Name/Title
Courtesy card of D.S. Gaster, Supt .of Police, New Orleans, La. for John W. Miller of Hoboken, n.d, ca. 1891-1898.Entry/Object ID
2009.016.0008Scope and Content
Calling card of D[exter].S[idney]. Gaster, Superintendent of Police, New Orleans, La. serving as a courtesy card for John W. Miller [of 716 Bloomfield St., Hoboken.] No date, circa 1891-1898. Hand-done, ink lettered cardstock, 2-3/16" x 3-1/2" wide; reverse has signed penciled note: "to any Police officer if you can assist Mr. John W. Miller do so, D.S. Gaster."
Superintendent was then the title of the Chief of Police. Gaster was appointed in 1891 and died in office, August 13, 1901.
Miller's purpose for being in New Orleans is not known. He was once an employee of the New York Cinematograph Co., an early company that made motion pictures (see obituary, archives 2009.016.0006.) He went to Havana to film the U.S.S. Maine which would have been circa late February or early March in 1898 (theatre presentations for late March are on record.) According to his August 1899 obituary, he became ill on that trip and it appears he would not have traveled much after that date.
Whether New Orleans was a place he once traveled to on behalf of the film company is unknown. If he was there on business for the company it would not have been earlier than ca. 1896 because the "cinematograph" or "cinematographe" (motion picture or film camera or projector) was based on an 1892-1894 invention which did not have a commercial debut in Europe until Dec. 28, 1895. It was apparently introduced soon thereafter in America with June, 1896 showings recorded. This could narrow the date range of this item to circa 1896-1898.
From the family papers of his daughters, Florence and Madeline Miller.Acquisition
Accession
2009.016Source or Donor
Tramer, Charles J. & Balogh, FrankAcquisition Method
GiftCredit Line
Gift of Charles J. Tramer & Frank Balogh.Archive Details
Date(s) of Creation
1891 - 1898Archive Notes
Date(s) Created: 1891-1898
Date(s): 1891-1898General Notes
Note
Status: OK
Status By: dw
Status Date: 2009-05-14