(MILITARY--SPANISH AMERICAN WAR.) ROSS, WILLIAM H. William H. Ross. Fort Douglas March 15, 1899. Co. B, 24th Inf. Large cabinet card photograph with the photographer's stamp on the mount; the reverse with a stamp from one of the companies that made "charcoal," or sometimes called "crayon" portraits," giving the size, etc for the order; a note in ink on the front mount, presumably from a family member, simply says "papa." * Large color "crayon portrait" 20 x 15-3/8 inches drawn from the cabinet card * with a contemporary obituary for Ross. Professional archival repair to the reverse of the "crayon" portrait. Vp, circa 1899-19?
William H. Ross, the subject of this photograph and "Charcoal portrait" fought with Teddy Roosevelt and the "Rough Riders" and participated at the battle of San Juan Hill. What is especially interesting is having both the photograph and the "charcoal," sometimes called "crayon" portrait made from it together. The process involved sending the company, in this case the "National Art and Crayon Co" a photograph. They would then enlarge it and project it on a screen, where an artist would draw over the portrait in crayon. It would be framed and returned. The stamp on the reverse gives all of the dimensions as well as ordering a flat glass. The first time we have seen both photo and portrait together.
