UNDATED – A CdV photo shows Martha Minna Rößler (1892-1978) in a photo studio in Kiel, Germany. Photo: Kurt Scherf
The story behind the image
A while ago I shared a photo showing Franz Otto Rößler. This is his first daughter, Martha Minna Rößler, photographed by Kurt Scherf in Kiel, Germany, who owned the Atelier Victoria. I’d estimate Marthas age at 19 or 20 years, so the photo was probably taken in or around 1912.
Here’s why.
She already wears an engagement ring quite prominently on her left hand. This was probably given to her by her fiance and future husband, Karl Emil Arnold Friederich.
Martha was born 1892 in Lütjenburg in Northern Germany where the Rößler family lived at the time. The family moved on to Plön (in 1893) and finally to Heiligenhafen (in 1896) where she grew up. She even got married to Karl Friederich in Heiligenhafen in July 1915. Karl was born in Meldorf close to the North Sea but had moved to Krempe to become the treasurer of the town. But the marriage took place in Heiligenhafen where Martha’s parents lived. In 1978, she died in Glückstadt.
This photo is part of an awesome photo collection that consists of 30+ images showing the Rößler family from Saxonia and Northern Germany. Extensive handwritten notes on the back of the photos add and preserve context. These notes appear to be quite accurate with just minor deviations here and there.
In this portrait I like Martha’s confidence. The days of childhood had long gone, and now she was engaged to a promising man, ready to take on the challenges ahead.
* * *
Little is known on Kurt Scherf, the photographer. He was a long-time photographer and publisher and ran the Atelier Viktoria in Kiel, Holstenstraße 57, at least from 1908 to 1916. At some point in time he moved on to Holstenstraße 55 (as per the address book of 1922) and later to Willestraße 2 (where he was listed in the year 1940). Then his trace is lost.
Design ideas
The high resolution image
| Capture Date | c. 1912 |
| Photographer | Kurt Scherf, Kiel |
| Location | Kiel, Germany |
| Image Source | Albumen print from negative, mounted, CdV format (c. 5 x 11 cm) |
| Digital Image Source | EPSON Perfection 4870 Photo |
| Digital Image Source Format | TIFF, 48 bits/pixel, sRGB |
| Edited Image Format | JPEG, 24 bits/pixel, sRGB |
| Edited Image Dimensions | 4901 x 10175 Pixels |
| Copyright | Photo © Kurt Scherf, Kiel Scan © Mark Zanzig/zanzig.com |
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