with address below name listed as 56-51 Myrtle Ave, Ridgewood (NY). I'm guessing circa the early 1950's.

I'd welcome any insights as to the studio and when i operated at that address.

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