On eBay Now...Mount Vernon George Washington Home 8"x10" Photograph Photo Late 1800s For Sale
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Mount Vernon George Washington Home 8"x10" Photograph Photo Late 1800s:
$288.88
Rare group photo.11" x 14"Image is 8" x 11"Back marked May 24 ... is this May 24 of some unknown year?Evidence points to late 19th centuryTitled:Home of Washington, Mount Vernon, VA.
Luke C. Dillon,Photographer,/Washington, D.C.(Imprinted lower left).
Office 935 Penn. Avenue, /Pullman’s Gallery.(Imprinted lower right).
Photograph showing the left end and front facade of Washington’s residence in Mount Vernon, Virginia, along with a large group of people. Ink notation on the reverse side: “Mother and Father - on “Wedding trip” / on front - center of picture.” Unidentified.
Toning, fading, soiling to the image and mounting board. The mounting board is bumped and chipped. Overall good condition.
Historical Notes from Mount Vernon’s web page:
Luke Dillon
The Council (at Mount Vernon) voted to select Luke Dillon as the next "official" photographer in 1883. From the start, it was evident that his approach to taking photographs for the Association would be different from either Gardner or Johnson. An enthusiastic journalist writing for a local paper in 1884 about Mount Vernon commented that "a novel feature has been added to the attractions - visitors are photographed with the house itself." Whereas the previous two photographers attempted to document mostly the historical buildings of Mount Vernon through photography, Dillon sought equally the opportunity to immortalize its visitors.
Dillon soon realized that passengers traveling to Mount Vernon by boat also could be enticed to have their picture taken while en route. Beginning in 1887, reports revealed that Dillon was "annoying" visitors on the boat and on the grounds. Complaints portray Dillon as having frequently solicited visitors as photographic subjects. He then sold the views out of his office in Washington because they featured visitors and not Mount Vernon. In this way. Dillon was making money on the side. The Association ultimately resorted to sending an official reprimand to Dillon for his zealous behavior.
Having heard various complaints from the visitors, the Vice-Regent for Massachusetts moves that Mr. Dillon the photographer be ordered to refrain from importuning the public in regard to having their photographs taken. And also giving information about the Mansion. That he should give his attention to his legitimate business of selling views of Mount Vernon, and only take groups when requested, as by doing otherwise he is not keeping within his contract.
A year after this letter was issued to Dillon, the Association observed that Dillon had complied fully with this request.
Luke Dillon conducted his business until the end of his contract with few additional incidents of "importuning" visitors. When his contract did expire, the Association decided that with regard to making exclusive contract with photographers "it is at present inexpedient to restrict this right." In 1894, the Council again declined to enter an agreement with any other photographer.
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