The gentleman in this vintage photograph looks like he just walked off the page of an issue of Gentleman’s Quarterly. His jacket is buttoned with only the top button and he is wearing a wide tie and pocket handkerchief. Note the watch chain under his jacket as well as the boater hat and cane that he is holding. The photographer of this image is Andrew Simson (1837-1922). He emigrated to Buffalo at the age of 11 from Germany. At the beginning of his career he had a partner and the name of their firm was Upton & Simson. Simson had a number of  “claims to fame”. In 1901 he was an accredited photographer at the Pan American Exposition in Buffalo. He also is known for training Howard D. Beach (1867-1954). Beach was a great talent who worked in several disciplines. He was a portrait photographer, inventor, scientist, poet, lecturer and photo/art critic. He partnered with with Beach in 1896 (Simson & Beach) and in 1900 purchased Beach’s interest in the studio. Research revealed that Beach was considered the major photographer in Buffalo in regard to serving the “most cultured” citizens of the city. This photograph is not the same size as a cabinet card. It measures about 4 x 7 1/4 and is known as a “Promenade Card”.  The printed word “Promenade” can be seen in the center of the bottom border of this image. This beautiful vintage photograph is in excellent condition (see scans).