Photograph by
Pearce, H.G., American, active 1860s-1870s
Subject of
Turner, James, American
Unidentified Woman or Women
Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, American, founded 1843
Date
ca. 1873
Medium
collodion and silver on iron with lacquer
Dimensions
H x W (Image and Mount): 4 1/2 × 3 in. (11.4 × 7.6 cm)
Caption
This tintype photograph of a man in Grand United Order of Odd Fellows regalia came into the collection identified as a photograph of James Turner and accompanied by a membership certificate for Turner in the Prince Hall Freemasons Celestial Lodge No. 2 of Rhode Island. It is possible Turner was a member of both the G.U.O.O. F. and the freemasons, or the identification of Turner in the photograph may be a misattribution. The embroidery on the collar “P.N.F.” likely means “Past Noble Father,” the highest degree of Odd Fellowship in the order’s structure. The two unidentified women may have been members of the Household of Ruth, the G.U.O.O.F. women’s auxiliary organization.
Description
A tintype photograph depicting a man identified as James Turner seated in Grand United Order of Odd Fellows regalia and flanked by two standing unidentified women. The tintype is in a magenta colored paper frame with gold designs around the edges. The full-length portrait shows the man sitting in a chair, wearing a dark jacket, vest and pants over a light colored shirt, and wearing a G.U.O.O.F. apron and collar. The wide collar is dark-colored with light colored fringe trim and embroidery on both sides in a vine and flower design. "P. N. F." is embroidered at the top of the proper left side of the collar and a sunburst design is on the proper right side. His proper right hand rests on his knee and he is looking straight at the camera. The two women stand on either side of him, their hands on his shoulders. They both wear ensembles with jackets in a striped fabric with a row of center buttons. They also have small purses on long straps across their chests. The woman on the right wears a light colored bonnet and dark colored gloves, holding a fan in her proper left hand. The woman on the left wears a dark colored hat and fingerless gloves. The cheeks of both women have been given a slightly rosy tint. The back of the frame has the mark of the photographer printed in an elaborate gold ribbon design in the center, [37 Westminster St. / H.G. PEARCE / Providence, R.I.], surrounded by a gold frame with floral motif.
Place captured
Providence, Rhode Island, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Photographs and Still Images
Type
tintypes
Topic
Associations and institutions
Communities
Fraternal organizations
Men
Photography
Reconstruction, U.S. History, 1865-1877
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2011.57.16.1
Restrictions & Rights
Public domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd500053920-6a90-459a-ae78-2ad01e05f67e

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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