Posted 10 years ago
scottvez
(977 items)
George S. Cook is probably the most well known Southern Photographer.
He opened daguerreotype studios in several cities prior to the Civil War and then settled in Charleston in 1849.
His images of Southerns and War related shots are highly prized among collectors.
This particular image most likely dates to just before the Civil War.
The image is housed in a COOK photographic case with studio information imprinted on the pillow.
Reproduction of these images in any form is prohibited.
scott
For those not familiar with Cook, here is an article that may be of interest:
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/11/the-southern-matthew-brady/?ref=opinion
scott
Wow! Love those pillow cases
The purple and green pillows really stand out more than the typical red.
scott
You have a very nice collection of photos Scott. Thanks for sharing all the info along with them. love the case too...
Really nice very interesting I'm on the hunt!!!
Thanks much for looking and commenting shareurpassion and mike.
scott
Thanks much moonstone!
scott
Thanks florentina and stuff.
scott
I’m interested in the young lady herself, her attire and her pose.
She’s posed to show both hands clearly. Her left hand is bare (no wedding ring), her right hand has 2 rings, one of which is on her 3rd finger.
I wonder if she moved the ring to the right hand from the left, as it is traditionally done when a woman’s husband dies.
Could that ring indicate her status as a widow?
It’s impossible to discern the color of the dress but I’m guessing it is black.
The brooch looks very plain and I’m making another guess that it is mourning jewelry.
What a beautiful case it is with this mysterious, beautiful young lady!
Observations are spot on!
Attire might be mourning.
Also note that the image might be mirrored, making the appearance of rings on the right hand actually be on the left.
I don't have the image anymore, so I cannot examine to determine if the photograph is correct or mirrored.
scott
I had not thought of a mirrored image....so maybe showing a bare left hand was a signal that this lovely young lady is not “spoken for” and might be in the market for a husband, hint, hint. ;-)