Early 20th Century Signed Charles R. Higgins Colored Photograph "A Colonial Stairway"

Description

A vintage American hand-colored photograph
Very popular in the early 1900's, the hand tinted photos were a beautiful combination of … more A vintage American hand-colored photograph
Very popular in the early 1900's, the hand tinted photos were a beautiful combination of two forms of art.
Many skilled colorists were quite literally blurring the lines between photography and painting.
Besides colored portraits and family photos, tinted outdoor sceneries, landscapes, and interior genre scenes became art pieces of a kind, increasingly sought after by collectors
The presented here picture is made by Charles R. Higgins (1867-1930)
Although less famous than Wallace Nutting, Chas R. Higgins has an honorable place in the early 20th century array of well known photographers, and his work have become increasingly collectible.
Born in Bath, Maine, he learned the photography art from his father, joined him in his business, and eventually took over the studio after him. He remained in Bath for the rest of his life
As many photographers from the period, Higgins followed the lead of Wallace Nutting, creating and selling hand tinted photos.
His pictures are tastefully colored and then mounted within a platemark indentation on a typical off-white mat. The title was usually hand written lower left beneath the image, and either "Higgings", "Charles R Higgins" or "Chas R Higgins", as in the presented here picture, was signed lower right.
Most of his pictures were sold either locally and nearby, or to visiting tourists.

The presented here image features an interior genre scene with two young women in fancy period attire in front of a staircase

The picture, mounted in a gilded period frame, is ready for display

Measurements: Approx. 22.6" x 9.75" framed; the photo is 13" x 6.25"
Weighs about
Condition: Very Good overall. Please see photos below. Minor wear and discoloration, commensurate with age. All original. less