Pearsall, George Frank Edgar, 1841-1927
Biography
George Frank Edgar Pearsall (born Nov 23, 1841 in New York City) was orphaned at a young age and rasied by an aunt in Saratoga, New York. In 1852, He and his younger brother Alva Adee learned photography business from their uncle Townsend Duryea, once a photographer of Williamsburg.
In 1862, Pearsall was employed with Gurney to refine in photographic skills. He worked with Mr. James L. Forbes, who later became his business assistant. Later in 1870, Pearsall established a photographic gallery in Brooklynn which remained in business until his death in April 1927 in Brooklyn, New York.
In 1873, he was described in the Silver Sunbeam By John Towler as one of the "most successful young photographers ... who practices a method which is both economical and produces uniform results of positioning the picture for trimming." (For a full quote see his full biography here.) In 1880, Pearsall advertised as being the largest photographic establishment in Brooklyn.
In 1883, Pearsall developed a historica camera called the Pearsall's Compact Camera with features that would be compied by all camera manufactures into the 1920s. Another important invetion was in 1884, the Ruby plate holder.
Found in 3 Collections and/or Records:
Walt Whitman at Auction, framed, 1872
Half length photograph of Walt Whitman, wearing a white hat, seated at small desk, facing left; left hand raised to neck. Photograph by G. Frank E. Pearsall. Caption below reads: "This copy of 'Walt Whitman at Auction' is a personal gift from Charles E. Feinberg."
Walt Whitman at Auction, framed, September 1872
Photographic print of Walt Whitman seated at desk, leaning on left hand, wearing a white hat, with caption beneath. Caption reads: "Photo'd from life, Sept. '72, Brooklyn, N. Y. by G. F. E. Pearsall, Fulton St. (Printed by C. F. Spieler, Phila.).
Walt Whitman at Auction, framed
Two identical images of Walt Whitman wearing a white hat, seated at small desk, facing left, left hand raised to neck. Photograph by G. Frank E. Pearsall.
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