Unidentified Girl 1985-X-36

George Ross’ Portrait Photograph of Unidentified Girl

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: Unidentified

Description: Cabinet card of a young unidentified girl sitting on a fringe studio chair. The girl's hair is parted down the middle and shaped into two curls. One hand rests on the arm of the chair and one leg dangles off the edge, She is wearing a white dress with lace detailing and a scalloped hemline, and striped socks with boots. Based on the appearance of the fringe chair, and the girl's clothing I would date this photo to the 1870's.

Biographical Note:

Family Affiliation:

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THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size:  cabinet card, approximately 10.75 x 16.5 cm

Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock

Description, front:

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

Date:

Condition:

Owner:  Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1985-X-36

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