More images from the collection of Emma Beauvais Thomas Grumley.
This is the twelfth post in this series.
For those of you who are just coming on board, all of these images are part of a collection that once belonged to young Emma Thomas, daughter of William Lyman and Catherine (Kate) Sutton Thomas. I assume all were friends, acquaintances or family of Emma’s. She wrote her name on the back of many of them to identify her as the owner but many have no information to identify the subjects.
Vintage images such as these found in a tag sale or antique store would have only a small amount of value. These are important because they all belonged to Emma and are a good record of the many people in her life. She was born on land that once belonged to her grandfather, James C. Sutton. It is land that would one day become Maplewood. Emma lived here her entire life.
From these images of Emma’s people we can all have a good look at the populous of our neighborhoods many years before any of us came along.
As you may recall I have been going through Emma’s collection in alphabetical order according to the studios that produced the images. On the last post in this series, we had made it into the S,s.
There is only one image from the Stephens Studio in Rushville, Indiana.The back of the prior image.There are three images from the Strauss Studio.This one has the year in the bottom right corner.I imagine that these cabinet card images were exchanged through the US Mail. It makes sense to also imagine that each studio could furnish an appropriately sized envelope for their product. If that is true and that is what this is, it is the only one that I can ever recall seeing. If the building shown belonged to Strauss Studio…Wow!This one is rare because it has the name of the subject, John W. Barton.Record of his marriage license is all I found on Newspapers.com.The back of Mr. Barton’s image.This interesting character has nothing to identify him with.His image also has the year displayed in the bottom right corner.Emma’s collection has two from the Thomson Studio in Kansas City.
He had an interesting contrast between the sparse hair on the top of his head and the chin whiskers run wild.No ID on this one, either.I had these in a file I called Three Boys. Remember, we’re into the T’s now.The first three images are of these same fellows.Other than knowing they are Saint Cecelia’s husband and his wicked friends, I have no idea what their names were.We do know the three images were made in June of 1896. That’s not nothin’.But how about these three characters also from the Three Boys file? Are these the same guys? I truly don’t know.Here is the back of their Genelli cabinet card.Also from the Three Boys file.Here is the single tintype from the Tintype file. Make what you will of it and when you have, let the rest of us know what this is all about.
OK. We’ve finished with the T’s. We still have enough of Emma’s collection for another good post, the thirteenth in the series. I don’t have to remind you that we have the kindness and generosity of Chrissie Hayes McConnell to thank for sharing her family images and artifacts with us.
We’ve had some seriously warm days. Seems to me like they took a long time to get here but I’m happy now. See you at the pool.
Well, “St. Cecelia’s husband” has some related meaning with the story above. Perhaps a familiar story among folks who attended St. Cecelia Church in south city? And commentary on three rascals? A school is still there too. A side-eye joke, I would guess. 😉 Period clothing would be a help from those in the know. Fun to peruse the photos none the less!
According to the Oxford Dictionary of Saints, a 5th-century legend says that Saint Cecilia was a young Roman patrician who was a Christian. She was betrothed to the pagan Valerian but had already consecrated her virginity to God and refused to consummate the marriage. She converted Valerian and his brother Tiburtius, but they were then arrested and executed. After several failed attempts, Cecilia was also martyred. This story unfortunately sheds no light at all on the photo caption, as it is not clear whether the man in the photo reflects Valerian’s character before or after his conversion.
Esley, I was not familiar with the story behind Saint Cecilia but I am now. I suppose we can assume that whoever inscribed those words on that image either was a Catholic or was trying to humor one. I guess that really doesn’t narrow it down much, does it? I got a kick out of your comment. Thanks.
Here’s a photo of the Strauss Studio building: https://bit.ly/3xLJfOS There is a portrait studio with ties to the company at: https://bit.ly/3yb7BDo
Wow! That’s wild. Strauss was his first name. Thanks, Tim, for adding all of this information to our story.
Well, “St. Cecelia’s husband” has some related meaning with the story above. Perhaps a familiar story among folks who attended St. Cecelia Church in south city? And commentary on three rascals? A school is still there too. A side-eye joke, I would guess. 😉 Period clothing would be a help from those in the know. Fun to peruse the photos none the less!
The meaning is lost to time. I enjoy the images, too. Thanks for your comment, Pickett.
According to the Oxford Dictionary of Saints, a 5th-century legend says that Saint Cecilia was a young Roman patrician who was a Christian. She was betrothed to the pagan Valerian but had already consecrated her virginity to God and refused to consummate the marriage. She converted Valerian and his brother Tiburtius, but they were then arrested and executed. After several failed attempts, Cecilia was also martyred. This story unfortunately sheds no light at all on the photo caption, as it is not clear whether the man in the photo reflects Valerian’s character before or after his conversion.
Esley, I was not familiar with the story behind Saint Cecilia but I am now. I suppose we can assume that whoever inscribed those words on that image either was a Catholic or was trying to humor one. I guess that really doesn’t narrow it down much, does it? I got a kick out of your comment. Thanks.