Hopes, Edward S. (1834 or 1835 -1909)(1 of 3)
/Bryan R. Johnson’s portrait photograph of Edward Hopes
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
BRYAN R. JOHNSON was born c. 1834 in New York State, and his death date is unidentified. After working as a photographer in several California cities, Johnson moved to Petaluma and beginning in December of 1862 co-partnered with Edward P. Butler at the Ambrotype and Photographic Gallery on Petaluma’s Phoenix Block. In April 1863, Johnson took sole possession of the gallery and renamed it “Johnson’s Premier Pioneer Photographic Gallery”. In 1864, he moved his studio twice within the community finally settling in the Doyle Building on Main Street. Johnson sold his studio to William Henry Lentz in October 1866. (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: Edward S. Hopes
Description: In this portrait, Edward Hopes appears as an elegantly attired young gentleman. Below his fashionable, double-breasted trench coat, he wears an embossed velvet vest and high-collared white shirt upon which his dark bow tie lies askew. He assumes a confident, casual poise with one arm behind his back, the other resting on the studio chair, and his left leg crossed in front of his right. His swept- back, wavy hair is parted on his left, and his beard and mustache are carefully groomed.
Biographical Note: Arriving in Petaluma in 1854, Edward Hopes, a native of Canada, was among Petaluma’s earliest pioneers. He initially worked as the manager of the blacksmith shop for the Fritsch & Stafford Carriage and Harness Company. In July 1870, he left Fritsch & Stafford and purchased the wagon and blacksmith shop of Mr. James M. Langley on Kentucky Street. In May 1878, Hopes began construction of his Petaluma residence, which was located at the corner of Howard and Prospect Streets, and it was reported to be among Petaluma’s finest. Hopes was a veteran member of Petaluma Lodge No. 30, I.O.O.F. and was the Noble Grand of the lodge from January to July 1879. In his old age, he retired to the Odd Fellows’ Home in Thermalito, where he died in 1909. He was buried in Petaluma’s Cypress Hill Memorial Park beside his wife, Ellen (Nellie) R. Humphrey Hopes (1839 - 1907 or 1908). His obituary stated, “…for few men were more generally esteemed by all than was this rugged old pioneer who was a living exemplification of the honest, faithful, toiling ‘village blacksmith.’”
Family Affiliation: Edward Hopes was the husband of Ellen (Nellie) R. Humphries (Humphrey) Hopes (1839 - 1907 or 1908) and father to Anna M. Hopes Fritsch (1858-1938). Ellen Hopes was her stepmother.
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: carte de visite
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front: The studio setting of this carte de visite is elaborate. It includes a backdrop depicting a lush river scene utilized by Johnson in other portraits; bold, checker-board flooring; a drape with two large tassels; and an elaborately carved, high-backed, upholstered leather chair.
Description, back: Surrounded by undulating lines, in the center of the back of the card is Johnson’s imprint: “From B. R. Johnson’s Photograph Gallery, Doyle’s Fire Proof Building, Main Street, Petaluma.”. Above this imprint is handwritten in pencil: “Mr. Hope [sic] Blacksmith with Fritsch & Stafford”. Below this imprint is written, “Came from Canada”.
Date: 1864-1866
Condition: The top portion of the front of the card is soiled, and the back retains the remnants of tape along the top and bottom edges.
Owner: Private Collection, digital copy by permission. The owner of this carte de visite reported that it was purchased at the same time as the photograph of Edward Hopes taken by George Ross in this collection. The owner also reported that they were informed that both cartes de visite came from the same photo album, which contained the inscription, “Top: Two pictures of Mr. Ed Hope [sic], in charge of the blacksmith shop in the Fritsch-Stafford carriage and harness business.”
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.