A Study of the Hand,1888
SOLD June 2016 |
Roughly cabinet-card sized albumen print on larger board mount showing a plump female hand with ring holding a glass of bubbly champagne, by Edward C. Dana, NYC, circa 1888. Signed in the negative "Copyright by Dana 1888" and titled on mount "Copyright by Dana, 1888. / A Study of the Hand by Dana / Printed on Ex. Brilliant N. P. A. Albumen Paper." Overall dimensions of mount 9 x 5.5 inches (23x14 cm). Print size 5.75 x 4 inches (14x10 cm).
Edward C. Dana reportedly became interested in photography through exposure to photographic images of the American Civil War. He operated photographic studios in New York City beginning in the 1870s, and was a noted photographer of celebrities. Dana's talent was recognized by numerous period photographic awards and the opening of two branch studios, one of them in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Unfortunately his career ended abruptly in 1897, when he succumbed to cancer at the age of 44, only shortly after a wedding in which he took as bride Ada B. Sherman.*
[*Biographical information on Dana from Broadway Photographs Online Biography - retrieved 4/1/16 - >link< .]
