Crippen, Edwina C. (1855 -1939)
/George Ross’ Portrait Photograph of (Mary) Eltha Crippen Nay Eno & Edwina C. Crippen
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 SITTERS:
Names: (Mary) Eltha Crippen Nay Eno & Edwina C. Crippen. When this portrait was taken, Eltha would have been known by her maiden name, Eltha Crippen. Edwina Crippen never married.
Description: This double portrait depicting the Crippen sisters is masterful. The older sister, Edwina, is seated on a one-armed studio chair while her sister, Eltha, six years her junior, stands next to her. With an elegant, confident posture and a self-possessed gaze, Edwina looks directly at the viewer while Eltha glances to the left with an air of apprehension. With a slightly submissive posture, Eltha leans towards Edwina and, with a childlike gesture, places her hand on her sister’s shoulder. Edwina wears a full-length, striped, waisted dress with a hem of six wide ruffles and full-length sleeves that terminate in a border of white lace. A black ribbon defines the yoke of her dress, and a matching ribbon has been tied under her white lace collar. Eltha wears a cuirass bodice over a calf-length skirt. Her short skirt and boots were the apparel of a girl; adult woman at this time wore their skirts full-length. Both sisters wear a thin black choker and dangling earrings. Their shoulder-length hair is curled and restrained with a ribbon headband.
Biographical Note: Edwina was born in Michigan in 1855 and died in Petaluma on January 11, 1939. She was buried in the Chapel of the Chimes Cemetery and Mausoleum in Santa Rosa. Edwina was a member of the Petaluma Baptist Church. She and her sister, Eltha, lived together for many years in their family home at 305 Liberty Street. The sisters appear to have been very adventurous; they often traveled long distances together by car when it was unusual for ladies to do so. Their trips were often mentioned in the Petaluma newspapers. According to US Federal Censuses, Edwina identified her occupation as a “laborer” in the box factory industry (1910), a “speiner” [sic] in the silk mill industry (1920), and a silk “shinner” [sic] in her own residence (1930).
Family Affiliation: Edwina’s parents were Petaluma pioneers, Perry W. Crippen (1823-1888) and Harriet Amelia Bump Crippen (1833-1924). She had two older brothers, Everton J. Crippen (1849-1922) and Marvin A. Crippen (1854-1910); a younger brother, Commodore Perry Crippen (1859-1906); and an younger sister, (Mary) Altha Crippen Nay Eno(1861-1943).
Bibliography:https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/221184405/edwina-crippen ; Petaluma Daily Morning Courier: Sept. 11, 1908, p.1; December 30, 1911, p.7; Sept. 24, 1922, p. 4; Sept. 30, 1925, p. 1; October 8, 1926, p. 5; Petaluma Argus-Courier, June 25, 1925, p. 6; Nov. 24, 1931, p. 8; Nov. 23, 1932, p. 6; Dec. 26, 1936, p. 3; May 28, 1938, p. 2; January 12, 1939, p. 4; January 12, 1939, p. 12; January 13, 1939, p.5.
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: carte de visite
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front: The only background detail in this carte de visite is a horizontal strip of wall molding.
Description, back: George Ross’ imprint is on the center of the back of this carte de visite.
Date: 1870-1875
Condition: The portrait is slightly soiled throughout, and the top edge of the card has been trimmed.
Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1979-425-01-p33-p21, Church Family & Friends Album
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