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Calligraphic Calling Card of David Crary, M.D.

Dateabout 1855

MediumPhotography and calligraphy; albumen print and black ink on cardboard mount

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (image height x width): 1 3/16 x 15/16in. (3 x 2.4cm)
Sheet (height x width): 1 3/16 x 15/16in. (3 x 2.4cm)
Mount (height x width): 2 3/8 x 3 7/8in. (6 x 9.8cm)

ClassificationsGraphics

Credit LineGift of Clifford T. Alderman

DescriptionOval bust-length photographic portrait of a bearded man, Dr. David Crary, is beside his name and address, decorated with calligraphic flourishes.

Object number2009.386.1

InscribedOn recto, to right of portrait, "David Crary, M.D. / Hartford / Conn."

On verso, lower right, in black ink, "David Crary M.D. / Hartford / Conn."; lower left, in pencil, accession numberNotesMedium Note: The mount is the same size as a the mounts used for cartes-de-visite and it seems likely that this form of calligraphic calling card is a variation on that classic early form of photograph, incorporaring both a photograhic portrait of the subject, and a hand-written name and address. While cartes-de-visite were originally intended as calling cards and were sometimes used for that purpose, these calligraphic cards were primarily intended for use as calling cards. (Finlay 12/21/2009)

Subject Note: According to a biography of David Crary that was published in The Proceedings of the Connecticut Medical Society (1894), Crary was born and educated in Vermont. He came to Hartford in 1838 to practice medicine and remained there until 1861, when he retired to Vermont. In 1867 in returned to Hartford where he remained in practice until five years before his death in 1894. He is described as "a man who typified some of the best traits of the New England country doctor of the past." He was present when nitrous oxide was administered for the first time for a surgical operation in Connecticut.

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