ANTIQUE PHOTO DATED DECEMBER 6, 1925

While doing some sifting through old boxes, I came across this 1925 photo taken in Elizabeth, New Jersey. My in-laws had it in their collection of memorabilia with no clue as to why.

I posted about it on the “I Grew Up in Elizabeth” Facebook Group. I wrote, “This classic photo was among the belongings of my in-laws. My father-in-law, Isadore Cohen, born in 1911, attended school at Cleveland and Battin in Elizabeth. While my husband and I do not recognize his father in the photo, his father had 13 siblings and four nearby first cousins. His cousins had the family name Neidich. One or more of his siblings and/or cousins may be pictured in the photo.”

The writing on the photo says, "Prof. S. Bertleff and his pupils Dec. 6, 1925. It looks like the photography studio was I. Fieldman 1117 Elizabeth Ave., Elizabeth, N. J.” Thoughts?

Since that day in January 2024, when I posted the photo, before making it my blog post subject, I waited for the year’s end so that it is now officially antique. The question is what to do with that antique photo.

Without any inkling of who is photographed, do I offer it to the Elizabeth Public Library or the Elizabeth Historical Society? I would not even consider throwing it away. I want to find it a happy home where someone will treasure the legacy of the young musicians from Elizabeth and their teacher, Prof. S. Bertcleff.

I also wonder if anyone else has a copy of this spellbinding photo. That would be interesting to see.