Olive Oatman, 1865.
This photo (courtesy Patricia Carreon) didn’t make it into my book. It was taken in Rochester, soon after Olive was married in 1865, when she was about 28. She sent a copy to her Oregon friend, Abi Colver, and inscribed the back as follows: “How do you do, my friend and sister? I do not know whether to call you Abi Colver or not for I have not heard whether you are married or not–please write me direct to Rochester NY.”
hello – today i found one of these among a box of carte de visites bought at an auction in new england. mine is in considerably better condition. on the back it is inscribed ‘Olive Oatman Rochester’ beneath the photographer’s emblem. i’m not sure exactly why i’m telling you this, but i’m so intrigued by her and thought you would appreciate learning of another example of this image.
– christina
That’s fantastic! Be sure to hold onto it since I’ve only ever seen one of these (mine was supplied by a Ca. relative of Oatman’s).
hello again – i’m interested in comparing the signature on the back of my cdv to the one owned by her descendant. would you put me in contact with her? perhaps you might forward this note and my email address? or i could send pics to you to forward. also, i have a similar cdv of a man who i wonder if maybe is her husband. thank you! – christina
hello – i’ve tried twice to respond to your email with pics, both times it got bounced back which is weird because i just hit ‘reply’. is their another address i can try? – christina