Scott, Mary R. Formschlag (1877-1946)
/E. R. HEALY Ground Floor Gallery’S PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPH OF Mary R. Formschlag Scott
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
EDWIN RUTHVEN HEALY (1856-1923) and ADA “ADDIE” GOSSAGE HEALY (1860-1923). Edwin and Ada Healy were a married couple, and both were listed in California directories as a photographer. It has been assumed they worked together; however, ascertaining their division of labor is problematic. The “E. R. Healy Gound Floor Gallery” was opened in 1896 at 816 Main Street, Petaluma, California. It was later relocated to 818 Main Street and sold in June, 1905. In 1906 the Healys moved to Berkeley, California. (To view all portraits in this collection taken at the E. R. Healy Ground Floor Gallery and for additional information on Edwin and Ada Healy, click on their names in blue above.)
THE SITTER:
Name: Mary R. Formschlag Scott
Description: In this head-and-shoulders portrait, Mary Scott Formschlag Scott wears a dark velvet dress with extremely large sleeves. Her dark hair is parted down the middle and combed to the back of her head. A single, prominent curl hangs from the center of her forehead. A bouquet that is pinned just inside of her projecting left sleeve adorns her dress. The white blotch on the left side of her chest appears to be a flaw in the original print.
Biographical Note:
Family Affiliation: Mary R. Formschlag Scott was the daughter of early Penngrove pioneers, John N. Formschlag (1838-1927) and Elizabeth Formschlag (1847-1909). There is a portrait of Mary’s sister, Louise Formschlag Nissen (1878-1950), in this archive. Mary married Stewart H. Scott (1870-1934), and together they had three children: Harold J. Scott, Wilbur Scott, and Irene E. Scott (1914-1930). Mary, Stewart, and Irene are buried together in Petaluma’s Cypress Hill Memorial Park.
Bibliography:
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: cabinet card
Medium: gelatin or collodion photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front: The photographer’s imprint is embossed along the bottom edge of the card.
Description, back: Handwritten in cursive in ink along the top edge is, “Mary Scott”.
Date: between 1896-1905
Condition: Both sides of this portrait are soiled. A small piece of paper adheres to the bottom right corner of the front side of the card.
Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1978-80-36
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