Whitney, Albion “Albie” Harvey (1870-1907) (2 of 5)
/Hugh S. Anderson’s Portrait Photograph of Ella & Albie Whitney
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
HUGH S. ANDERSON was born in 1826 in Scotland and died in 1900 in San Francisco, California. He was active in Petaluma as early as January 1872, and he departed Petaluma in December 1873. His Sunbeam Gallery was located, “At the Old Stand, Opposite H. C. Taft & Co.’s”. (For additional information on this photographer and to view all portraits by him in the collection, click on his name in blue above.)
THE SITTERS:
Names: Marcella “Ella” Whitney Wheaton and Albion Harvey Whitney (At the time this portrait was taken, “Ella” would have been known by her maiden name, Marcella “Ella” Whitney.)
Description: This photograph portrays the siblings “Ella” and “Albie” Whitney. “Ella” appears on the viewer’s left. She is either 6 or 7 years of age. She wears a light-colored dress with triangular decoration at its hem. Her long hair is drawn back by a headband, and she affectionally holds her left arm around her younger brother. Albie, on the viewer’s right, sits with his hands gathered in front of him on the studio chair’s armrest. He is attired in a checkered dress which a white band collar, white leggings and leather boots. As was fashionable at the time for little boys, his hair is parted on both sides of his head and pulled up into a curl at the top of his crown.
Biographical Note: Albion (Albie) Whitney was born in Petaluma on April 10, 1870, and according to an article in the Petaluma Argus- Courier he received a “high education”. It also states that he traveled extensively in his youth, visiting the Orient and spending considerable time in Alaska, “where his health was seriously damaged.” In 1904, he departed Petaluma to work in San Mateo for his brother, Arthur Leslie Whitney (1858-1914) the founder of the Leslie Salt Refining Company where Albion was secretary and manager. Albie died tragically at age 35. On May 21, 1907 his car was struck by a passenger train, and it was reported he died instantly. Petaluma Argus-Courier, June 5, 1907, p. 3.
Family Affiliation: Albion “Albie” Harvey Whitney was the sixth child of the prominent Petaluma pioneers Albion Paris Whitney (1825-1884) and Susan Durgin Eastman Whitney (1832-1917). His father was a California State Senator and wealthy businessman. His mother managed the family business after her husband’s death and was an active participant in the women’s suffrage movement. His paternal grandmother was Olive Parlin Whitney, and his siblings were Cleora Melissa Whitney Hewlett, Nancy Jane “Jenny” Whitney Morrow, Arthur Leslie Whitney, Leona Merrill Whitney, Marcella “Ella” Whitney Wheaton and Clara Whitney Spear.
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: carte de visite
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front: In this portrait, the photographer has cleverly arranged his sitters together on either side of his fringed studio chair, creating a casual, intimate, composition highly appropriate for a double portrait of young siblings. The chair’s armrest has been used for the children to grasp as their legs adorably dangle beneath them.
Description, back: Along the top edge handwritten in cursive in pencil is, “Ella + Albie”.
Hugh Anderson’s imprint is on the center of the back of this carte de visite. Anderson created several versions of his Petaluma imprint. An expanded, possibly later, version appears here. It is printed in red ink and includes four lines of text, each in a different font. The text is embellished above and below with a horizontally flipped, elaborate flourish.
Date: January 1872 - December 1873
Condition: Both sides of this card are soiled and the back retains several stains.
Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum,1981-835-08
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