Another “Lost and Found Photo”. This lovely photograph caught my eye immediately. Not only is this young lady quite beautiful, but so are her lace dress and pearls. The writing at the bottom of the photo looks like Bauer S. Coffey, Kansas City, Missouri, 1916. At first I thought of Ritchey’s grandmother, Esther Hertz, who lived in Kansas City, Missouri, about that time, but I knew it couldn’t be her. She moved to Kansas City in 1920. Honestly, I didn’t think the young lady’s first name was Bauer, but I did a search just to make sure. And I found several interesting things in my search!
On Ancient Faces I found a photo of Bauer Coffey – or so it would seem. It has the same Bauer S. Coffey, Kansas City, Missouri, 1916, at the bottom of the photo.
This then led me to believe it was not the name of the person, but the studio where the photo was made. Then I also found a query on ancestry.com about another photo:
I HAVE A PHOTO OF A VERY NICE LOOKING MAN. IN THE BOTTOM RIGHT HAND CORNER IT HAS WRITTEN “BAUER (S OR G.) COFFEY ” IT LOOKS LIKE IT SAYS “K-C-MO 1916” IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED IN HAVING THIS PHOTO LET ME KNOW. I BOUGHT THE PICTURE FOR THE FRAME THAT IT CAME IN.
Again, the mistaken idea that it was the gentleman’s name! Finally I found the following in a copy of Abel’s Photographic Weekly, June 12, 1920, Vol. XXV, No. 651, page 585, A Journal for the Professional Photographer, Juan C. Abel, Editor, Charles L. Abel, Associate Editor:
E. C. Tierney, who for many years covered the Kansas City territory for the Eastman Kodak Company, has purchased a half interest in the Bauer & Coffey Studio of Kansas City, Mo., and the studio in future will be known as the Coffey-Tierney Studio.
Finally, a definite answer! The “S” was an “&” – Bauer & Coffey Studio! Always question anything you think is incorrect. A little research is good for the soul – and for your genealogy questions! I still don’t know the name of this beautiful young woman, but perhaps one of you do? Is there no one who recognizes her?
Categories: Family Stories, Genealogy Ramblings, Old Photos
Beautiful pictures, and I appreciate being able to learn from your observations, advice on searching, and questioning. When I looked at the photos, the first thought I had was could she be his daughter..ha, and so I see I have so much to learn,but it’s so neat to. The dress was so pretty ,almost like a bridal dress, and the decorative chair similar to the ones seen in wedding photos… looks young to be a bride though,but sometimes in olden times, sometimes
they did marry very young.
There’s always something to learn – I usually pick up something every day! The dress is very lacy, but without a veil – or a groom! – I believe this looks more like a young lady’s dress of the turn of the century – something she would wear to an afternoon tea or party.