Description: This photograph shows an infant seated on the lap of his mother, who is covered head to toe in a black sheet. This technique, referred to as the "Hidden Mother," was often used in turn-of-the-century child photography. Handwriting on the negative reads "Miss Gay Eling [or Fling]. Purdy WVA. 8 cab Paid All." The photograph was taken by traveling photographer Albert J. Ewing, ca. 1896-1912. Like most of Ewing's work, it was taken in southeastern Ohio or central West Virginia. Born in 1870 in Washington County, Ohio, near Marietta, Ewing’s photography career most likely began in the 1890s. The 1910 US Census and a 1912-1913 directory list him as a photographer. A negative signed "Ewing Brothers" and a picture with his younger brother, Frank, indicate that Frank may have joined the business. After 1916, directories list Albert as a salesman. He died in 1934. The Ewing Collection consists of 5,055 glass plate negatives, each individually housed and numbered. Additionally, the collection includes approximately 450 modern contact prints made from the glass plate negatives. Subjects include infants and young children, elderly people, families, school and religious groups, animals and rural scenes. In 1982, the Ohio Historical Society received the collection, still housed in the original dry plate negative boxes purchased by Albert J. Ewing. A selection of the original glass plate negatives were exhibited for the first time in 2013 at the Ohio Historical Center. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AV71_b15_f917
Subjects: Ewing, Albert J. (1870-1934); Portrait photography--United States--History; Children; Hidden Mother
Places: Ohio; West Virginia