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Title: Bas-relief photograph portrait of George Fritch Author: Taber, Isaiah West and Freeman A. Place: San Francisco Publisher: Taber Date: 1901 Description: Platinum "Bas-Relief" photograph portrait of the California pioneer George Fritch. Circular, 14.5 cm. (5¾") in diameter. In original mat, overall measures 22.3x22.3 cm. (8¾x8¾"). With Taber's imprint embossed beneath the photograph and printed on the back of the mat. A rare Taber bas-relief photograph of George Fritch (b.1829) at age 72 in the year 1901, as per the information written in ink on back. Fritch, a San Francisco coal dealer, at one time operated several schooner to and from the city. A wealthy man and named among the pioneers of California, he was among the few who could afford the very expensive bas-relief portraits offered by Taber Studio in San Francisco. These "embossed photographs" were patented in 1896 by Freeman A. Taber (1841-1910) and marketed by his brother Isaiah West Taber The brothers operated a studio in New York, then later in San Francisco and a syndicate in London. They produced some "embossed" postcards. Very few bas-relief portraits were produced as they were too expensive for the masses. Only five other known Taber bas-reliefs exist, including portraits of Thomas Hill (sold by PBA Galleries in 2007), I.W. Taber portrait (Bancroft library), Mrs. M.Morris and unknown woman (National Library of Australia), Amzi L. Barber (Oberlin College archive), and Raphael Weill (California Historical Society). Lot Amendments Condition: Mat with some yellow spots; else near fine. Item number: 215992