Hopes, Edward S. (1834 or 1835 -1909)(2 of 3)
/George Ross’ Photograph of edward S. Hopes Seated in a horse-drawn carriage
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 nineteenth 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 that Ross stopped working as a photographer soon after he developed a disability 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: Edward S. Hopes
Description: Carte de visites taken outdoors are rare, and in this example, Edward Hope is seen seated in a horse-drawn carriage. He holds the reins, looks at the viewer and is dressed in a dark overcoat and hat. The horse and carriage have been posed beside a stream of water, and although the background is faint, the masts of a scow schooner can be seen directly above Hopes’ head. This photograph was probably taken in Petaluma. The building above the horse’s head may be a McNear warehouse which was strategically located on the banks of the Petaluma River where scow schooners could transport its wares.
Biographical Note: Arriving in Petaluma in 1854, Edward Hopes, a native of Canada, was among Petaluma’s earliest pioneers. He initially worked as the manager of the blacksmith shop for the Fritsch & Stafford Carriage and Harness Company. In July 1870, he left Fritsch & Stafford and purchased the wagon and blacksmith shop of Mr. James M. Langley on Kentucky Street. In May 1878, Hopes began construction of his Petaluma residence, which was located at the corner of Howard and Prospect Streets, and it was reported to be among Petaluma’s finest. Hopes was a veteran member of Petaluma Lodge No. 30, I.O.O.F. and was the Noble Grand of the lodge from January to July 1879. In his old age, he retired to the Odd Fellows’ Home in Thermalito, where he died in 1909. He was buried in Petaluma’s Cypress Hill Memorial Park beside his wife, Ellen (Nellie) R. Humphrey Hopes (1839 - 1907 or 1908). His obituary stated, “…for few men were more generally esteemed by all than was this rugged old pioneer who was a living exemplification of the honest, faithful, toiling ‘village blacksmith.’”
Family Affiliation: Edward Hopes was the husband of Ellen (Nellie) R. Humphries (Humphrey) Hopes (1839 - 1907 or 1908) and father to Anna M. Hopes Fritsch (1858-1938). Ellen Hopes was her stepmother.
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: carte de visite
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front: This carte de visite’s horizontal format and outdoor setting are rare.
Description, back: Handwritten in pencil along the top edge of the card is, “Mr Hope” [sic]. Below this inscription is an early Ross Petaluma imprint. The vertical sides of the card contain remnants of formerly placed strips of tape.
Date: 1860s
Condition: The front of this card is faded, and the back contains remnants of previously placed vertical strips of tape.
Owner: Private Collection, digital copy by permission. The owner of this carte de visite reported that it was purchased at the same time as the standing portrait of Edward Hopes taken by Bryan R. Johnson in this collection. The owner also reported that they were informed that both carte de visites came from the same photo album, which contained the inscription, “Top: Two pictures of Mr. Ed Hope [sic], in charge of the blacksmith shop in the Fritsch-Stafford carriage and harness business.”
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.