Maryland photographers collection
Abstract
This collection consists of photographs by Maryland photographers or studios, which are mainly studio portraits of unidentified subjects. Most of the photographs are from Baltimore. Most of the photoprints are mounted on cards imprinted with photographer's or studio's name and address. There are a few images from outside Maryland and a few non-portrait images.
Dates
- 1860-1916
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research use.
Conditions Governing Use
The reproduction of materials in this collection may be subject to copyright restrictions. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine and satisfy copyright clearances or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections. For more information visit the MCHC’s Rights and Permissions page.
Biographical / Historical
Although most of the portraits in this collection are unidentified, the collection documents the institution of studio portrait photography in Maryland, and especially in Baltimore, in the last part of the 19th and in the early 20th century.
Before people had easy access to their own cameras, studio portraiture was especially popular for those who could afford it. Elaborate background sets for formal posed portraiture were the norm, and people certainly donned their best outfits to be photographed. Popular formats included the cabinet card and the carte-de-visite. For a period during the Civil War (Sept. 1, 1864 to Aug. 1, 1866), a tax was levied on photographs, indicated by stamp adhered to the reverse side of the photographs mount; these are most often found on carte-de-visite mounts.
The cards on which portraits were mounted were often elegantly designed and imprinted with the photographer's or studio's name and address, making it possible to trace the geographic distribution of the profession in the city over time.
Extent
0.83 Linear Feet (2 full Hollinger boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
Photographs are arranged alphabetically by name of photographer or studio.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Compilation of various sources, including gift of Catharine Armitage, 1989.
Scope and Contents
The collection consists of two boxes containing 61 photoprints, undated or thought to be made between the 1860s and 1916. The majority are studio portraits of unidentified subjects made by photographers in Maryland, mostly in Baltimore, although there are a few photographs from outside Maryland, and a few non-portrait images by Aubrey Pearre. Most of the photographs are mounted on cards imprinted with the photographer's or studio's name and address.
Source
- Armitage, Catharine (Person)
- Title
- Guide to the Maryland photographers collection
- Status
- Under Revision
- Author
- Katherine Cowan
- Date
- 2000-05
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Revision Statements
- 2020-01-30: Manually entered into ArchivesSpace by Mallory Herberger.
Repository Details
Part of the H. Furlong Baldwin Library Repository
H. Furlong Baldwin Library
Maryland Center for History and Culture
610 Park Avenue
Baltimore MD 21201 United States
4106853750
specialcollections@mdhistory.org