George Ross’ Portrait Photograph of Emma S. Elder and Ida Brown
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
Photographer: George Ross (b. Feb. 2, 1832 Edinburgh, Scotland; d. 1893 Petaluma, CA)
Active in Petaluma: 1862-1893
Biographical Note: Unlike the other 19th century Petaluma photographers, Ross lived in Petaluma for many years. Arriving in Petaluma in 1855 at age 23, he established a house painting business. In 1862 he began his profession as a photographer, moving his studio within the city several times as noted on his various cdv imprints. In 1868 he was also part of a photographic studio partnership, Ross and Ormsby, on Main Street in Petaluma. George Ross was among the most prolific Petaluma portrait photographers, and his work was of exceptionally high quality. Ross died in Petaluma and was buried in Cypress Hill Memorial Park in Petaluma.
Bibliography: Palmquist, pgs. 461-463; Mautz, pg.136.
THE SITTERS:
Name: Emma S. Elder Coggeshall Cady and Ida Brown Coflin. This portrait was taken before either of these two young women had married, when they would have been known by their maiden names, Emma S. Elder and Ida Brown.
Description: The two, young, unmarried, women portrayed in this carte de visite were most probably close friends. Emma Elder stands confidently on the viewer’s left, resting her hands authoritatively on the right shoulder of Ida Brown. Elder gazes directly at the viewer, her full face open to the camera. Brown sits calmly on the right; her gaze lowered and to the left. The women are dressed almost identically. Both wear heavy, dark, complex dresses typical of the first half of the 1870s. Both dresses have a full, flounced and ruffled, underskirt and a shorter, top skirt which is gathered at the sides creating a type of front apron. Both women have wide, large cuffs trimmed in white lace, and high, white, lace, collars around which are draped fringed neck scarves. Elder’s dress also includes a full bustle.
Biographical Note: Petaluma papers mention Ida Brown throughout the 1870s and 1880s in the sections dedicated to commenting on Petaluma’s social events for young adults. By 1881 she was living in Alameda, but often returned to visit her friends in Petaluma. She married P. Gardner Coflin in 1887 and moved to Catskills, New York.
Family Affiliation: Ida Brown Coflin’s parents were early Petaluma residents Captain John K. Brown (1820 -1902), a steamboat navigator and Helen W. Walter Brown(1837-1892). Both were buried in Petaluma’s Cypress Hill Memorial Cemetery. Ida had three brothers: Thomas H. Brown (born c. 1855) who worked as a telegraph operator in Petaluma, William W. Brown (1862-1905) and George H. Brown (1868 or 69 - 1922). The wife of Thomas H. Brown was also named Ida, and she is referred to in the Petaluma papers as “Mrs. Ida Brown”.
Bibliography: Petaluma Weekly Argus, Oct. 8, 1870, p. 2; Jan. 6, 1872, p. 3; Nov. 28, 1873, p. 3; Nov. 27, 1874, p. 3; April 30, 1875, p. 2; Nov. 29, 1878, p. 3; Sept. 14, 1881, p. 2; April 28, 1882, p. 3. Petaluma Courier, April 26, 1882, p. 3; Dec. 7, 1887, p. 3. Petaluma Daily Morning Courier, Dec. 1, 1902, p. 1. Petaluma Argus-Courier, Nov. 8, 1902, p. 1. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/72441330/helen-w-brown
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: carte de visite, approximately 6.25 x 10.5 cm
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front: Double portrait of two young women in front of a backdrop depicting a grand architectural interior.
Description, back: Handwritten in black ink cursive, “Miss Ida Brown”, “ Emma Elder”, “April 23rd 1874”, “Petaluma”, and “Cal.”. On the center back is the photographer’s imprint which reads: “From George Ross’ Art and Photograph Gallery, Main St., Petaluma, Cal. (Immediately opposite the American Hotel.)”.
Date: April 23rd, 1874
Condition: There are small stains and extensive foxing throughout, and the corners have been clipped.
Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1984-289-05
Reproduction rights: The Petaluma Museum Association makes no assertions as to ownership of any original copyrights to the digitized images here reproduced. These images are intended for personal or research use only. Any other kind of use, including, but not limited to commercial or scholarly publication in any medium or format, public exhibition, or use online or in a web site, may be subject to additional restrictions including but not limited to the copyrights held by parties other than the Association. USERS ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE for determining the existence of such rights and for obtaining any permissions and/or paying associated fees necessary for the proposed use.