Name/Title
Photo of a Catholic Priest, by Mary K. Morse, c. 1900-1915Entry/Object ID
2017.14.1Description
Acc. No. 17.14.1
Subject Category: Schools of Alameda, Notre Dame Academy
Date or Period: circa 1900-1915
Object: Photograph
Description: Black and white photo with a tan finish mounted on grey paper stock. The photographer's name, Mary K. Morse, is signed at the bottom right corner of the image.
Size: L-13” x W-10”
History of Object: The photograph portrays a Catholic priest, wearing a cassock and biretta holding what appears to be chemistry bottles, standing next to shelving with a variety of bottles and other laboratory artifacts. It is probable that he taught chemistry at Notre Dame Academy in Alameda, a parochial high school. This image was purchased by the donor in 1992 at an Alameda flea market.
About the photographer: Mary (May) R. Morse appears in Shadow Catchers-A Directory of Women in California Photography, 1900-1920, by Peter Palmquist, which states, "Miss Morse, Amateur photographer; member of the Alameda Camera Club; active Alameda (c. 1900; April); Unmarried; exhibited in the First Print Exhibition of the Alameda Camera Club, "One of Miss Morse’s studies is among the best lighted in the exhibition." She served as secretary of the Alameda Camera Club at this time. (Pacific Photo Journal, April 1900, p. 85)
Acquired from: Joseph B. Young
Date: 05/13/2017
