Coflin, Ida Brown (born c. 1858 )

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George Ross’ Portrait Photograph of Emma S. Elder and Ida Brown

THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:

GEORGE COLVAINE ROSS was born February 12, 1832 in Edinburgh, Scotland and died in 1893 at the age of 60 in Petaluma, California. Unlike the other nineteenth century Petaluma photographers, Ross lived and worked in Petaluma for many years. He arrived in Petaluma in 1855, and in 1862 he began his profession as a photographer, moving his studio within the city several times as noted on his various carte de visite and cabinet card imprints. In 1869 he was also part of a short-lived photographic studio partnership with Elon D. Ormsby on Main Street in Petaluma. It was reported that Ross stopped working as a photographer soon after he developed a disability in 1888. Ross was among the most prolific Petaluma portrait photographers, and his work was of exceptionally high quality. Ross was buried in Petaluma’s Cypress Hill Memorial Park. (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:

Name: Emma S. Elder Coggeshall Cady and Ida Brown Coflin. This portrait was taken before either of these two young women had married, when they would have been known by their maiden names, Emma S. Elder and Ida Brown.

Description: The two, young, unmarried, women portrayed in this carte de visite were most probably close friends. Emma Elder stands confidently on the viewer’s left, resting her hands authoritatively on the right shoulder of Ida Brown. Elder gazes directly at the viewer, her full face open to the camera. Brown sits calmly on the right; her gaze lowered and to the right. The women are dressed almost identically. Both wear heavy, dark, complex dresses typical of the first half of the 1870s. Both dresses have a full, flounced and ruffled, underskirt and a shorter, top skirt which is gathered at the sides creating a type of front apron. Both women have wide, large cuffs trimmed in white lace, and high, white, lace, collars around which are draped fringed neck scarves. Elder’s dress also includes a full bustle.

Biographical Note: Petaluma papers mention Ida Brown throughout the 1870s and 1880s in the sections dedicated to commenting on Petaluma’s social events for young adults. By 1881 she was living in Alameda, but often returned to visit her friends in Petaluma. She married P. Gardner Coflin in 1887 and moved to Catskills, New York.

Family Affiliation: Ida Brown Coflin’s parents were early Petaluma residents Captain John K. Brown (1820 -1902), a steamboat navigator and Helen W. Walter Brown(1837-1892). Both were buried in Petaluma’s Cypress Hill Memorial Cemetery. Ida had three brothers: Thomas H. Brown (born c. 1855) who worked as a telegraph operator in Petaluma, William W. Brown (1862-1905) and George H. Brown (1868 or 69 - 1922). The wife of Thomas H. Brown was also named Ida, and she is referred to in the Petaluma papers as “Mrs. Ida Brown”.

Bibliography: Petaluma Weekly Argus, Oct. 8, 1870, p. 2; Jan. 6, 1872, p. 3; Nov. 28, 1873, p. 3; Nov. 27, 1874, p. 3; April 30, 1875, p. 2; Nov. 29, 1878, p. 3; Sept. 14, 1881, p. 2; April 28, 1882, p. 3. Petaluma Courier, April 26, 1882, p. 3; Dec. 7, 1887, p. 3. Petaluma Daily Morning Courier, Dec. 1, 1902, p. 1. Petaluma Argus-Courier, Nov. 8, 1902, p. 1. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/72441330/helen-w-brown

THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size:  carte de visite, approximately 6.25 x 10.5 cm

Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock

Description, front: Double portrait of two young women in front of a backdrop depicting a grand architectural interior.

Description, back: Handwritten in black ink cursive, “Miss Ida Brown”, “ Emma Elder”, “April 23rd 1874”, “Petaluma”, and “Cal.”. On the center back is the photographer’s imprint which reads: “From George Ross’ Art and Photograph Gallery, Main St., Petaluma, Cal. (Immediately opposite the American Hotel.)”.

Date: April 23rd, 1874

Condition: There are small stains and extensive foxing throughout, and the corners have been clipped.

Owner:  Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1984-289-05

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