Colby

From a master’s thesis “CARTE-DE-VISITE CULTURE IN MANCHESTER NH: A CASE STUDY,” found online:

Lyman Colby occupied his studio…from at least 1875 to 1900…Colby suffered a …dramatic death, details of which graced the cover of the Union Leader of June 22, 1900, in the form of an article rather than a formal obituary. The dramatic title, “Hand to Breast, Lyman W. Colby Complained of Being Ill, DROPPED TO GROUND, DEAD,” is startling and immediately captures the attention of the reader. The article describes the “sad demise of the well known Manchester photographer in the Concord Passenger Station – One of the best known business men of the Queen City.” Colby had been a photographer in Manchester for thirty-five years, occupying a “ten-footer gallery” for some time before he took up a more sufficient studio residence at 1094 Elm Street. The article states that “by his artistic and finished workmanship, and his square and honest dealing with all whom he came in contact with, he made a name for himself and his business that was respected throughout the city and state”…The author’s description implies that Colby’s cartes-de-visite were valued not just as photographic documents but as art objects.”

Colby’s address on the verso of 30687 in the Opera block indicates the photo was taken after 1894, according to addresses in early City Directories.