CABINET PHOTOGRAPH OF UNIDENTIFIED MAN TAKEN AT ISAAC F. HERTZOG'S STUDIO IN PEN ARGYL, PA. THE MAN IS SEATED AT A TABLE FACING FORWARD WITH HIS LEGS CROSSED. HE WEARS A LIGHT SHIRT WITH DARK VEST, LONG COAT WITH BUTTONS, AND LIGHT COLORED TROUSERS. HIS HAIR TOUCHES THE BOTTOM OF HIS EARS AND HE HAS A FULLTHICK BEARD WITH NO MUSTACHE.
Pen Argyl, PA: [c.1880s-1890s?]. 4-1/4" x 6-1/2". Cabinet card with gilt deckled edge. Sepia toned. The portrait is surrounded by a thin dark border, thicker at bottom. The photographer's imprint is found in the bottom border in gilt decorative fonts, "Hertzog HIF [monogram] Pen Argyl, Pa." There is no identifying information on the back of the card to help identify the subject. Very Good.
Isaac F. Hertzog [1857-1940] was a photographer with studios in Nazareth, Pen Argyle, and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; a self-professed faith healer; author of the book "Wonderful Experiences" on Christian healing; and a failed rapist.
He amassed a fortune, but investments in the Union National Life Insurance, bad mining stocks, and flooded land along the seashore depleted his wealth. He declared bankruptcy in 1914 but continued in both of his businesses.
Hertzog was arrested in March, 1919, after being accused by Mrs. Mabel Rice, a young married woman of Quakertown, of assault and battery with attempt to commit rape. An article in the Intelligencer Journal of Lancaster stated that Mrs. Rice was the sister of Rev. O.G. Romig, a local pastor, and wife of Harry Rice, a steelworker and believer of "pow wow healing". Mrs. Rice had been quite sick for some time and decided to try Dr. Hertzog as a last resort. She stated that he was extremely religious in the beginning but grew more bold in his actions as treatments went on. He even got her permission to use a room of her house to treat other patients, all women. Hertzog wrote a confession, witnessed by acting Magistrate Funk, admitting to making improper advances upon Mrs. Rice, knowing her to be a married woman, that he should not have done so, and that Mrs. Rice committed no wrongdoing and was pure of character. ["Sister of County Pastor Accuses Pow-Wow Doctor," Intelligencer Journal, Lancaster, PA, 25 March 1919, page 3.]. Item #40698
Price: $125.00