Bartelt, Herman C. (1858-1938)(2 of 3)
/Herman Heyn’s Portrait Photograph of
Herman C. Bartelt & Two Unidentified Men
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
Photographer: Herman Heyn (1866-1949) or George Heyn (1856-1892)
Photographic Studio: 1509 Douglas Street, Omaha, Nebraska
THE SITTERS:
Names: Herman C. Bartelt and two unidentified men
Description: In this cabinet card, Herman C. Bartelt is sitting in a studio chair with a fringed armrest while two, young, unidentified men stand on either side of him. The formality of the men’s poses and attire, along with the official looking scroll held by Bartelt, suggest this portrait may commemorate a business agreement. It also appears that both unidentified men are holding cigars; possibly this is also a celebration of that business agreement.
Biographical Note: Herman C. Bartelt was a native of Germany. He was a long-time resident of Petaluma where he worked as a poultry farmer, businessman, resort & saloon owner, and real estate agent. He and his wife Catherine were the proprietors of the Willow Brook Hotel at Redwood Highway and Corona Road and the popular Chicken Rancho. Bartelt also established the Novelty Iron Works in Petaluma at 770-772 Keller Street. Towards the end of his life, he resided at 14 or 824 Keller Street. Bartelt and his wife reported the famous Wiseman airship mishap. Bartelt was an active member of the Herman Sons’ Lodge.
Family Affiliation: Bartelt’s wife and business partner was Catherine Petersen Bartelt (b. 1865), and his daughter was Sophie Bartelt Vonsen (1888-1978), a Petaluma dressmaker.
Bibliography:
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: cabinet card, approximately 10.75 x 16.5 cm
Medium: gelatin or collodion photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front: This three-person portrait attempts to communicate an appearance of sophisticated refinement. The composition is complex: two standing men angle their bodies towards the third man seated between them; they are posed on an elaborately designed carpet; and the painted backdrop depicts a luxuriously appointed interior. The photographer’s imprint appears in printed cursive along the bottom.
Description, back: The back of this cabinet card is blank or contains only an accession number.
Date: circa 1884-1895
Condition: The top left and bottom right of this card have faded.
Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1978-80-17
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