“Seated Toddler With a Bored Expression”
/Skelton Stanford Noble’s Portrait Photograph of “Seated Toddler With a Bored Expression”
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
SKELTON STANFORD NOBLE was born in Missouri c. 1833. He worked as a photographer in many California cities before arriving in Petaluma. He worked in Petaluma with Albert Webster Fell in the Noble & Fell partnership beginning in December 1873. In May 1874 the partership was dissolved and Noble continued to operate the studio by himself until 1875. Noble’s sole ownership is evident in the Sunbeam Gallery imprint which changed from “Noble & Fell’s Sunbeam Gallery” to “S. S. Noble, Sunbeam Gallery”. Evidently in possession of an enlarger, Noble advertised between July and December 1874 his ability to produce “full-sized” portraits, announcing, “For life-sized pictures go to S. S. Noble, of the Sunbeam Gallery". After departing Petaluma, Noble operated photo studios in Sierra City, Nevada City, and Cambria. (For a bibliography on this photographer and to view all the portraits by him in this collection taken when he was the sole owner of the Sunbeam Gallery, click on his name in blue above.)
THE SITTER:
Name: Unidentified
Description: In this carte de visite, a fair-haired toddler sits in a traditional, one-armed, fringed, photo studio chair. The top-knot curl amassed at the crown of his head distinguish him as a boy. He appears completely at ease and a bit bored with the necessity of sitting still for his portrait. He rests his left arm on the chair’s fringed support while his right hand rests in his lap. He has tucked his left leg under his right which rests on a stool revealing his lace-up leather boots. He wears a precious ensemble. His waist-length jacket matches his britches, and both are adorned with many metal buttons.
Biographical Note:
Family Affiliation:
Bibliography:
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: carte de visite, approximately 6.25 x 10.5 cm
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front:
Description, back: In the center is the photographer’s imprint. It reads: “Noble & Fell’s Sunbeam Gallery, Main St., Petaluma, Next door to Wickersham’s & Co’s Bank.
Date: May 1874 to 1875
Condition: The top and bottom edges of this carte de visite have been trimmed.
Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 2022-952-01-pg43d, Schwobeda/Bloom/Taylor/DeMartin Family & Friends Album
Reproduction rights: The Petaluma Museum Association makes no assertions as to ownership of any original copyrights to the digitized images here reproduced. These images are intended for personal or research use only. Any other kind of use, including, but not limited to commercial or scholarly publication in any medium or format, public exhibition, or use online or in a web site, may be subject to additional restrictions including but not limited to the copyrights held by parties other than the Association. USERS ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE for determining the existence of such rights and for obtaining any permissions and/or paying associated fees necessary for the proposed use.