Edstrom, Eliza Kent (1829 - June 29, 1891)

George Webb’s Portrait Photograph of Eliza Kent Edstrom and Edwin Charles Edstrom Sr.

THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:

Photographer:  George Webb

Studio Location: George Webb’s studio was located at 400 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, California. The Web photographic studio operated between 1889 and 1907. Carl Mautz, Biographies of Western Photographers, 2018 edition, p. 180.

THE SITTERS:

Names: Eliza Kent Edstrom and Edwin Charles Edstrom Sr.

Description: In this double portrait, Mr. and Mrs. Edstrom sit side-by-side, both looking somberly off to the viewer’s right. Edwin Edstrom is dressed in a double-breasted coat and matching trousers. The hair of his head, mustache and beard are pure white, and he carries a cane. Eliza Edstrom is dressed in a matching jacket and skirt. Her hair is center-parted and combed behind her ears to the back of her head. She holds a book in her lap and wears a knotted neck scarf.

Biographical Note: Eliza Kent was born in Canada on November 15, 1829. She married Edwin Charles Edstrom in Eureka, Humboldt County, on January 18, 1867 when she was 37, and he was 53. She was buried in Santa Cruz, California.

Family Affiliation: Eliza and Edwin Edstrom were the parents of Edwin Charles Edstrom Jr. and Arthur Edstrom. All four Edstroms were associated with Santa Cruz.

Bibliography:

THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size: cabinet card, approximately 10.75 x 16.25 cm

Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock

Description, front: This is a horizontal cabinet card with the photographer’s imprint along the right edge.

Description, back: Handwritten in cursive in pencil along the top edge is, "Aunt Eliza, Died June 29/91”. Above this date handwritten in ink is, “1891”, leading to the presumption that the death date of Eliza Edstrom was June 29, 1891. Below this is handwritten, “Aunt Eliza + Uncle Edstrom.”.

Date: Between 1889, the opening date of George Web’s studio, and June 29, 1891, the date of Eliza Edstrom’s death.

Condition: This cabinet card is in good condition.

Owner:  Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1983-32-08

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