Whitney, Albion “Albie” Harvey (1870-1907) (1 of 5)
/Richard Reece Percival’s Portrait Photograph of Albion “Albie” Harvey Whitney
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
RICHARD REECE PERCIVAL was born in England in 1835 and died in Rhode Island in 1917. He operated the R. Percival Gallery in Petaluma between October 1867 and September 1870 and again between March 1871 until at least May 1871. After departing Petaluma, he continued working as a photographer in San Jose, California. (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: Albion “Albie” Harvey Whitney
Description: It appears from the inscription on the back of this carte de visite that this is a portrait of Albion “Albie” Harvey Whitney taken on his first birthday. The baby sits in a chair which is covered by a heavy printed textile. “Albie” looks directly at the camera and appears to be holding a toy. He is dressed in a dark dress, and his light-colored hair is parted on his left.
Biographical Note: Albion (Albie) Whitney was born in Petaluma on April 10, 1870, and according to an article in the Petaluma Argus- Courier he received a “high education”. It also states that he traveled extensively in his youth, visiting the Orient and spending considerable time in Alaska, “where his health was seriously damaged.” In 1904, he departed Petaluma to work in San Mateo for his brother, Arthur Leslie Whitney (1858-1914) the founder of the Leslie Salt Refining Company where Albion was secretary and manager. Albie died tragically at age 35. On May 21, 1907, his car was struck by a passenger train, and it was reported he died instantly. Petaluma Argus-Courier, June 5, 1907, p. 3.
Family Affiliation: Albion “Albie” Harvey Whitney was the sixth child of the prominent Petaluma pioneers Albion Paris Whitney (1825-1884) and Susan Durgin Eastman Whitney (1832-1917). His father was a California State Senator and wealthy businessman. His mother managed the family business after her husband’s death and was an active participant in the women’s suffrage movement. His paternal grandmother was Olive Parlin Whitney, and his siblings were Cleora Melissa Whitney Hewlett, Nancy Jane “Jenny” Whitney Morrow, Arthur Leslie Whitney, Leona Merrill Whitney, Marcella “Ella” Whitney Wheaton and Clara Whitney Spear.
Bibliography:
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: Handwritten in cursive in pencil at the top of this card is, “Albie 1 year Apr 10th - 1871” and “Born Petaluma April 10th - 1870”.
Date: April 10, 1871
Condition: Both the front and back sides of this card are soiled and stained.
Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1981-835-06
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.