Unknown Sad man
This large 23x28 photo is of an unidentified gentleman. It was aquired in a trunk of old Harpers Monthly magazines dated 1851. On back of the portrait written on the wooden frame is:
"Mrs. Van Artsdale, 313 Beaver Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania". I have tried for over 40 years to identify this gentleman, with no luck.
We simply call him "The Sad Man" due to his melancholy expresssion. Can anyone shed some light on who he may be? The address is now part of a business location and I have had no luck in finding any Van Artsdale's to help identify who he was, or if his surname is Van Artsdale. In the early 1960's, I discovered this portrait hidden behind another picture that was in the frame. Evidently he was a man of substance and probably of the merchant class, according to his attire and "hathead" hairstyle. Please help me identify this gentleman.
"Mrs. Van Artsdale, 313 Beaver Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania". I have tried for over 40 years to identify this gentleman, with no luck.
We simply call him "The Sad Man" due to his melancholy expresssion. Can anyone shed some light on who he may be? The address is now part of a business location and I have had no luck in finding any Van Artsdale's to help identify who he was, or if his surname is Van Artsdale. In the early 1960's, I discovered this portrait hidden behind another picture that was in the frame. Evidently he was a man of substance and probably of the merchant class, according to his attire and "hathead" hairstyle. Please help me identify this gentleman.
Date & Place:
at 313 Beaver Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA
Rita Fleener 
Connie Huntling 
