Uniquely Announced

Edwin Forest Gay married Emily Victoria Borden on November 5th, 1863, and their wedding announcement was quite unusual. Betrothal cards varied from couple to couple, but traditionally they were adorned with names, a border, and little else. It was not customary in the mid nineteenth century to have photos on their announcements.

The cards were small, about two inches in length by one inch in height and were left blank on the back. Customarily, they would be sent out post-nuptials, as announcements to those that did not attend the wedding.

Edwin Gay, a native of Ontario, Canada, was a jeweler prior to opening the photography studio that grew in reputation exponentially within the city. Before long, Gay’s Gallery, was known as one of “the” places to go for portrait photography. After Edwin’s passing in 1879 his wife took over the business.

Winona, one of the Gay’s daughters, having learned the art of photography, fulfilled that position in the studio, at which time her mother assumed the responsibilities of manager. For Emily, who by that time was a “woman of a certain age,” the role was beneficial and required less physical labor.

The photography studio was founded c.1866 and it remained a family operated business for nearly a century and no longer appears in the Fall River city directory in 1945.

The card is simple yet elegant, eggshell in color, and smooth textured. The loving couple, singularly photographed, are facing each other on the card, no doubt a purposeful configuration. The photos are bordered with a non-descript wreath-like pattern with a hyacinth printed between them.

In accordance with the Victorian language of flowers that genus was said to represent happiness and love. How appropriate.