Happy 166th birthday, Annie!
Her turn in front of the lens
Happy 166th birthday, Annie!
It’s Annie’s birthday! When she turned 86 on Sunday, June 30, 1946, she celebrated by posing next to a set of classical columns beside abundant flowers. The photographer who coaxed out the character in her subjects dressed in her Sunday best for her turn in front of the lens: proud posture, white gloves, floral hat, pearl necklace, and oversized bow. She was still an active photographer; beneath the years we see a young spirit ready to spring into action.
The photo may have been taken before or after church near 90 Congress St. where Annie was living alone. The location looks different today. It could also have been taken near the home of her niece, Annie Wood Devno of 63 Harris Avenue where Annie had a professional darkroom. If Annie didn’t remotely snap the shutter herself, as she had done many times before, she almost certainly developed and printed the image in that darkroom.
The reverse side is written in Annie’s hand, with only an “86” to indicate this was her 86th birthday.
The designation “Aunt Annie Powell” suggests the photo was probably a gift to her niece, Annie Devno. Decades later, we’ve now deduced that the English woman born as Elizabeth Hannah Townend in Meltham, West Yorkshire, referred to herself as “Annie.” This writing has been important for us in order to see parallels with Annie’s other samples of her handwriting found on documents and photos. Handwriting experts would also take note of the wide spacing between words, exaggerated descending lines on the “J” and “P,” as well as liberal use of periods, as can be seen after the two dates and the word, “Aunt.” In a happy coincidence, the last five letters of “Powell” help us match the much-occurring “Lowell” in other places.
