Denman, Charlotte Edwards (1861-1950) (1 of 3)

George B. Rieman & Fred H. Pray’s Portrait Photograph of Charlotte Edwards Denman

THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:

Photographers: George B. Rieman & Fred H. Pray

Photographic Studio: Rieman & Pray, 26 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, California

THE SITTER:

Name: Charlotte Edwards Denman

Description:  This boudoir-sized cabinet card is a wedding portrait of Charlotte Edwards Denman. She is standing with her gloved hands in front of her with her fingers intertwined. She looks demurely down and to her right. She is wearing a corseted, redingcoat-styled wedding dress. The skirt of her dress is a tone-on-tone brocade and its very decorative hem includes several layers of flounce. Her overdress is adorned profusely with beaded tassels, and she wears a corsage on her left shoulder. Her diaphanous veil falls from the top of her head revealing her tight, short bangs, and forms a train which extends beyond the lower right edge of the photograph. For what is most probably a companion portrait depicting the groom, see the portrait of Frank Hardenburgh Denman.

Biographical Note: Charlotte Edwards Denman was a president of the Petaluma Woman’s Club and a long-standing President of St. John’s Episcopal Church’s Women’s Auxiliary. She lived at 641 D Street in Petaluma.

Family Affiliation: Charlotte Edwards Denman was married to Petaluma banker, Frank Hardenburgh Denman (1856-1955).

Bibliography:

THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size: boudoir-size cabinet card, approximately 21 x 13 cm

Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock

Description, front: In this wedding portrait, the bride stands in front of an elaborately painted backdrop depicting a grand patio with vine covered columns and an expansive distant view. The formality of the scene is heightened by the arch format. Along the bottom edge of the portrait is handwritten in script, “Charlotte E. Denman - 1885”. The portrait is backed by a boudoir-size, dark cabinet card, and the photographer’s elegant imprint runs along the bottom in gold script.

Description, back: Along the top edge of the card has been placed a length of tape and handwritten upon it in pencil in block letters is, “Charlotte Edwards Denman” and “(Mrs. Frank H. Denman)”. The back of this card is dark, and it contains several messages marketing the sophistication of the photography studio. The name of the studio is written in bold, gold, capital letters on an artist’s palette, and the address is written on a surrounding scroll. An additional scroll reads, “Take elevator”, obviously informing the reader there would be no need to climb stairs to reach the studio rooms. In script towards the bottom is, “WHEN OTHERS FAIL TRY RIEMAN”, and in a final enticement, the reader is informed, “Photographed by Electricity”.

Date: 1885

Condition: With the exception of minor fraying along the front bottom edge, this card is in very good condition.

Owner:  Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1991-X-09

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