Avila, Antonio Silveira (1863-1955)
/John Quincy Reed’s Portrait Photograph of Antonio & Maria Avila
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
JOHN QUINCY REED was born in 1841 in Abington, Massachusetts and died in 1902 in Petaluma. He worked as a photographer in Petaluma for over 25 years, moving his studio within the community to several different locations. He arrived into Petaluma from Stockton in 1870 and continued to work as a photographer in Petaluma until at least 1898. Many of his portraits of Petaluma’s citizens are of exceptionally fine quality. (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: Antonio Silveira Avila & Maria Avila
Description: This is a cabinet card of the married couple, Antonio and Maria Avila. Both are wearing clothing fashionable in the 1880s. Maria wears a corseted cuirass bodice and bustle skirt. Made of the same fabric, they are both trimmed in dark velvet. Maria also wears a white, lace, neck scarf and drop earrings. Antonio wears a suit with only the top button of his jacket fastened. Antonio sits on a fringed chair while Maria stands next to him. Attached to the top of the card is a small, circular, metal brooch containing a photo of Maria's face which was obviously cropped from another printed copy of this cabinet card.
Biographical Note: Antonio Silverira Avila was a native of the Azores. He worked for GP McNear and was a member of the Petaluma Council No.4 UPEC and IPES.
Family Affiliation: Antonio and Maria Avila had several children; their son, Frank died in WWI in 1918.
Bibliography:
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: cabinet card, approximately 10.75 x 16.5 cm
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front: A double portrait with the man seated on the left and the woman standing on the right. They appear before a studio backdrop depicting a domestic fireplace mantel. Along the bottom is the photographer’s imprint: J. Q Reed, Petaluma, Cal. Pinned to the top left edge of this card is a round brooch containing a portrait of Maria Avila. It appears to have been cut from a copy of this carte de visite.
Description, back: Handwritten in cursive in blue ink across the top of the card is: "Married at St Vincents church on Dec. 17 - 1887 by Father Cleary. Dad Born 1863 year March 15th. Ma Born 1867 year August 5th. Entered into Rest Dec 19 - 1952, 11:30 am. From Vault March 3rd 53. Entered into Rest June 28 1955, 6:15 PM July 1 - 1955." Handwritten vertically in ink over illegible script written in pencil: “Antonio S. Avila Silverira + Maria Avila 1-36-.80
Date: 1887 (The date of 1887 presumes this to be a wedding portrait.)
Condition: There is foxing throughout the front of this card, and, on the bottom left edge, the photographic print has been cracked revealing the card below. The back is significantly soiled, and there is a faded section along the left edge.
Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 2001-161-94
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