Thomas J. Ricks Photograph Collection, PHC.81

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Thomas J. Ricks Photograph Collection, PHC.81

Abstract

This collection contains 31 5"x7" dry plate glass negatives created by Thomas J. Ricks of Franklin County, NC and 12 tintypes thought to have been collected by Ricks. All of the photographs created by Ricks are portraits thought to have been taken in the Franklin County, NC vicinity. The portraits depict unidentified rural citizens, including African Americans, of varying ages usually formally dressed. Portraits of African Americans represent approximately 1/3 of the negatives in this collection. The tintypes in this collection depict men and women of various ages and are thought to have been collected by Ricks. Due to their age, it is not possible that Ricks created these photographs.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Thomas J. Ricks Photograph Collection
Call Number
PHC.81
Creator
Thomas Jethro Ricks
Date
1860-1920
Repository
State Archives of North Carolina

Series Quick Links

  1. Collection Contents

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], PhC.81, Thomas J. Ricks Photograph Collection, State Archives of North Carolina; Raleigh, NC.

Collection Overview

This collection contains 31 5"x7" dry plate glass negatives created by Thomas J. Ricks of Franklin County, NC and 12 tintypes thought to have been collected by Ricks. All of the photographs created by Ricks are portraits thought to have been taken in the Franklin County, NC vicinity. The portraits depict unidentified rural citizens, including African Americans, of varying ages usually formally dressed. Portraits of African Americans represent approximately 1/3 of the negatives in this collection. The tintypes in this collection depict men and women of various ages and are thought to have been collected by Ricks. Due to their age, it is not possible that Ricks created these photographs.

The images created by Ricks are commissioned, full and half length portraits. Subjects are seen against various backgrounds throughout the series. The backgrounds include a wrinkled cloth backdrop attached to a building with wooden clapboard siding, clapboard sided building without backdrop, the front porch of a residence, and a bush near the front of previously mentioned residence. This may suggest that Ricks operated his studio out of his home. The less refined technical nature of the photographs and the fact that most were taken outdoors, suggest a rural, home-operated photography business rather than a more professional studio photographer or itinerant photographer traveling to various locations.

The tintypes collected by Ricks appear to date from the late 1860s to 1870s. Drip (pour) lines can be seen on many of the tintypes suggesting an earlier manufacture date. By the 1890s use of gelatin dry plates for both glass and metal substrates was becoming more common. Artifacts such as dust suspended in the emulsion and drip lines along the edges of plates were largely eliminated as a result of the mass production of photographic materials by Kodak and other companies.

Hand tinting and/or retouching can be seen on most tintypes in the collection. The hand tinting of a subjects face, primarily the cheeks, was a practice popular in the 1860s through the 1870s with its popularity waning during the 1880s.

Biographical/Historical

Thomas Jethro Ricks (12 July 1875-30 December 1935) According to United States Census records, Ricks was listed as a farmer until 1910. The 1920 census is the first time his occupation is listed as a photographer. It is believed that Ricks learned the trade and started his photography business sometime in the mid 1910s.

Contents of the Collection

Collection Contents
Negative and Contact Print, 1915-1920
PHC.81.01

Dry plate glass negative and contact print with two separate frames depicting two young women posing for full length portraits. No date; estimated 1915-1920 (gelatin dry plate glass negative and contact print, 5"x7")

Negative and Contact Print, 1915-1920
PHC.81.02

Dry plate glass negative and contact print depicting a young man posing against a stone wall in an overcoat and hat. No date; estimated 1915-1920 (gelatin dry plate glass negative and contact print, 5"x7")

Negative and Contact Print, 1915-1920
PHC.81.03

Dry plate glass negative and contact print divided into three frames, one left blank. Right vertical frame depicts an African American woman, approximately 30 years old, posing for a full length portrait in black dress. Left horizontal portrait depicts an African American man, approximately 25 years old, posing for full length portrait. No date; estimated 1915-1920 (gelatin dry plate glass negative and contact print, 5"x7")

Negative and Contact Print, 1915-1920
PHC.81.04

Dry plate glass negative and contact print divided into two frames. Left, vertical frame depicts man posing for a portrait against the side of a building. Right frame depicts two men sitting in a carriage being pulled by a horse. No date; estimated 1915-1920 (gelatin dry plate glass negative and contact print, 5"x7")

Negative and Contact Print, 1915-1920
PHC.81.05

Dry plate glass negative and contact print divided into three frames, one left blank. Top, horizontal frame depicts two men sitting in a carriage being pulled by a horse. Bottom left frame depicts woman, approximately 35 years old, holding hands to face. No date; estimated 1915-1920 (gelatin dry plate glass negative and contact print, 5"x7")

Negative and Contact Print, 1915-1920
PHC.81.06

Dry plate glass negative and contact print divided into three frames. All three frames depict individual young men approximately 20-25 years old, posing for a full length portrait outdoors near a porch railing. No date; estimated 1915-1920 (gelatin dry plate glass negative and contact print, 5"x7")

Negative and Contact Print, 1915-1920
PHC.81.07

Dry plate glass negative and contact print divided into three frames. Top two horizontal frames depict two pictures of an infant sitting in a wooden chair. Bottom frame depicts a young woman sitting at a piano, reading music. No date; estimated 1915-1920 (gelatin dry plate glass negative and contact print, 5"x7")

Negative and Contact Print, 1915-1920
PHC.81.08

Dry plate glass negative and contact print divided into two frames. Left frame depicts a man and a woman, approximately 25 years old, posing for a full length portrait. Right frame depicts an African American young woman, approximately 20-25 years old in a coat and dress, sitting in a chair for a portrait. No date; estimated 1915-1920 (gelatin dry plate glass negative and contact print, 5"x7")

Negative and Contact Print, 1915-1920
PHC.81.09

Dry plate glass negative and contact print divided into two frames. Left frame depicts a young woman and child. Right frame is severely over exposed, but appears to depict a similar scene. No date; estimated 1915-1920 (gelatin dry plate glass negative and contact print, 5"x7")

Negative and Contact Print, 1915-1920
PHC.81.10

Dry plate glass negative and contact print divided into two frames. Left frame depicts a young woman in a dress, approximately 25 years old, posing for a full length portrait. Right frame depicts an infant in a stroller with a female toddler standing beside. No date; estimated 1915-1920 (gelatin dry plate glass negative and contact print, 5"x7")

Negative and Contact Print, 1915-1920
PHC.81.11

Dry plate glass negative and contact print divided into two frames. Left frame depicts a formally dressed African American man and a woman, approximately 25 years old, posing for a full length portrait. Right frame depicts another African American couple in the same pose and dress. No date; estimated 1915-1920 (gelatin dry plate glass negative and contact print, 5"x7")

Negative and Contact Print, 1915-1920
PHC.81.12

Dry plate glass negative and contact print divided into three frames, one blank. Top, vertical frame depicts a formally dressed African American young woman, approximately 20-25 years old, sitting in a chair for a portrait. Bottom vertical frame depicts woman in overcoat standing against backdrop. No date; estimated 1915-1920 (gelatin dry plate glass negative and contact print, 5"x7")

Negative and Contact Print, 1915-1920
PHC.81.13

Dry plate glass negative and contact print divided into two frames. Both frames depict individual young men approximately 20-25 years old, posing for a full length portrait outdoors near a porch railing. No date; estimated 1915-1920 (gelatin dry plate glass negative and contact print, 5"x7")

Negative and Contact Print, 1915-1920
PHC.81.14

Dry plate glass negative and contact print divided into four frames. Top left frame depicts a man in a hat posing next to a porch railing with foot up on porch. Top right and bottom left frame are blank. Bottom right frame depicts two men posing together for a full length portrait. No date; estimated 1915-1920 (gelatin dry plate glass negative and contact print, 5"x7")

Negative and Contact Print, 1915-1920
PHC.81.15

Dry plate glass negative and contact print divided into four frames. All four frames depict individual African American young men approximately 20-25 years old, sitting in a chair with crossed legs, posing for portraits. Individuals all have identical poses. No date; estimated 1915-1920 (gelatin dry plate glass negative and contact print, 5"x7")

Negative and Contact Print, 1915-1920
PHC.81.16

Dry plate glass negative and contact print divided into two frames. Left frame depicts a man and woman couple, approximately 20-25 years old. Right frame depicts a man with a woman standing on either side of him. No date; estimated 1915-1920 (gelatin dry plate glass negative and contact print, 5"x7")

Negative and Contact Print, 1915-1920
PHC.81.17

Dry plate glass negative and contact print. Two small girls, approximately 3-4 years old pose together on a porch. Small portion of bottom part of negative is broken off and missing. No date; estimated 1915-1920 (gelatin dry plate glass negative and contact print, 5"x7")

Negative and Contact Print, 1915-1920
PHC.81.18

Dry plate glass negative and contact print divided into two frames. Left frame depicts a young girl, approximately 2 years old sitting outdoors on a porch. Right frame depicts same girl standing outdoors on a porch. No date; estimated 1915-1920 (gelatin dry plate glass negative and contact print, 5"x7")

Negative and Contact Print, 1915-1920
PHC.81.19

Dry plate glass negative and contact print divided into four frames. Top left frame depicts a man and woman couple posing for a full length portrait. Top right, woman poses in dress for full length portrait. Bottom left, man with hat poses for full length portrait. Bottom right, man with different style hat poses for full length portrait. No date; estimated 1915-1920 (gelatin dry plate glass negative and contact print, 5"x7")

Negative and Contact Print, 1915-1920
PHC.81.20

Dry plate glass negative and contact print divided into two frames. Left frame depicts an infant sitting in a chair, outdoors. Right frame depicts young, formally dressed couple posing for full length portrait. No date; estimated 1915-1920 (gelatin dry plate glass negative and contact print, 5"x7")

Negative and Contact Print, 1915-1920
PHC.81.21

Dry plate glass negative and contact print divided into three frames. Top frame depicts a young couple, seated, posing for a portrait. Bottom left frame depicts a man and woman posing for a portrait. Bottom right frame depicts two women, one seated with one man, posing for a portrait. No date; estimated 1915-1920 (gelatin dry plate glass negative and contact print, 5"x7")

Negative and Contact Print, 1915-1920
PHC.81.22

Dry plate glass negative and contact print divided into three frames. Top frame depicts a young man and woman couple seated on a blanket outdoors, posing for a portrait. Bottom left frame depicts a woman seated. Bottom right frame depicts a man with mustache (possibly Thomas J. Ricks) looking directly into camera posing for half length portrait. No date; estimated 1915-1920 (gelatin dry plate glass negative and contact print, 5"x7")

Negative and Contact Print, 1915-1920
PHC.81.23

Dry plate glass negative and contact print divided into two frames. Left frame depicts an infant sitting in a wooden chair. Right frame depicts three young men, approximately 20-25 years old, posing for full length portrait. No date; estimated 1915-1920 (gelatin dry plate glass negative and contact print, 5"x7")

Negative and Contact Print, 1915-1920
PHC.81.24

Dry plate glass negative and contact print divided into three frames. Top left frame is blank. Top right frame depicts four children. Boy and girl are seen standing in front of another boy and girl couple that are seated in front of them. Bottom frame depicts a half length portrait of a man with mustache (possibly Thomas J. Ricks) No date; estimated 1915-1920 (gelatin dry plate glass negative and contact print, 5"x7")

Negative and Contact Print, 1915-1920
PHC.81.25

Dry plate glass negative and contact print divided into three frames. Top frame depicts young man and woman couple, looking at one another, smiling. Bottom left frame blank. Bottom right frame depicts man holding an object in his hands looking at woman (with hat). Woman is seen looking at man and without her hat. No date; estimated 1915-1920 (gelatin dry plate glass negative and contact print, 5"x7")

Negative and Contact Print, 1915-1920
PHC.81.26

Dry plate glass negative and contact print divided into two frames. Left frame depicts a seated man and woman and another couple standing behind. Both couples are looking at one another. Right frame depicts only seated couple, looking at one another. No date; estimated 1915-1920 (gelatin dry plate glass negative and contact print, 5"x7")

Negative and Contact Print, 1915-1920
PHC.81.27

Dry plate glass negative and contact print divided into two frames. Left frame depicts a formally dressed African American young woman posing for a full length portrait. Right frame depicts same woman standing beside a seated African American man, approximately 20-25 years old. No date; estimated 1915-1920 (gelatin dry plate glass negative and contact print, 5"x7")

Negative and Contact Print, 1915-1920
PHC.81.28

Dry plate glass negative and contact print divided into three frames. Top frame depicts four young men approximately 20 years old, standing beside one another, posing for half length portrait. Bottom left frame depicts three young men approximately 20 years old, standing beside one another, posing for half length portrait. Bottom right frame depicts two young men approximately 20 years old, standing beside one another, posing for half length portrait. No date; estimated 1915-1920 (gelatin dry plate glass negative and contact print, 5"x7")

Negative and Contact Print, 1915-1920
PHC.81.29

Dry plate glass negative and contact print divided into three frames. Top frame depicts two women, approximately 30 years old, standing to the right of a formally dressed young man for half length portrait. Bottom left frame depicts four small children standing on porch steps. Bottom right frame is a close view of smallest child from previous frame. No date; estimated 1915-1920 (gelatin dry plate glass negative and contact print, 5"x7"

Negative and Contact Print, 1915-1920
PHC.81.30

Dry plate glass negative and contact print divided into two frames. Left frame depicts a woman, approximately 30 years old, standing outdoors in a dress for a full length portrait. Right frame depicts an older woman, approximately 50-55 years old, right side profile, half length portrait. No date; estimated 1915-1920 (gelatin dry plate glass negative and contact print, 5"x7")

Negative and Contact Print, 1915-1920
PHC.81.31

Dry plate glass negative and contact print divided into two frames. Left frame depicts a seated, older man, approximately 55-60 years old. A masonic logo hangs from his watch chain. Right frame depicts an African American young man posing for full length portrait. No date; estimated 1915-1920 (gelatin dry plate glass negative and contact print, 5"x7")

Tintype, 1870-1880
PHC.81.32

Tintype depicting a mother and child. Child is seen sitting in lap of mother. No date; estimated 1870-1880 (Bon Ton sized tintype, 2.5"x3.5")

Tintype, 1870-1880
PHC.81.33

Tintype depicting a formally dressed man in a hat. Gold painted details- buttons ring on right hand. Hand tinted cheeks. No date; estimated 1870-1875 (Bon Ton sized tintype, 2.75"x4")

Tintype, 1870-1880
PHC.81.34

Tintype depicting a man, approximately 30 years old, wearing a bowler hat. No date; estimated 1870-1880 (Bon Ton sized tintype, 2.5"x3.5")

Tintype, 1870-1880
PHC.81.35

Tintype depicting a balding man with a beard. No date; estimated 1870-1880 (Bon Ton sized tintype, 2.25"x3.75")

Tintype, 1870-1880
PHC.81.36

Tintype depicting a bearded man with ceremonial headwear. Possibly Zouave. No date; estimated 1870-1880 (Bon Ton sized tintype, 2.25"x3.75")

Tintype, 1870-1880
PHC.81.37

PhC.81.37 -Tintype depicting a man, approximately 25 years old. No date; estimated 1870-1880 (Gem sized tintype, 2.5"x3.5")

Tintype, 1870-1880
PHC.81.38

PhC.81.38 -Tintype depicting a small child, approximately 3-4 years old sitting in a chair for a half length portrait. No date; estimated 1870-1880 (Gem sized tintype, 2"x3.5")

Tintype, 1870-1880
PHC.81.39

PhC.81.39 -Tintype depicting a young man posing for a half length portrait. No date; estimated 1870-1880 (Gem sized tintype, 1.75"x2.5")

Tintype, 1870-1880
PHC.81.40

PhC.81.40 -Tintype depicting an infant male (?) approximately 1 year old. No date; estimated 1870-1880 (Gem sized tintype, 1.75"x2.25")

Tintype, 1870-1880
PHC.81.41

Tintype depicting a woman approximately 35-40 years old. No date; estimated 1870-1880 (Gem sized tintype, 1.5"x2.25")

Tintype, 1870-1880
PHC.81.42

Tintype depicting a bearded and rough looking man, approximately 35-40 years old. No date; estimated 1870-1880 (Gem sized tintype, 1.75"x2")

Tintype, 1870-1880
PHC.81.43

Tintype depicting a bearded man approximately 25-30 years old. No date; estimated 1870-1880 (Gem sized tintype, 1.75"x2")

Subject Headings

  • Tintype
  • Photographers
  • Photography of women
  • African Americans
  • Fashion
  • Franklin County (N.C.)
  • North Carolina
  • Negatives (photographic)