Unidentified Woman 2001-178-01
/George Ross’ Portrait Photograph of Unidentified Woman
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
GEORGE COLVAINE ROSS was born February 12, 1832 in Edinburgh, Scotland and died in 1893 at the age of 60 in Petaluma, California. Unlike the other 19th century Petaluma photographers, Ross lived and worked in Petaluma for many years. He arrived in Petaluma in 1855, and in 1862 he began his profession as a photographer, moving his studio within the city several times as noted on his various carte de visite and cabinet card imprints. In 1869 he was also part of a short-lived, photographic studio partnership with Elon D. Ormsby on Main Street in Petaluma. It was reported Ross stopped working as a photographer soon after he became an invalid in 1888. Ross was among the most prolific Petaluma portrait photographers, and his work was of exceptionally high quality. Ross was buried in Petaluma’s Cypress Hill Memorial Park. (For additional information on this photographer and to view all portraits by him in the collection, click on his name in blue above.)
THE SITTER:
Name: Unknown
Description: Carte de visite of an elderly unidentified woman in an oval frame with a single line border. The woman's hair is hidden underneath a black lace bonnet that is tied under her chin, and she is wearing glasses. She has on what appears to be a corseted dress with a large white lace collar. Based on the oval frame, single line border, and the woman's fashion this photo is from the early 1870's.
Biographical Note:
Family Affiliation:
Bibliography: Information on the photo's date and format gathered from Gary W. Clark's "19th Century Card Photos Kwik Guide," pg. 26, 47
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: carte de visite, approximately 6.25 x 10.5 cm
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front:
Description, back:
Date:
Condition:
Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 2001-178-01
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.