Lot 124
William Smith College for women was founded in Geneva, NY in 1908. William Smith, its founder and namesake, had not initially intended to found a womens college. The plan to establish a womens institution in coordination with Hobart College had evolved after much study and discussion. William Smith and his brothers had founded one of the largest and most prosperous nurseries, W. & T. Smith Company, in Geneva in 1846. Mr. Smith took great interest in the development of Geneva and the welfare of its people. He was active in several corporations and built the Smith Opera House where drama and music were made available to the townspeople. He also developed an interest in both spiritualism and astronomy. He built two successive observatories near his house on Castle Street and hired astronomer Dr. William R. Brooks to work there. Smith wished to use his accumulating capital to found a college under spiritualistic auspices. He had planned to situate it in a private park near his house, and had begun excavations for the foundations when it became apparent that the means at his disposal were insufficient for building and endowing a new college. Around this time William Smith was good friends with two ardent suffragettes, Mrs. Elizabeth Smith Miller and her daughter Anne Fitzhugh Miller. The Millers were unusual members of Geneva society, often hosting parties where a variety of friends and visitors were welcomed, including leaders of women's suffrage movements, professors from Cornell, and cultists of all sorts. They wore "bloomers," did their own cooking, and Mrs. Miller even published a cookbook. Like Smith, they had a great interest in ideas and movements and improving human conditions. The William Smith College officially opened in September of 1908 with nineteen students in the first class. The women of the Charter Class came from various places both within and outside of New York State. As the first class to attend William Smith College they were responsible for choosing the school colors, writing the Alma Mater, designing the school seal, and creating the first self-government committee. The platinum / palladium process was invented in the first half of the 19th century but a reliable commercial process was not introduced until the 1880s. It was popular for practical reasons as platinum is very stable so prints do not deteriorate over time. It is a very permanent image, and was highly valued for this reason. The main attraction of platinotype is, however, aesthetic. The process produces wonderfully rich grey-tones and a matte finish due to the print being laid directly on paper without the need for an emulsion. Those characteristics are demonstrated in this wonderful photograph. Please ask specific questions on details, condition, and shipping prior to bidding, ALL ITEMS ARE SOLD AS IS, and the bidder will be responsible for payment. We box and ship what we can to keep costs low, and use USPS and UPS. Large items, extremely fragile, and high value items will be packed by UPS. Quotes available on request
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Dimensions:
- 1.75" x 5.5" Condition:
- Very Good - Excellent Condition
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| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $49 | $5 |
| $50 | $99 | $5 |
| $100 | $199 | $10 |
| $200 | $499 | $25 |
| $500 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $2,999 | $100 |
| $3,000 + | $250 |