“A Gentleman in a Right Facing Profile With a Distinctive Hair Style”
/Ross & Ormsby’s Portrait Photograph of
“A Gentleman in a right facing profile with a distinctive hair style”
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
ROSS & ORMSBY was a Petaluma photography studio operated by George Colvaine Ross (born February 12, 1832, Edinburgh, Scotland; died 1893, Petaluma, California) and Elon D. Ormsby (died March 6, 1895, Oakland, California). The Ross & Ormsby studio was located, “At Ross’ old gallery, Main Street, two doors above the Wickersham + Co’s bank”. Ross, already an established portrait photographer in Petaluma, renamed his studio, placing his new partner’s name after his own. The Ross & Ormsby studio was first advertised in the Petaluma Weekly Argus on May 20, 1869, and the final advertisement for the studio appeared on June 11, 1870. (For additional information on this photography studio and to view all portraits in this archive with its imprint, click on its name in blue above.)
THE SITTER:
Name: Unknown
Description: In this portrait, the sitter’s shoulders are almost full frontal while he turns his head to display an almost full right profile. He is attired in a jacket with large lapels, a matching vest, a white shirt and a large dark bowtie. Curiously the second button of his vest is not buttoned. His demeanor is serious and stern. His hair has been combed in a distinctive manner most probably meant to conceal a bald patch.
Biographical Note:
Family Affiliation:
Bibliography:
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: Carte de visite, approximately 6.1 x 9.8 cm
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front: This right facing profile portrait is set within a vertical oval.
Description, back: The back of this carte de visite is either blank or contains only an accession number.
Date: May 20, 1869 to June 11, 1870
Condition: This carte de visite is slightly soiled.
Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 2023-946-02
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