“An Elegant Gentleman Wearing Edwardian Business Attire”

William Blodgett Cook’s Portrait Photograph of “An elegant gentleman wearing edwardian business attire”

THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:

Photographer: WILLIAM BLODGETT COOK was born in Ohio and worked as a photographer in many California cities. He worked in Petaluma during two brief periods at the beginning of the twentieth century. (For additional information on this photographer and to view all portraits by him in the collection, click on his name in blue above.)

Photographic Studio: Healy Studio

THE SITTER:

Name: Unidentified

Description: This head-and-shoulders portrait depicts an elegant young gentleman formally attired in a dark suit with high thin lapels and a matching vest. His white shirt has an exceptionally tall collar which lends a stiff and professional air to his visage. Typical of the Edwardian era, his necktie is not covered by his collar and gathers at his neck in a large knot. He is clean shaven and meticulously groomed.

Biographical Note:

Family Affiliation:

Bibliography:

THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size:

Medium: matte collodion photographic print with oval mount

Description, front: The color of this portrait’s card stock is a medium gray, and the portrait is set within a vertical oval which has a cream colored border and an embossed line which includes flourishes at the top and bottom. On a diagonal, in the bottom right corner of the card, is printed in cream colored ink, “Cook Artist”, “Healy Studio”, and “Petaluma”.

Description, back: The back of this cabinet card is either blank or contains only an accession number.

Date: August 1903 to February 1904 (Cook worked at the Healy Studio between these dates.)

Condition: This cabinet card is slightly soiled and has several, small, dark spots throughout.

Owner:  Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 2023-023

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.