Thanks to the posting by Jackie @30pics4jackiesdiamond in the discussions, I now know it is World Photography Day today. I took these pictures at the Manhattan Arts Center on 8/6 but hadn't gotten around to doing anything with them. It seemed like the appropriate day to put some of the pictures together and post them. The exhibit was "The Blaker Studio Royal with Photos by Laurence Blaker" and the cameras and other photography equipment were primarily in the lobby display case with the exception of the two upper right and lower left, in the gallery itself. Portraits done by Laurence Blaker lined the walls. I had not known much of anything about him, but it seems he was very highly regarded by his peers and quite active in professional circles and endeavors. Frank and I had our portrait taken at the studio shortly after we were married.
Here's the MAC website's description of the exhibit, which ended on the 11th:
"This collection of photographs has not been seen in over 20 years. Laurence Blaker was a studio photographer in Manhattan who began his career taking black & white photographs and was active during the early days of color photography. This retrospective of his work includes portraits of important generals, judges, bridal portraits and portraits of everyday people. The Riley County Historical Society and J & C Imaging of Manhattan are loaning antique photographic equipment and other artifacts. The portrait chair from Blaker's studio will also be on display."
Well done!